For example, both La Fortuna and San Jose are in the middle of the country, but they experience somewhat different weather. These first few months of the dry season are particularly pleasant since the weather condition is warm and the skies are clear. The Nicoya Peninsula and the mountainous area around Rincon de la Vieja National Park have slight rainfalls compared to other places. There are two distinct seasons in Costa Rica. You'll pay more, deal with bigger crowds, and less availability for rooms, flights, and rentals, but hey - it's peak season for a reason. You will notice that some are closer to the roads, and their health starts to pick up. Here comes the part of our guide that many would flash by the headlines. are many perks of traveling in rainy season, Where to Find Black Sand Beaches in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Experts Wins 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award, Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Month by Month, 8 Costa Rica Natural Mysteries You Have to See to Believe, 10 Top Costa Rica Honeymoon Bungalows & Suites, 3 Costa Rica Hotels Made The Travel & Leisure Top 100 in the World List, Costa Rica Expert Interview with Aaron Daker: top destinations, new hotels, & best months to travel. Nicaragua's total GDP is approx. In Nicaragua the rainy season means an hour of rain in the afternoon, and it's gorgeous at this time of year. To the North, the Nation borders Nicaragua, and to the South, it has Panama. The worst time to visit Costa Rica is in September and October when lashing rains and floods wash out bridges and roads. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: When to Go & When to Avoid The best months during this dry season are November through April because of a lower risk of rain. Nicaragua folklore dress code. Natural Science Museum La Salle Courtesy of phaitoon - Fotolia.com Latino U.S.A reported that during elections, there are economic tensions during the election month in Costa Rica. The hottest month of the year is usually just about 3 degrees Celsius warmer than . Less favorable weather means fewer crowds hence cheaper costs. While the days are still warm, nighttime temperatures can drop to -20C, and some tours have pre-dawn starts. This Central American nation located between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts is endowed with wild rainforests, spectacular national parks, roaring waterfalls, and other natural wonders. The dry season has plenty of sunshine, making it ideal for wildlife watching, beach lounging, and indulging in outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. There are some places which, if you make the right decisions on when to visit them, will give you the most extraordinary experience you will ever have. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 91 F and average low is 74 F. There are about 10 days of rain and 4 inches of rain falling during the month. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. July is very similar to June, with about 16 rainy days and 7 inches of rainfall throughout the month. The weather is phenomenal and rainfall tapers off considerably, so there are still reasons to go during this time. The hottest months of the year in Costa Rica are from February to April, with March or April typically having the highest daily temperatures. James Kaiser has guided visitors on when they should visit different places. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. Click here to learn how to make the most out of your trip. Theres something for everyone here youve just got to know the best time to visit Costa Rica to plan the ideal vacation! Things to do | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica Tourism Official website Overall, the winter months (the driest months) and the summer months of July and August (which have a bit of a lull during the rainy season) are the best times to visit Costa Rica. Mexico or Costa Rica? This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it an ideal. February and March are the best months for the Limon cruise port while July is the worst. $264. The event brings in more than 1500 musicians who will entertain you. The tradeoff is that there are higher numbers of tourists, and prices on hotels are higher (and they also fill up faster). The north Pacific is the driest part of the country and the south Pacific is one of the wettest places in Costa Rica. So while we cant answer this question for you, we can give you some information to help you make your decision. Best time to visit Costa Rica Happily, the best weather coincides with Christmas, new Year, spring half term and the worst of the northern winters. Rainfall reaches more than three inches in October through December, but the totals are still low compared to the rest of the Caribbean. Costa Rica is bubbling over with life and energy. The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest. I only hope to bring you information to help you choose your travel dates. Discover Costa Rica's cloud forests, coral reefs and volcanos in new and exciting ways on these four amazing tours; The 50 most attractive nationalities revealed: India is No.1, USA comes second . The worst time to visit Costa Rica is in September and October. Whether youre looking for lively metro areas with tons of shopping, accommodations, and restaurant options or a tucked-away towns with vibrant and authentic Costa Rican culture, youll find it here. Its green season in Costa Rica, but a brief pocket of sunshine breaks up the rain inJuly in what locals call veranillo, or little summer. What Is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica? Ed #2798 Oficina #8 On the Pacific Coast, April to August has the best surfing waves for experienced surfers, while beginners will appreciate the somewhat smaller waves on the Pacific Coast from December to April. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica | Climate Guide | Audley Travel May, June and July are the rainiest. May is sometimes referred to as the magical month. Here the Gringos are enjoying summer and escaping Winter at the same time. At this time, the weather is dry and bright. Flying is significantly more affordable from May to November than during the dry season since the demand is way lower. South Pacific | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica Tourism Official website Please note we recommend a budget of from 7,000 / $10,000 USD per person for our style of trip to this destination. Dry and Rainy Seasons Costa Rica has two distinct seasons. Japan has objectively no best time to visit as each season offers a different experience and spectacular beauty. . Talk with a Costa Rica Expert about the best destinations to visit during this time of year. The best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease. However, the weather changes all year round due to the countrys two distinct seasons. Cheap Flights from Costa Rica to Montana from $1,038 - KAYAK The best time to visit Costa Rica is between the months of December and April. Check my complete guide to the best things to do in Costa Rica for any type of traveler. Credit: Wikimedia (Creative Commons license). The most stable weather is between December and April. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 87 F and average low is 73 F. By the end of the month, you have 50% sunny days and 8 days of rain, but the rainy days decrease as the month goes on. Copyright 2023 The Discovery Nut | Privacy Policy, Best time to visit Costa Rica + When to Avoid A complete guide [2023], 7 Days In Costa Rica: How To Plan Your Itinerary, 22 Best Things To Do In Costa Rica in 2023. Which side of Costa Rica is Better? But for cruise visitors, the best and worst times also depend on whether they are visiting the Puntarenas cruise port on the Pacific coast or the Limon cruise port on the Caribbean coast. The country is, without a doubt, among the best Central American countries to visit. At the end of April, rain begins to fall in the Central Pacific (Manuel Antonio, Dominical, and Uvita), which regulates the temperatures there. When you visit at this time of year, youll only get glimpses of the ideal Costa Rican weather because theres so much rainfall. The start of green season in May is a much needed cool off from the intense heat of the dry season. You can see many animals in Costa Rica at any time of the year, including monkeys, coati, and sloths, crocodiles, and macaws. These same two months are among the most popular months for western Caribbean cruises because other destinationssuch as Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Roatanalso have lighter rain during the same time. Its simple with our helpful travel tips! When To Go Instead (Best Time To Visit Costa Rica), Top 5 Most Active Volcanoes to Visit in Costa Rica & What To Know About Them. Surfing and rafting are fantastic. The most interesting feature of the Costa Ricans is their happiness. For the daring and the experienced, the biggest waves can be found during the rainier months of September and October. Many beaches are poorly lit, which creates a prime avenue for criminal activities. Barrio La California, On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 79 F. There are 13 days with rain, receiving about 6 inches of rain total. If you want to enjoy your vacation in the ideal weather, then December and January are the best time to visit Costa Rica. When Is the Worst Time to Travel to the Bahamas? | USA Today We understand that you are excited that you know when and where to visit when you are in Costa Rica but hold on. Wildlife watching: leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. Whether you book your trip during the best time to visit Costa Rica or during the worst, youre going to have an amazing tropical experience. Hotels and businesses are dragging to reopen or reinvest after the business had slowed down during the rainy peaks of September and October. On average, the warmest months are January, February, March, April, May, June and August. There are more than 500,000 animal species in the country, making it one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Therefore, to be on the safe side, you can opt to visit at the end of January or the start of February to avoid such inconveniences while still enjoying the great weather. In April, this beautiful area experiences morning sunshine and afternoon light rain. Youve got the highly-developed Pacific coast on the western side and the more-affordable, culturally-driven Caribbean coast on the eastern side. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 93 F and average low is 73 F, with about 4 days of rain, with an inch of rain falling . Source: Wikimedia, Total cruise visitors by month. From scarlet macaws to slow-moving sloths, you will be astounded at the diversity of life youll find in this country. It gives amazing green landscapes and lush. Whereas the Nation is one of the most attractive in Central America, there are times you should avoid it as much as you can. That being said, March and April have the highest temperatures. No one is tired of receiving Christmas gifts, you can give your sons one of the most memorable gifts you ever have, and here they call it the Nino Dios Moment. Costa Rica has a tropical climate with two seasons: dry season and rainy (or, "green," as locals may call it) season. Puntarenas and San Jos get rain more than 20 days a month from May through October and peak at 25-26 days in September and October. July and August are popular travel times due to less rain, family summer vacations, and active green season wildlife. Please consult a Costa Rica Expert on the general climate of your destinations of interest over your travel dates. 11 tips for travelling in Costa Rica | Rough Guides Puntarenas is quiet during the summer. Some are harmful to your health, while others risk your security. Get your camera because here you can take one of your best photos. You can expect to see drier weather as you head north, and wetter weather as you head south. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Theres no bad time to go to Costa Rica. Not a day goes by for me without planning new adventures and looking for some scenic spots. The light rains during July and August are nothing compared to the deluges common in September through December. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The worst time to visit Costa Rica. Best time to visit Costa Rica - Lonely Planet He picks out April as one of the best months you should visit Costa Rica. This period is during the low season, so youll deal with fewer tourists and may feel like youve got the place to yourself. Temperatures begin to drop as the hotel prices and number of tourists do. Wildlife watching: hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. The three worst months of the year to visit Limon are July, November and especially December. The Best time to Visit Costa Rica: A Full Guide | Selina Travel Tips.