There are some areas where it is really wet, particularly the Atlantic slopes, and the northeast and southwest. Thus, plan your travel to this tropical country with an open mind. This does not affect the temperature, however, and this remains more or less constant across the year. Note: contrary to predictions from the Costa Rican weather services that El Niño would delay or mitigate the onset, the 2019 rainy season is right on time and more intense than normal. The dry season happens from December to April (high season) and you can be confident that rain will not have too much of an effect on your vacation if you vi… Weather … The Climate in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Many refer to the Rain Season as the Green Season as everything is lush and in bloom at this time of the year. The low season, or winter in Costa Rica has been dubbed the “Green Season” by the tourism industry because that makes a better first impression than “rainy”. Averages of summer temperature reach 32 °C (90 °F). It breaks the rules in September and October when the rest of the country is experiencing the heaviest rain and the Caribbean beaches are warm, dry and sunny. Cartago, Costa Rica - Travel and vacation weather averages, current conditions and forecasts. Temperatures change a little with the seasons, but not significantly. We have a section of our website which addresses when you should visit Costa Rica. Tornadoes are very uncommon in Costa Rica. In more than three months there were only two stretches of three days when it rained most of the time. The rainy/wet/winter months are known as the “Green Season” for tourism marketing purposes. The climate in Costa Rica is hot all year round in the plains and along the coasts, while it's milder in the plateau, that is, in the so-called tierras templadas. Costa Rica Weather Forecast. Locals are finding that rainy season may not be as wet and dry season may have a few showers. Weather in: September. This region sees high rainfall year round but it does not see the extreme peaks in rainfall seen at the wettest times of year … Like waiting for the perfect moment to eat a ripe piece of fruit, every destination in Costa Rica has its own perfect season. Temperature variations are low because the country is located near the Equator, so the main difference between the seasons is found in the rains. Averages are for Tobias Bolanos International, which is 5 miles from San Jose. The average temperature in Costa Rica is 76°F. When planning your Costa Rica vacation, the weather in Costa Rica is a big part of the equation- the country lies wholly within the tropics, yet boasts about a dozen climatic zones and is notably diverse in local microclimates. The descriptions dry and rainy apply most accurately to the beach destinations of Guanacaste and Nicoya in the northwest corner of Costa Rica. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 72°F to 93°F and is rarely below 68°F or above 97°F. Many refer to the Rain Season as the Green Season as everything is lush and in bloom at this time of the year. It will naturally be a little cooler during the Rainy Season, mostly due to the cloud cover. It is less likely that it will rain even in the rainforest, and in some areas, notably Guanacaste and Nicoya it’s downright arid. In the midst of unpredictable, extreme global weather patterns as of late, Costa Rica is a tropical paradise. January is a hot winter month in Jaco, Costa Rica, with temperature in the range of an average high of 30°C (86°F) and an average low of 23°C (73.4°F).In January, the average high-temperature is practically the same as in December - a tropical 30°C (86°F). The red and orange image links to a map that shows the average hours of sunshine and high and low temperatures by month and region. Courtesy of Mihai Bogdan Lazar - Fotolia.com. If you are thinking about a trip to Costa Rica during the green season, don’t let the weather stop you. Both coasts have a more traditional tropical climate, although as you can see, there are some regional differences. Pack these in your checked bag; they’re expensive to buy in Costa Rica. Nighttime temperature will usually be around the upper 70s. Ojochal has dry periods in January, February and March. The perfect time to visit Guancaste is year around. Be aware, that the temperatures don’t change much when the rains start, anywhere in the country, but only the humidity. The Caribbean coast follows a different pattern with more consistent rainfall year round but noticeable decreases centered on October and March. Average Weather in La Fortuna Costa Rica. Costa Rica weather is predictably unpredictable, so it can rain at any time no matter where you are in the country. Seasons. At the heart of the country, Costa Rica experiences a more temperate climate than on the coasts. The best time of year to visit Alajuela in Costa Rica. In La Fortuna, the wet season is oppressive and overcast, the dry season is humid and partly cloudy, and it is hot year round. Unlike other countries with four established seasons, the climate in Costa Rica can easily be divided into two seasons: rainy and dry. Span of such conditions equals whole summer. The only thing that is certain about the Caribbean side is the weather is well-known to be unpredictable. The sun typically rises around 5:45 am and sets around 5:45 pm. If I were to provide one final piece of advice, it would be to bring a light rain jacket, no matter what time of the year you are visiting (Costa Rica packing list). Based on weather reports collected during 1985–2015. Costa Rica enjoys mild temperatures all year ranging usually ranging from 70 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit although it is hotter on the beaches and temperatures can get up into the mid-90’s. This section goes into greater detail by providing what to expect each month not only for weather, but also for holidays, reservations patterns and more. Bars and nightclubs are much more fun and there is an audience for live music and other performances. In San José, the wet season is humid and overcast, the dry season is partly cloudy, and it is warm year round. In general, higher areas are cooler and have more rain. Summer in Costa Rica. The rest of the Pacific side and much of the central mountains follow a similar pattern although with more precipitation in general. Those long summer nights are a polar phenomenon and this close to the equator the days are only a few minutes longer. During these drizzly days, it was clear and sunny on the opposite side of the country, so we could have avoided the rain had we thought it was a real annoyance. The Pacific slope and beach areas enjoy the best weather from December through April. Alajuela has dry periods in January, February and March. It is also usually nice on that side during the months of February, March, April, May and August. We have two main seasons, the Dry Season and the Rain Season. Wildlife can be easier to spot as it concentrates around shrinking water sources and the deciduous trees drop their leaves thinning the camouflage. The towering Talamanca Mountain range which divides the Caribbean and Pacific slopes is one of the most influential factors affecting the weather in Costa Rica. Even less frequently, a hurricane will actually hit Costa Rica, but on average only once every 20 – 25 years and limited to the Caribbean slope of the country. There are however annual patterns which you can plan travel around to maximize your odds of taking advantage of the best weather. It sounds way better than rainy. September is the second-rainiest month of the year in most of Costa Rica, especially during La Niña This creates tropical rainforests at the base of these mountains and cloud forests in higher elevations. The wet season is from May to November, and during these months you can expect a downpour at some point almost every day. Average Weather in San José Costa Rica. The last month of the winter, February, is also a moderately hot month in Monteverde, Costa Rica, with average temperature ranging between max 27°C (80.6°F) and min 18°C (64.4°F).In February, the average high-temperature is relatively the same as in January - a still warm 27°C (80.6°F). Obviously, another motivation for Northern American and European travelers is escaping the snow, cold weather and dark at home. You may have noticed that like the southern hemisphere the names of Costa Rica’s seasons are reversed relative to the U.S., Europe and Canada. The Northwest Pacific is one of the driest climates in Costa Rica. Instead, each month in Costa Rica brings its own set of weather pros and cons. A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the month of: May, June, July, August, September and October. Let us make you a free custom trip plan! Tortuguero is next the Caribbean Sea, and the weather there is wet and humid, and rainy most of the year. Costa Rica Weather, climate and geography Weather and climate Best time to visit. The range looms all the way up into the clouds and halts weather systems, which in turn dump large amounts of rain into them. The term “peak season” is often used to describe the two weeks from just before Christmas until after the New Year when special higher pricing is in effect for the holidays. Many hotels and other tourist businesses are closed during that time. While you used to be able to identify the time of year based solely on weather patterns, climate change has thrown Costa Rica a bit of a curveball. April is the hottest month of the year and October is usually the coolest. Unlike the Pacific side, the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica enjoys the best weather in September and October. In addition to tourists, Arctic storms drive ocean swells southward and the surf is bigger and more reliable in the high season. Sunshine levels get up to seven or eight hours of sunshine per day with March and April seeing the sunniest weather of the year. With that said, we can receive some of the outer storms generated by hurricanes, but not often. Unsure of what to do? While the north is blanketed in snow December through April Costa Rica is enjoying “summer”. This can be confusing when you pause to realize that Costa Rica is not in the southern hemisphere, it’s in the northern. Annual Weather Averages Near San Jose. Holiday Weather. It is harder to get reservations, everything is relatively crowded and the prices are higher. The sunniest days in Costa Rica are in February which has the most hours of sunshine per day with an average of 7.8 hours of sunshine per day, making it a quite sunny month with some cloud cover. Costa Rica is located between Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Northwest Pacific Weather. Don’t forget they call it summer even though it’s Christmas time. We believe in sustainable tourism, are ICT certified and in perfect standing with the following organizations. Holiday Weather - We provide weather averages for Costa Rica, Mexico. Located 8 to 12 degrees north of the Equator, Costa Rica enjoys a tropical climate year round with an average high of 27°C (81°F) and an average low of 18°C (64°F). The longest days in Costa Rica are in June, with an average of 12.7 hours of daylight per day.December has the shortest days with an average of 11.5 hours of daylight per day.. The South Pacific begins to receive daily showers around May which escalate into harder rains as the season progresses. It does however have a rainy season from May to November. Costa Rica Rainfall Pattern Rainy Season: The real rain months are September and October when it is sometimes difficult to get around. Further up the Pacific coast, in areas such as the Guanacaste beaches, the rains do not noticeably hit until around mid-July and the significant rains usually only last during the months of September and October. Many Costa Rica regulars prefer the green season, but there are some disadvantages as well. Search : Search. The high/dry season from January through March means higher prices and more crowds. Best Time to Visit San Jose, Costa Rica - Weather Year Round. I always struggle to answer this because the Costa Rica weather is so different depending on the time of year. San Jose is the capital and largest city in Costa Rica, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central America. Elevation plays a role in the climate of various areas as well. By VI Staff on October 15, 2020 - Updated. Sunshine is plentiful throughout both dry and rainy seasons, with an average year-found temperature of 72ºF in the Central Valley.These weather conditions are budget friendly with utility bills, as air conditioning is rarely used and heaters are not necessary. Costa Rica is located close to the equator, so don’t forget your eco-friendly sunscreen no matter what region or time of year you’re traveling. The zones range from coastal mangroves, to tropical rainforest, to near desert like conditions, to cloud forest. Here are some average weather facts we collected from our historical climate data: On average, the temperatures are always high. Location of Costa Rica. The tourism high and low seasons follow the precipitation patterns on the Pacific side where the beach resorts are located. using Weatherbase's weather averages and normals. Averages. For example, Guanacaste has a dry arid climate as it sits on the lowlands. The Dry Season is generally warmer as it is sunnier. And bring along some eco-friendly bug spray as well. The short answer is it is highly unlikely that a hurricane will hit Costa Rica due to the latitude. Hurricanes in the Caribbean Sea generally only hit starting at latitude 15 and north. Veteran Costa Rica travelers know that this time of year doesn’t need a special moniker to make it appealing; prices are halved, crowds are gone, and while the rain forested slopes of the mountains may be getting drenched, perfect sunny days at the beach aren’t at all unusual. We have two main seasons, the Dry Season and the Rain Season. Note: contrary to predictions from the Costa Rican weather services that   El Niño would delay or mitigate the onset, the 2019 rainy season is right on time and more intense than normal. Thus, Costa Rica has no winter season. Caribbean side of Costa Rica is hooter. The sun sets about 6:00 p.m. year round. Costa Rica itself has an average temperature of 70 F to 81 F. Due to its proximity to the equator, it has no real summer or winter. Costa Rica weather is also affected by seasonal patterns, though unlike the four seasons found in places like the United States and Canada. Home / The Americas / North America / Mexico / Costa Rica. Costa Rica weather is also affected by seasonal patterns, though unlike the four seasons found in places like the United States and Canada. Inland rainforest destinations such as Arenal, Sarapiqui or Turrialba usually have daytime temperatures between the mid-70s to mid-80s and nighttime temps around the upper 60s to mid-70s. The main disadvantage of traveling to Costa Rica while it’s snowing up north is that it is the tourist high season. Check out what other travelers are saying about us! In San Jose especially, the weather is relatively mild all year round with temperatures rarely dropping below 14° C and climbing generally to around 27° C. Night time lows are usually in the upper 70s. Sort by: Resort ; London 338813: Tenerife 265101: Tokyo 257593: Dubai … Costa Rica’s two seasons are the dry “summer” (verano) – January through April and rainy “winter”  (invierno) – May through December. The main reason for the diversity in Costa Rica’s weather is the various elevations at which different parts of the country are located. The country is home to twelve distinct climate zones and literally hundreds of microclimate pockets. The beach areas have a fairly steady year round temperature with daytime highs averaging in the upper 80s to lower 90s. It also seems a little dark sometimes. Warm tropical beaches have much more appeal when you’re knee deep in slush, and travelers from the north will also be rewarded with an extra few hours of sunshine every day. The little blue and yellow map image links to an interactive weather map that shows the total annual precip and the monthly average rainfall for each region in Costa Rica. Exceptions to the rule: Arenal is still in high dry season, although as one of the rainier areas of Costa Rica, you may still get caught in the occasional shower. However, this time can still be great for vacation in Costa Rica. The main attraction of the high season is the weather. Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica, no obligation custom trip plan & price quote, average hours of sunshine and high and low temperatures, How Caribbean Storms Bring Pacific Flooding to Costa Rica, Costa Rica Dry Season, Temperatures & Sunshine Map. By the end of August and early September, this area receives torrential rainfalls daily. © 2020  Thank you for visiting Pacific Trade Winds, Enter Costa Rica. Rainfall is just one of the factors that goes into determining the best time to visit Costa Rica and by its very nature weather is unpredictable. Here are some average weather facts we collected from our historical climate data: On average, the temperatures are always high. Plan your travel to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is thought to be a tropical country because it is close to the equator about 10 degrees to the north. Similar to hurricanes, the odds of encountering a tornado in Costa Rica are slim to none. To avoid humidity, we recommend Guanacaste, as it has the least rain in the country, year-round. Average rainfall in Costa Rica is around 100 inches a year, but some areas in Costa Rica’s mountains can get 25 feet of … A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the month of: May, June, July, August, September and October. The best time of year to visit Ojochal in Costa Rica. Somewhere it’s sunny, somewhere it’s raining, somewhere it’s dry, somewhere it’s hot, somewhere it’s cool… Contact us to get an itinerary suited to the current weather in Costa Rica. In terms of weather conditions summer in pacific coasts of the country is almost same as spring unless there is more precipitation. Unless you’re working on a degree in atmospheric science, it’s better to just accept this quirk and enjoy it rather than trying to explain it. Other months can be fairly wet. In San José, temperatures linger in the 70s year-round, while drier regions along the Northern Plains and coast, like Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste, see 90-degree temps. This is a popular question, particularly given the fact that September and October are traditionally the best months for travel on the Caribbean coast. There really is no “best” time to visit this beautiful country. Coastal areas of Costa Rica are generally hot with daytime temperatures reaching the mid-80s to mid-90s most days. The climate zones are generally divided by factors such as elevation, distance to the coast, seasonal patterns and forest cover. It is the rainforest after all…. Over half the days it didn’t rain at all and the rest of the time it was a couple of hours in the afternoon bracketed by brilliant sunshine. Costa Rica’s two seasons are the dry “summer” (verano) – January through April and rainy “winter” (invierno) – May through December.. Pacific Side. Costa Rica Guide does have a pretty decent map that shows it more or less but if you go to the weather specialist during the rainy season, you can find out more about each location. Even the crowds have their up side though. Therefore, the odds of a hurricane hitting during the few days you might stay on the Caribbean side of the country are marginal at best. You can also follow these links directly to the dedicated pages for each month: JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember, We hope this addresses your questions about the weather in Costa Rica. From Christmas until the end of the first week in January, and Easter week are double jeopardy periods with lots of international travelers, and many Ticos traveling (the beaches are especially crowded). For the most pleasant, least humid weather in Costa Rica, you want to be in Guanacaste. Somewhere in Costa Rica you will find the place that matches your individual demands all year round! Each of these pockets is capable of producing unique weather patterns and can be as close as a few kilometers apart. Travel from one side of Costa Rica to another, or from the coast to the mountains, and you’ll be in an entirely different microclimate. The Caribbean (east) half of the country doesn’t show strong seasonal variation and tends to be rainier year round. The Osa Peninsula gets so much rain that travel becomes difficult and many of the lodges shut down in September and October. Our first rainy season traveling in Costa Rica we expected the worst, but were pleasantly surprised. In the last 10 years, there have only been three tornadoes, each of which quickly dissipated, left little damage, did not harm anybody and were categorized at EF-0 storms, which have wind speeds of 65 – 85 miles per hour. Costa Rica's Carribean Coast. Everything is open and running extended hours. Cloud forest destinations such as Monteverde will be cooler with daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to upper 70s and overnight temps in the 50s to 60s. There are 12 hours of sunlight each day. Weather in January » The seasonal patterns vary by location and generally depend on which slope of the Talamanca Mountain range the destination is located on.