Costa Rica doesn’t really have “bad” weather, but the wettest months are September and October. Heavy rain can make some roads muddy and limit beach time, but it also creates lush green forests and great wildlife viewing.
Costa Rica Travel Information
Not sure which theme is right for you?
Best Time to Visit
Discover Costa Rica's beauty, whether rain or shine awaits you.
Costa Rica is a country you can visit any time of year, but when you go shapes the kind of trip you’ll have. The dry season (December to April) is ideal for beach vacations and outdoor adventure, while the green season (May to November) showcases the country’s rainforests at their most vibrant. Wildlife is active year-round, with unique encounters tied to different seasons.
“Costa Rica is a year-round destination,” says Destination Specialist Virginia Dameno. “But if your main interest is beach time, the best months are December to April during the dry season.”
Speak to one of our Destination Specialists to start planning your Costa Rica trip today.
Planning Travel Around Costa Rica’s Seasons
Green season (May to November) is when Costa Rica’s rainforests are at their lushest. Daily afternoon showers freshen the air and enliven the landscapes with colour. It is also an excellent time for spotting wildlife, from nesting sea turtles to migratory birds. “I loved visiting during the green season in September,” says Destination Specialist Kajal Gadhia. “It was lush, full of wildlife, and absolutely beautiful.” Crowds at this time are also thinner, and prices are often more favourable.
Dry season (December to April) brings clear skies, warm temperatures, and calmer seas, making it the most popular time to visit. It’s perfect for beach getaways in Guanacaste, volcano hikes in Arenal, and exploring Manuel Antonio National Park. Resorts and lodges are at their most active, creating a lively atmosphere.
The mid-year period (June to August) is popular with families, who often choose these months since school holidays line up with excellent conditions for rainforest exploration and wildlife viewing. This is also the best time for observing turtle nesting along the Caribbean coast.
November is often overlooked, but this shoulder month offers the best of both worlds: lush greenery from the rainy season with fewer showers and smaller crowds than peak dry season. It’s a great time for travelers who want to explore the country comfortably without the usual hustle and bustle.
The Best Times to Visit Costa Rica According to Your Interests
Beaches and Coastal Activities
December to April grants sunny days and calm waters. This is when Costa Rica’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts shine for those seeking relaxation and water sports.
Nature and Wildlife
From May to November, the rainforests show off their biodiversity, making the green season best for spotting birds, frogs, and sea turtles, while cloud forests like Monteverde are especially atmospheric.
Adventure and Hiking
Dry season months (December to April) provide the best conditions for trekking volcanoes, zip-lining through forests, or white-water rafting. Trails are dry, rivers are more manageable, and skies are clearer.
Regional Highlights to Plan Your Costa Rica Trip Around
Costa Rica’s capital, San José, enjoys mild weather year-round and is near the country's primary international airport, making it a comfortable base to start or end a trip. While there are museums, local markets, and a range of great restaurants, San José rarely features prominently in most explorations of Costa Rica, as it is outside of the capital that the magic of the country is best revealed.
Manuel Antonio is at its best from December to April, when dry skies make its beaches shine and wildlife spotting is at its peak. Hiking the park’s trails gives you the chance to see sloths and monkeys before relaxing on the Pacific coast.
In Arenal, travelers can enjoy volcano views, hot springs, and rainforest hikes in any season. The dry months bring the clearest skies, while the green season transforms the region into a lush paradise with lively rivers and trails.
Learn more about Costa Rica’s destinations and how the seasons affect each one.
Let the Seasons Shape Your Costa Rica Journey
Costa Rica’s climate can help guide your route. Travelers looking for sunny beach escapes often plan around the dry season, while those interested in lush landscapes and active wildlife may prefer the green season. Many itineraries strike a balance, combining rainforest adventure with coastal relaxation for a fuller experience.
For practical advice on planning around the weather, consult our essential Costa Rica travel tips.
Featured Costa Rica Trip Ideas
Costa Rica Travel PackagesHighlights of Costa Rica: Rainforest & Coast
Manuel Antonio National Park and ArenalThrill and chill on this Private-guided Costa Rica journey, with ziplining, whitewater rafting, and rainforest walks from Arenal’s peaks to Pacific shores.
8 days
From US$3,185/p.p.
Request a Quote
Costa Rica Coast to Coast
Arenal and San JoseDiscover the vibrant heart and lush wilds of Costa Rica on this immersive journey through nature, adventure, and coastal charm. Begin in San José, where colonial architecture and café culture blend at your doorstep in the capital’s lively heart. From here,...
10 days
From US$3,415/p.p.
Request a Quote
Highlights of Costa Rica: Rainforest & Coast
Manuel Antonio National Park and ArenalThrill and chill on this Private-guided Costa Rica journey, with ziplining, whitewater rafting, and rainforest walks from Arenal’s peaks to Pacific shores.
8 days
From US$3,185/p.p.
Request a Quote
Costa Rica Coast to Coast
Arenal and San JoseDiscover the vibrant heart and lush wilds of Costa Rica on this immersive journey through nature, adventure, and coastal charm. Begin in San José, where colonial architecture and café culture blend at your doorstep in the capital’s lively heart. From here,...
10 days
From US$3,415/p.p.
Request a Quote
Most Popular Time to Travel
Know when to go.
Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
LiberiaMostly Sunny
35°C / 96°F
7mm / 0.3"
MonteverdeOccasional Showers
31°C / 88°F
94mm / 3.7"
PuntarenasOccasional Showers
31°C / 88°F
94mm / 3.7"
San JoseOccasional Showers
31°C / 88°F
94mm / 3.7"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
-
Travel Stories
Get inspired about Your Trip to Costa Rica
Nature & Wildlife
+1
People travel to far-flung destinations for all kinds of reasons: the food, the culture, the landscapes, the thrill of adventure. Increasingly, I’m dr...
Nature & Wildlife
+1
Think you know the best time to visit Costa Rica? Hold off on booking those (pricier) dry season tickets. This already beautiful destination gets an a...
Trending
+1
One of the most prominent themes emerging from 2025's preliminary end-of-year travel data is how Canadian globetrotters adapted to the year's widespre...
Frequently Asked Questions
What months does Costa Rica have bad weather?
What is considered peak season in Costa Rica?
The dry season from December to April is peak travel time, especially around Christmas, New Year, and Easter. Beaches are sunny, skies are clear, and hotels book up early.
Which side of Costa Rica has the best weather?
The Pacific coast (especially Guanacaste) is the driest and sunniest, while the Caribbean side sees more year-round rain. Both coasts are beautiful, but the weather can vary significantly between them.
What is the driest month to visit Costa Rica?
March is typically the driest month, with plenty of sunshine across the country. It’s perfect for beach getaways and adventure tours.
Costa Rica Travel Information
Not sure which theme is right for you?
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter.
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way.Exclusive Savings
Insider Benefits
Trending Stories
ExcellentBased on 5,139 ReviewsOnce again, Goway Travel has provided us with an amazing travel experience, and the customized itinerary prepared by Joanne Palanuik was second to none. She was the main reason that Australia is a "trip of a lifetime" for us. Her attention to detail and recognizing what would make this a special trip for us is noteworthy and much appreciated.WallyI would recommend GoWay for travel anytime. I had a private tour of India built for me, after I was invited to my friend's wedding. I travelled around northern India with my driver for 10 days. I had a new guide most every day, for the trip, as we went from location to location. Absolutely everything was amazing!! I honestly can't say there was a negative moment in any of it. I felt 100% safe travelling alone with GoWay's experts. My lodgings were excellent and someone was always available for support, if need be. This was one of the best experiences of my life!!! Thank you so much GoWay!!Trudy BuelowOur trip was great and your partners in Egypt met and exceeded our expectations.
Having the guides and drivers was a new experience for us but absolutely invaluable
We would recommend Goway to anyone.joe levackThanks very much Alice Teramoto for organizing such a fantastic trip for us!!!!
Everything went very smoothly, including our 15 flights and we loved all the experiences, activities and accommodations that you arranged for us.
Everything was top notch!!!Shelley MurphyWe had an amazing trip to Southeast Asia. We would like to thank Goway for organizing a memorable vacation. The tour guides were very personable, kind, respectful and knowledgeable about their countries. It was nice to be able to ask them questions and hear about their daily lives. They went above and beyond to make our trip as enjoyable as possible. We were so glad our tours were private as the guides were very flexible in accommodating us as I often could not fully participate after spending time in a hospital with food poisoning.
We enjoyed our time in Singapore. The driver who drove us from and to the airport gave us a compressive overview of daily life in Singapore. It was fascinating to hear how home ownership, retirement and driving was so different there.
The accommodations were excellent, the staff were all very kind and helpful. We have to particularly commend the staff at the Siesta Classic Ma May in Hanoi. Ann at reception was so kind to my husband when I was in the hospital asking him regularly how I was doing and arranging late checkout without being asked. And Suzie our Hanoi tour guide for rearranging a tour time for my husband then dropping him off at the hospital. She also managed to take me to see the Ho Chi Minh property on our way to the airport as I had missed so much of Hanoi. I would also like to thank Aurel Vion, the Goway representative from Paris, who personally called me while I was in the hospital to enquire how I was doing, cancel our Halong cruise and arrange an extra night in the hotel for my husband. It was much appreciated.
Hoang was super flexible with our tours in Hue and Hoi An as I was still very weak having just gotten out of hospital. We really enjoyed our visit to the private pottery museum and meet the owner and our ride on the Perfume River in a private boat and our voyage through the mountain pass to Danang. Andy, the tour guide who picked us up from the Boutique Hoi A Resort helped us avoid the long lineups in the Danang airport, again very appreciated. Tuan our tour guide in Saigon was also very accommodating. We really enjoyed our days with him relaxing on our private sampan to Cai Be and our trip to Can Tho to visit the floating markets. He also took us to the War Remnants Museum on the way back to Saigon as we had missed our tour of the Cu Chi tunnels because our flight in Danang was delayed 4 hours.
And poor Phil in Bangkok, he tried his best with the culinary tour. Unfortunately after the food poisoning we were being very cautious in what we ate. We did appreciate his tour of Chinatown and the great meal of Pad Thai. He also provided us with excellent directions so we could take the subway, skytrain and ferry by ourselves.
We will never forget how we were able to experience and appreciate cultures much different than ours.
We have only good things to say about Goway and certainly always recommend the company to all we know. We have already had an acquaintance of ours book a trip with the company.
And lastly we must thank Katherine Samsonkinai for arranging another excellent vacation. We will certainly continue to recommend her and will be calling her again to organize our next big trip.
Linda GrahamWe thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Egypt. We were a small group trip with only three people. The guides and transfers from Emeco were excellent.Always on time and very knowledgeable. Our transfer went smoothly due to these guides. They were very efficient and made sure we didn’t have to wait in lines too long. The Sun Goddess was a beautiful riverboat and all of our meals were excellent. One suggestion is to include tips . We were always trying to find the right amounts for tips. Also the times for most excursions were very early in the morning….5:30 or 6:00 and that was not on our itinerary. I understand the early times to avoid the crowds. All in all we were very pleased with GoWay and would use them again in the future. Thinking of South Africa Safari.
Also would like to thank our agent Elise for answering all of my questions and concerns. We felt very safe in Egypt. Sue ScarboroughAs a travel agent, it was very easy to work with Goway. They were very responsive, especially Osvaldo Gonzalez, even when the client wanted to make in-destination changes a day or two prior. My clients absolutely enjoyed everything about their trip to Costa Rica - they specifically mentioned that all the drivers and guides they had were excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable. I would not hesitate to use Goway again for a custom trip to Costa Rica. Shawna Woods RoyWe, three couples, all enjoyed our time in Peru, despite the small amount of time we had, and the fact one person had injury while on the cruise prior to arriving in Lima. We did want to experience Machu Picchu without spending as many days as others usually do, since we had been traveling prior to that already. Kajal at Goway was able to tailor a well packed three-day private tour for our small group of six. Every detail, from the moment we got off the cruise ship, to Cusco, to Machu Picchu, and back to Lima airport hotel, was well taken care of. Kajal was very efficient in helping with the requested itinerary, and in staying on desired budget, as well answered all questions in timely fashion. We were able to accomplish what we were not sure if possible, all thanks to Kajal at Goway.
Our experience in Peru was very positive. We felt the tours organized by Goway had enabled us to have great and impressive exposure to Peruvian culture and important historical sights - all 31 hours in 3 days!!! Condor Travel in Peru took care of us every step of the way. Every person we came across was very courteous, willing, and helpful. Help was always there and questions answered quickly via Whatsapp. All in all a great and positive experience we would highly recommend.KMI want to personally thank my Travel Agent Alice Teramoto who organized two spectacular trips for me! One to Australia and most recently Vietnam and Cambodia. She nailed it! I can’t express my gratitude enough! Both trips were flawless and hassle free! Every experience exceeded my expectations!
I spent my 60th Birthday in Vietnam on the Lunar New Year which was a complete thrill!
I highly recommend Alice and will definitely book with her again soon! Thanks so much Alice ♥️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻AvrilMary G. was an absolute pleasure to work with. I partner with Goway often for Europe and typically have my go to rep, so stepping outside of that for a New Zealand itinerary had me a little unsure at first.
That hesitation quickly disappeared. Mary stepped in with confidence, handled all of my moving pieces with ease, and truly understood the level of detail I needed to take care of my clients.
She delivered a beautifully curated itinerary that exceeded expectations, and most importantly, my clients had an incredible experience in New Zealand.
I’m so grateful to have her as a resource and look forward to working together again.Nichole Pierce
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified