The start of green season in May is a much needed cool off from the intense heat of the dry season. May is a bit of a transitionmonth, in which the rain picks up, but not quiteat the rate oflater greenseason months. The best time to visit Costa Rica is from January through February and in July. The dense jungles and protected rain forests in national parks here are ideal destinations for anyone who loves to get out and see wildlife in their natural habitat. Expect it to be warm and humid. April typically marks the end of the dry season. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. According to Christa from Pura Vida Moms, the worst place to go if you want to avoid mosquitoes in Costa Rica is the Caribbean Coast (around Tortuguero National Park), Osa Penninsula . 'It's so expensive' were the words on fellow travellers lips. Not a day goes by for me without planning new adventures and looking for some scenic spots. However, the weather changes all year round due to the countrys two distinct seasons. Related Article: 6 Costa Rica Holiday Travel Tips. But they do give some guidelines on how to reduce the chance of running into bad weather. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 87 F and average low is 73 F. There are less than 3 days of rain, with less than an inch of rain falling. A dry season runs from December through April, and a rainy season runs from May through the end of November. In contrast to Limon, these destinations average about one to two inches a month in February and March. Like Limon, Puntarenas has steady temperatures throughout the year. It is a democratic republic which is located in Central America. The best months during this dry season are November through April because of a lower risk of rain. Even dry seasons can have unexpected rain, so visitors should always be prepared in advance. On the typically rainy southern Caribbean Coast, the rain lightens up in September and October, making it a great time to visit. Unfortunately, one of the most common crimes in Costa Rica is theft. They're also most crowded. From my own personal travel experience, the shoulder season is the best time to visit Costa Rica. The transition months from dry to rainy are April and May. Even the driest parts of Costa Rica, such as the North Pacific, still experience high rainfall.
15 Unpleasant Facts You Should Know About Costa Rica - theclever But there are certainly bonuses to traveling here during the low season. The temperatures in Costa Rica range between 20 - 30 C year-round. There truly is never a bad bad time to visit Costa Rica; however, May is the worst month to visit, as the rain is fairly high, and you dont have the added benefits of good surfing conditions or turtle or whale watching season. Puntarenas is quiet during the summer. 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.
Nicaragua vs Costa Rica: Which is Worth Your Time? - Layer Culture Join 19k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! The worst months are May through October because of a much higher risk. You can see many animals in Costa Rica at any time of the year, including monkeys, coati, and sloths, crocodiles, and macaws. Costa Rica is bubbling over with life and energy. . The choices of the animal parks you can visit are limited to places such as the Punta Uva and Cahuita National Parks. 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. If budget is your main concern, youll want to visit Costa Rica sometime between September and mid-December (the low season). For those who love waterfall hiking, then here is your solution.
All rights reserved. Most elections are held in February.
The Best Time to Visit La Fortuna, Costa Rica for Weather, Safety Most of the rain that falls in November comes towards the beginning of the month. Liberia (Guanacaste) has dry periods in January, February and March. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The Nation has an estimated population of almost 5 million. The worst months are May through October because of. Its simple with our helpful travel tips! On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 88 F and average low is 78 F. There are 16 days with rain, receiving about 7 inches of rain total. However, theres no getting around it rainy season is, well, rainy. Nature and wildlife enthusiasts should also consider visiting during the dry season. It is also clear that there is no specific worst time to visit Costa Rica since its diversity in terms of seasons and climatic conditions presents unique, attractive features and activities to satisfy the needs of different types of tourists. Our personal favorite time to go to Costa Rica is July and August when there's a bit more rain but even fewer visitors and slightly lower prices and of course it's great to travel during the secret dry season on the Caribbean in September and October In fact there's no bad time to go. You can expect to see drier weather as you head north, and wetter weather as you head south. While the days are still warm, nighttime temperatures can drop to -20C, and some tours have pre-dawn starts. The Ostional Wildlife Refuge in the Guanacaste Province of Nicoya Peninsula is among the best locations to witness this phenomenon. When to go to Sweden in spring Visiting Sweden in March - May Arenal, at 1,670 meters above sea level, is undoubtedly the most well-known of Costa Rica's volcanic giants since it is one of the world's top ten most active volcanoes. Shoulder season in Costa Rica is April and November, when the weather shifts between being sunny and fairly dry to being overcast and rainy as the month goes on in April, and then turns from rainy to dry and sunny by the end of November. When referencing Pacific weather in the following sections, weve highlighted what you will experience when staying in the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area, which is the middle of the Pacific Coast. The worst months are May through October because of a much higher risk. Average rainfall is less than one inch from January through March and only a little more than an inch in April and December.
Best time to visit Costa Rica - Lonely Planet In July and August, Costa Rica is in the drier part of the rainy season Costa Ricans call it veranillo or little summer. Costa Rica has a very diverse and changeable climate. With annual tourism at its lowest point, the prices for airfare, hotels, and rentals plummet and you can score the cheapest Costa Rican vacation.
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Costa Rica The currency of Costa Rica is Costa Rica Colon, and according to Xe.com, the 633.75 Colones are trading to the equivalent of $1. Plus earthquakes are almost a daily occurrence and floods are common in the rainy . One destination on most everyones must-see travel list is tropical Costa Rica. Weather in the popular capital of San Jos has more in common with Puntarenas than Limon. , We visited in July and experienced several days of completely clear weather, and some days when there was an hour or two of afternoon rain not bad at all, especially when a lot of the tours in La Fortuna happen in the morning! The Pacific Coast is noteworthy, as the north Pacific and the south Pacific coasts see marked differences in weather patterns. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Then worry no more because Costa Rica has everything it takes to make a good tourist destination. Well show you the best time to visit Costa Rica no matter what your goal is the best overall trip, the cheapest, the least busy, and more. DONT FORGET: Renting a car in Costa Rica ahead of your trip will help you to save hundreds of dollars and also ensure you will have a car when you get there. Worst Weather The rainy season in Costa Rica, which lasts from May to November, is usually considered the worst time to travel there since the rains frequently cause widespread flooding and mudslides, making travel activities hazardous and difficult. The best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease. The dry season is also the high season as many snow birds make their escape to the tropics, and there is less rainfall. This a tough topic. Hotels and businesses are dragging to reopen or reinvest after the business had slowed down during the rainy peaks of September and October. Caribeez.com, The Limon monthly weather shows the best and worst times to visit the port. They are usually much cooler throughout the year than either Puntarenas or Limon. Check my complete guide to the best things to do in Costa Rica for any type of traveler. In April, the dry season in Costa Rica is coming to an end. The dry season is generally the best time to visit Central America which, in most countries, is January-March (or November-April in Nicaragua, Panama and Honduras). The hottest month of the year is usually just about 3 degrees Celsius warmer than . While weather is the primary factor, other considerations include an increase in crowded beaches and resorts as well as higher prices. San Jos has weather that is more in common with Puntarenas than Limon. In this article, we shall guide you to know the best and the worst times you should visit Costa Rica. 2. That being said, March and April have the highest temperatures. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 92 F and average low is 72 F, and there is usually only a day of rain. Sometimes, political statements fly across the political scene, discouraging investment in the hotel industry. September and October These two months are by far the rainiest in Costa Rica. Study up and see how you can optimize your Costa Rican getaway without breaking the bank: If you want an unforgettable tropical vacation, Costa Rica is one of the best destinations. The temperature in Costa Rica is basically the same all year round.
The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Months, Rainy/Dry Seasons This is your favorite month for those who want to enjoy the weather transition. The light rains during July and August are nothing compared to the deluges common in September through December. The few available hotels are usually aware that in some parts, hotels have closed, so they take advantage of the situation and hike prices. This period is during the low season, so youll deal with fewer tourists and may feel like youve got the place to yourself. Its terrain includes the Mojave Desert, Central Valley farmland, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, redwood forest, and cliff-lined beaches. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 92 F and average low is 80 F. This is the hottest month of the year. If youre looking for incredible natural wonders and sights to see, this is the place. This coincides with cheaper rates and prices, so think of it as a bonus! Monthly Rainfall & Temperature Averagesfor 1960-1990, For a general idea of monthly weather conditions, The World Bank Group has a great tool that shows the average monthly rainfall and temperature in Costa Rica over 20-30 year periods. Here's some information to help you in your decision: The best months for good weather in Liberia (Guanacaste) are January, February, March, April, November and December. The best time to visit Turks and Caicos is between April through June. The average lows, which take place mainly at night, hover around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 Celsius. But what sets this resort apart is the stunning location with panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. (Though, it's less likely to happen as the volcano has been dormant since 2010). On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 79 F. Cloudy skies predominate, and there are 15 days with rain, receiving about 6 inches of rain total. The vegetation is lush, waterfalls are high, and you have a good chance to see whales, nesting turtles in some regions, and enjoy surfing on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. As seen above, the local communities in different attraction sites are very helpful. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Find out the best time to visit Costa Rica with details on climate, seasons and events from Audley specialists. Temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the entire year. Theres no bad time to go to Costa Rica.
5 Reasons to NEVER Travel to Costa Rica We'd also recommend traveling in the country's green season, from May to June or in November. If you must travel during this time be sure to check local weather conditions and plan your route accordingly. Taking the last general elections, for example, there were serious concerns among the conservatives that there would be a gay deputy president in the country. In the tropical dry forests, the beginning of the dry season will still have plenty of green scenery to display. (avg. With less rain, there ismore uninterrupted pool time. But times change. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 88 F and average low is 73 F. There are about 11 days of rain and 4 inches of rain falling during the month. 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. We'll go over the best (and worst) times to visit Costa Rica based on weather, peak travel times, cost, and more in this article. The highlands tend to be cooler, whereas the beaches tend to be warmer. Flight from San Jos to Billings. Technically, July and August are part of the rainy season too, but is often considered mini summer because the rain is a little bit lower during these months, especially in the central parts of the country. He is also fond of outdoor and so-called extreme sports, often discovered while traveling and practiced back at home where he focuses on improving his knowledge and skills - so he can explore further on the next trip! It really depends on what your travel goals and priorities are. However, the Caribbean side and slope of Costa Rica, including Arenal Volcano, actually enjoys its best . In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 87 F and average low is 72 F,, with about 14 days of rain and 6 inches of rain. The weather along the Pacific coast is anywhere from somewhat rainy to extreme downpours depending on how far south you go. In light of this, the ideal season to visit Costa Rica truly depends on which of these three considerations is most important to you. Bolivia doesn't quite have the family appeal of Costa Rica or Cancun, say - but those thinking of traveling in Bolivia with kids shouldn't be deterred. The capital city of San Jos and many interior locations attract visitors from Puntarenas for the citys nightlife and natural attractions of the surrounding area. The San Jos, Costa Rica weather is wonderful, staying in the mid-'20s throughout the entire year. Knowing which months are dry or green seasons in the country is crucial as it will help you choose the best place and time to visit.