When to travel to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is generally divided into two main seasons:
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the dry season, or summer (verano), from January to April,
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the rainy season, or winter (invierno), from May to December.
However, due to the many microclimates that characterize the country, weather conditions can vary considerably from one region to another. In order to offer you the best possible experience, we have carefully studied data from the National Meteorological Institute to recommend the best times of year to visit each region.
GUANACASTE
NOV. - AUG.
NOV. - AUG.
PUNTARENAS
DEC. - APR.
NORTHERN PLAINS
DEC. - APR.
JUL. - AUG.
CENTRAL VALLEY
JAN. - JUN.
SEP. - OCT.
CARRIBEAN
DEC. - APR.
CENTRAL PACIFIC
DEC. - APR.
SOUTH PACIFIC
GUANACASTE & PUNTARENAS
Guanacaste and the southern Nicoya Peninsula, part of the Puntarenas region, are Costa Rica's driest areas. The seasons are particularly marked here, with localities recording little or no rainfall during the dry season, a true paradise for sun lovers. The beginning and end of the rainy season are also pleasant, allowing you to enjoy the beaches and landscapes almost all year round. However, Monteverde, famous for its cloud forests, remains humid all year round.
Recommended months: November to August.
CENTRAL VALLEY
Although this region follows the same rainy/dry season pattern as Guanacaste, rainfall is more abundant throughout the year. However, July and August offer sunny, clear days, creating a veranillo in the middle of the rainy season.
Recommended months: December to April, July and August.
NORTHERN PLAINS, CENTRAL PACIFIC & SOUTH PACIFIC
These regions follow the same rainy/dry season pattern as the previous ones, but rainfall is more frequent throughout the year. It is therefore advisable to visit them during the dry season to fully enjoy the scenery.
Recommended months: December to April.
CARRIBEAN
Unlike the rest of the country, the Caribbean region experiences little variation in rainfall and remains generally rainy throughout the year. However, it's during the months of September and October, at the heart of the rainy season elsewhere, that the weather conditions are most favorable for exploring this region.
Recommended months: January to June, September and October.
Costa Rica is an ideal destination for wellness and adventure tourism, whatever the time of year! While the dry season (January to April) remains the best for exploring the whole country, September and October are the best months for discovering the Caribbean coast. Finally, July and August form a “little summer” (veranillo) in the Central Valley and the northern Pacific, offering particularly pleasant conditions.
