Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, packed into a land area smaller than West Virginia. Within a few hours' drive, you can move from Caribbean lowland rainforest to volcanic highland cloud forest to Pacific dry forest, each with its own microclimate and wildlife. This ecological diversity means there is no single "best time" to visit -- instead, the optimal timing depends on which coast you are visiting, which animals you want to see, and whether you prioritize sunshine, savings, or seclusion.

The biggest misconception about Costa Rica's weather is that the rainy season (locally called "green season") is a bad time to visit. In reality, green season offers dramatic landscapes, fewer tourists, lower prices, and rain patterns that leave most mornings sunny and clear. This guide breaks down exactly what to expect month by month and region by region.

Understanding Costa Rica's Seasons

Costa Rica has two seasons:

Dry Season (Verano / Summer): December through April. Clear skies, lower humidity, and minimal rainfall -- particularly on the Pacific side. This is peak tourist season with the highest prices and largest crowds.

Green Season (Invierno / Winter): May through November. Increased rainfall, lush vegetation, and fewer tourists. Prices drop 20-40%. Rain typically falls in the afternoon, leaving mornings sunny and pleasant.

However, this simple framework disguises significant regional variation. The critical detail most travel guides miss: Costa Rica's Caribbean coast has a different rainy season than the Pacific coast.

The Two Coasts: Different Weather Patterns

Pacific Coast (Guanacaste, Nicoya Peninsula, Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula)

The Pacific side follows the standard dry/green season pattern:

Driest months: December through April
Wettest months: September and October
Transition months: May and November (partially dry, partially rainy)

Rain in the Pacific lowlands during green season typically follows a predictable daily pattern: sunny mornings, cloud buildup in early afternoon, heavy rainfall from 2:00-5:00 PM, then clearing by evening. This pattern means you can enjoy outdoor activities in the morning and retreat to your lodge or a restaurant during the afternoon downpour.

Caribbean Coast (Tortuguero, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Limon)

The Caribbean coast has its own rainy season that is roughly inverse to the Pacific:

Driest months: February, March, September, and October
Wettest months: November, December, and July
Relatively dry: January through April (some rain, but less than the Pacific)

This means that when the Pacific coast is getting hammered by September/October rains, the Caribbean coast is experiencing some of its best weather. Smart travelers exploit this by visiting the Caribbean coast during the Pacific's wettest months.

Central Valley and Highlands (San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde)

The mountainous interior has cooler temperatures (15-26 degrees Celsius depending on altitude) and its own weather patterns:

Driest: January through April
Wettest: September and October
Monteverde Cloud Forest is misty and cool year-round. Rain (or drizzle, or fog) is possible in any month. This is by design -- it is a cloud forest.
Arenal Volcano is visible most often in the dry season (December-April). During green season, the peak is frequently obscured by clouds, though early mornings often provide clear views.

Month-by-Month Guide

January

Weather: Dry season is well underway. Pacific coast: sunny, 28-33 degrees Celsius, minimal rain. Caribbean coast: occasional light rain but generally pleasant. Highlands: cool nights (15-18 degrees Celsius), warm days (22-26 degrees Celsius).

Crowds and Prices: High season. North American and European tourists arrive in large numbers, especially during the first two weeks (New Year's) and the last week (US school breaks). Hotel prices are at peak levels, particularly in popular areas like Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, and Arenal.

Wildlife: Dry forest animals concentrate around water sources, making wildlife spotting easier. Howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, and coatis are active. Humpback whales from the Northern Hemisphere are present on the Pacific coast (December-March).

Best for: Beach vacations on the Pacific coast, guaranteed sunshine, whale watching.

February

Weather: The driest and sunniest month across most of the country. Pacific coast temperatures reach 33-35 degrees Celsius. Caribbean coast is relatively dry.

Crowds and Prices: Still high season but slightly less crowded than December-January. This is the single best month for consistently dry weather nationwide.

Wildlife: Scarlet macaws nest in the Osa Peninsula and around Carara National Park. Resplendent quetzals begin their breeding season in the Monteverde and San Gerardo de Dota cloud forests -- males display their spectacular tail feathers.

Best for: Quetzal spotting, beach time, clear views of Arenal Volcano.

March

Weather: Still dry season. Hot on the Pacific lowlands (34-36 degrees Celsius in Guanacaste). The forests of the Pacific northwest begin to show signs of drought, with deciduous trees losing leaves. Caribbean coast remains relatively dry.

Crowds and Prices: Holy Week (Semana Santa) in late March or early April is the busiest week of the entire year. Hotels, beaches, and national parks are packed. If your trip overlaps with Semana Santa, book everything 3-6 months in advance.

Wildlife: Quetzal season continues. Olive ridley sea turtles nest at Ostional on the Nicoya Peninsula (mass nesting events, called "arribadas," occur year-round but are especially common from July through November).

Best for: Wildlife photography, surfing in Guanacaste (consistent offshore winds create clean Pacific swells).

April

Weather: The last month of dry season. Temperatures peak in the lowlands. The transition to green season begins in the south -- the Osa Peninsula may see its first significant rains by late April.

Crowds and Prices: Post-Semana Santa, crowds drop noticeably in the second and third weeks of April. Late April is an excellent window: still mostly dry, but shoulder-season pricing begins to appear.

Wildlife: Nesting season for green sea turtles begins at Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast (July-October is peak, but early nesters arrive in April-May).

Best for: The last window for guaranteed dry weather on the Pacific coast at slightly reduced prices.

May

Weather: Green season officially begins. The Pacific coast receives its first regular afternoon rains. Mornings remain sunny. The Caribbean coast is in a dry-ish period. Highlands begin to green up dramatically.

Crowds and Prices: Tourist numbers drop significantly. Prices fall 20-30% from peak levels. This is the beginning of the best value season.

Wildlife: Whale sharks appear near the Osa Peninsula and Isla del Cano (May-August). Birdwatching is excellent as migratory species pass through.

Best for: Budget travelers, the transition period when prices drop but weather is still largely manageable.

June

Weather: Full green season. Pacific coast: morning sun, afternoon rain. Rainfall is moderate -- not as heavy as September/October. Caribbean coast: entering its drier period. Highlands: increasingly misty and wet.

Crowds and Prices: Low season pricing in effect. Many lodges and tour operators offer promotions. A lodge that charges $200/night in January might charge $120-$140 in June. The country feels quieter and more authentic.

Wildlife: Sea turtle nesting activity increases across both coasts. Whale sharks continue around the Osa Peninsula.

Best for: Tortuguero turtle watching (early nesters), budget-conscious travel, lush green photography.

July

Weather: A unique phenomenon occurs in early-to-mid July: the veranillo de San Juan (little summer of Saint John). This 1-3 week dry spell interrupts the green season, bringing Pacific coast sunshine. Not guaranteed every year, but common. Caribbean coast: July is one of the wetter months.

Crowds and Prices: A mini surge of tourists occurs during the veranillo and US/European summer holidays. Prices remain below peak but may spike at popular Pacific coast beaches during the dry spell.

Wildlife: Green sea turtle nesting at Tortuguero reaches its peak. Nightly guided turtle walks ($25-$35 per person through authorized guides) offer close encounters with nesting females. Humpback whales from the Southern Hemisphere begin arriving on the Pacific coast (July-November) -- Costa Rica is one of the few places on Earth where you can see humpback whales from both hemispheres in different seasons.

Best for: Tortuguero turtle nesting, humpback whale watching on the Pacific coast, the veranillo dry spell.

August

Weather: Green season continues. Pacific coast receives moderate to heavy afternoon rainfall. Caribbean coast: drier than expected (transitioning toward its September-October dry spell). Highlands: cool and wet.

Crowds and Prices: Low season. Excellent value across the country.

Wildlife: Turtle nesting continues at Tortuguero. Humpback whales are active on the Pacific coast. This is one of the best months for whale watching tours from Uvita and Drake Bay ($75-$100 per person, 3-4 hour tours with operators like Bahia Aventuras and Divine Dolphin).

Best for: Whale watching in Uvita/Drake Bay, Tortuguero turtles, budget accommodations.

September

Weather: One of the two wettest months on the Pacific coast. Heavy, sustained rainfall, sometimes for entire days rather than just afternoons. Some gravel roads in remote areas (Osa Peninsula, Monteverde) become challenging. However, the Caribbean coast is in its dry period -- September and October are among the best months for Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and the southern Caribbean.

Crowds and Prices: The lowest tourist numbers and lowest prices of the year. Some Pacific coast operators close or reduce schedules. Caribbean coast operations are in full swing.

Wildlife: Olive ridley sea turtle arribadas (mass nesting events) occur at Ostional. Thousands of turtles arrive over a few days to nest simultaneously. This spectacle is free to observe (small community entrance fee of $2-$5) and utterly unforgettable.

Best for: Caribbean coast beach time, turtle arribadas at Ostional, the lowest prices of the year.

October

Weather: The wettest month for the Pacific coast and central highlands. Flash flooding can occur. National Park access to remote areas may be limited. The Caribbean coast, however, continues its dry period through most of October.

Crowds and Prices: Still low season. Many Pacific coast properties offer their steepest discounts.

Wildlife: Turtle nesting continues. Migratory bird species begin arriving. Green season means forests are at their lushest, and amphibians (including the famous red-eyed tree frog) are most active and visible.

Best for: Caribbean coast visits, frog and amphibian spotting, extreme budget travel.

November

Weather: The transition back to dry season begins in late November. Early November is still rainy on the Pacific coast, but by the last week, rains diminish noticeably. Caribbean coast: November is typically wetter as it enters its own rainy period.

Crowds and Prices: Shoulder season. Prices begin to rise for the December-April peak, but November itself remains affordable. US Thanksgiving week sees a moderate tourist spike.

Wildlife: Humpback whale season (Southern Hemisphere whales) ends. Migratory birds are present across the country.

Best for: Late November as a sweet spot -- the rains are ending, prices have not yet peaked, and the countryside is at maximum lushness.

December

Weather: Dry season returns to the Pacific coast and central highlands. The first two weeks may have residual rain, but by mid-December, conditions are sunny and dry. Caribbean coast: entering its wetter period.

Crowds and Prices: High season begins. Prices spike from mid-December through New Year's. Christmas week and New Year's are the most expensive period of the year.

Wildlife: Northern Hemisphere humpback whales return to the Pacific coast (December-March). Christmas bird counts reveal Costa Rica's extraordinary avian biodiversity (over 900 species).

Best for: Beach holidays on the Pacific coast, holiday travel (if budget allows).

Surf Season Guide

Costa Rica is a world-class surf destination with waves on both coasts year-round. The best surf depends on which coast and what swell direction.

Pacific Coast Surf

Dry season (December-April): Offshore winds create clean, glassy conditions. Swell is smaller and more consistent. Best for intermediate surfers and longboarders. Top spots: Tamarindo (beginner-intermediate), Nosara/Playa Guiones (all levels), Santa Teresa (intermediate-advanced).

Green season (May-November): Larger swells from the South Pacific produce powerful waves. Onshore winds in the afternoon can make conditions choppy, so surf mornings. Top spots: Pavones (one of the world's longest left-hand breaks, best June-October), Dominical (powerful beach break), Playa Hermosa near Jaco (advanced).

Caribbean Coast Surf

The Caribbean coast receives its best swells from December through March, when cold fronts push swells down from the north. Salsa Brava in Puerto Viejo is Costa Rica's most powerful wave -- a shallow reef break for experts only. Playa Cocles nearby is more accessible for intermediate surfers.

Wildlife Viewing Calendar

Animal	Best Months	Where	Notes
Humpback whales (North)	December-March	Uvita, Drake Bay	Northern Hemisphere population
Humpback whales (South)	July-November	Uvita, Drake Bay	Southern Hemisphere population
Green sea turtles	July-October	Tortuguero	Peak nesting, guided night walks
Olive ridley turtles	July-November	Ostional, Nicoya	Mass nesting (arribadas)
Leatherback turtles	October-March	Playa Grande, Pacific NW	Largest sea turtles, critically endangered
Whale sharks	May-August	Osa Peninsula, Isla del Cano	Snorkeling/diving encounters
Resplendent quetzal	February-May	Monteverde, San Gerardo de Dota	Breeding season, males display
Scarlet macaws	Year-round (best Dec-Apr)	Carara NP, Osa Peninsula	Easier to spot in dry forest
Red-eyed tree frogs	May-November	Caribbean lowlands, Arenal	Active in wet season
Sloths	Year-round	Manuel Antonio, Cahuita, Arenal	Two-toed and three-toed species
Crocodiles	Year-round	Tarcoles River bridge	Largest congregation, visible from road

Regional Recommendations Summary

Pacific Coast (Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula)

Best time: December-April for dry weather; May-June and November for value with reasonable weather; July for the veranillo dry spell.

Avoid if weather-sensitive: September-October (heaviest rain).

Caribbean Coast (Tortuguero, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo)

Best time: February-March and September-October for the driest weather on the Caribbean side.

Avoid if weather-sensitive: November-December (Caribbean rainy period).

Central Highlands (Arenal, Monteverde, San Jose)

Best time: December-April for clearest skies and best volcano views; February-April for quetzal breeding season in cloud forests.

Year-round note: Monteverde is always cool (15-22 degrees Celsius) and frequently misty. Embrace the mist -- it is what creates the cloud forest ecosystem.

Price Comparison by Season

Average Accommodation Prices (Mid-Range, Per Night)

|------|---------------|--------------------|--------------|

| Manuel Antonio | $150-$300 | $100-$200 | $80-$160 |

| Arenal/La Fortuna | $120-$250 | $80-$170 | $60-$130 |

| Tamarindo | $130-$280 | $90-$180 | $70-$140 |

| Monteverde | $100-$200 | $70-$150 | $55-$120 |

| Puerto Viejo | $80-$180 | $60-$130 | $50-$100 |

| Drake Bay/Osa | $180-$400 | $120-$280 | $100-$220 |

Tour and Activity Prices

Most tour prices remain consistent year-round, but some operators offer 10-20% green season discounts:

Zip-lining in Monteverde: $50-$85 per person
White-water rafting (Pacuare River): $90-$110 per person (full day)
Night tour (frogs, insects, snakes): $35-$45 per person
Hanging bridges walk (Arenal): $26-$52 per person
Snorkeling in Cahuita National Park: $25-$35 per person (guided)
Hot springs (Arenal area): $15-$85 depending on resort (Tabacon: $85; Baldi: $42; Ecotermales: $42 -- the most intimate, limited to 100 guests)

Planning a Multi-Region Costa Rica Trip

A well-planned Costa Rica itinerary should account for the different weather patterns on each coast and in the highlands. A common 10-14 day circuit might include Arenal (volcanos and hot springs), Monteverde (cloud forest), Pacific coast (beach), and potentially the Caribbean coast or Osa Peninsula. The key is sequencing these regions based on current seasonal conditions.

TripGenie can help you build a Costa Rica itinerary that accounts for regional weather variations, driving distances (Costa Rica's roads are slower than you expect), and the seasonal timing of wildlife events like turtle nesting and whale migration.

Getting Around

Rental cars are the most flexible option but require comfort with narrow mountain roads and river crossings. A 4WD vehicle is recommended for Monteverde, the Osa Peninsula, and many rural areas. Budget $40-$70 per day including insurance from Vamos Rent-A-Car (a well-reviewed local operator) or international chains.

Shared shuttles (Interbus, Caribe Shuttle) connect major tourist destinations for $30-$60 per person per route. These are convenient if you prefer not to drive.

Domestic flights from San Jose to Tortuguero, Drake Bay, and Tamarindo save significant driving time. Sansa Airlines operates small aircraft to regional airstrips ($80-$150 one-way).

Final Advice

The most common mistake travelers make in Costa Rica is sticking rigidly to the "dry season is best" advice without understanding the nuances. September on the Caribbean coast can be warmer, drier, and cheaper than January on the Pacific coast. July's veranillo can offer a surprise window of sunshine. And green season's lush, vibrant landscapes -- waterfalls at full power, rivers surging through canyons, forests alive with frogs and birds -- are arguably more spectacular than the dry season's parched hillsides.

The best time to visit Costa Rica is whenever you can go. But knowing which region to prioritize based on the month you are traveling -- that is the difference between a good trip and an extraordinary one. Pura vida.

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Dry Season vs Green Season Guide