1. Overview: Discover the best times to visit Costa Rica for a range of experiences such as surfing, wildlife spotting, and enjoying great weather.
2. Best Time for Smaller Crowds: Travel during the green season (May to November) for fewer tourists.
3. Best Time for Good Weather: Enjoy the dry season from December to April for bright, sunny days.
4. Best Time for Lower Prices: Visit during the off-peak months like May and September for the best deals.
5. Best Time for Wildlife Spotting: Experience endemic species by visiting national parks year-round.
6. Best Time for Surfing: March and April offer excellent conditions for beginners, while September and October bring bigger waves for skilled surfers.
Over the last few years, the small Central American nation of Costa Rica has earned a reputation for its easygoing, pura vida sensibility. It’s a place with something for everyone—especially popular with adventure travelers and nature lovers, who flock here to surf, sunbathe, and hike the rain forest. Depending on what draws you here, there are ideal (and less ideal) times to visit. If you want good weather and don’t mind large crowds, the dry season from December to April may be best. In the May-to-November rainy season, you’ll find summer storms and muddy trails, but also smaller crowds and lower prices.
Whether you’re seeking cheap flights, warm waters, or cloudless skies, here are the best times to visit Costa Rica for every type of getaway.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Smaller Crowds
Most travelers choose to visit Costa Rica during the dry season—roughly December through April—when there’s more sunlight and less humidity. To avoid those crowds, plan your trip during the rest of the year.
The period between May and November is Costa Rica’s rainy or “green” season, and while it’s growing in popularity, it’s still your best bet if you’re in search of uncrowded hotels and beaches. Since word has begun to spread about the green season’s low prices and thinner crowds, you might want to schedule your trip for the beginning or end of the season—June, July, and August have become increasingly busy.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Good Weather
The weather in Costa Rica is at its best during the dry, bright season between December and April. Temperatures during this time typically range from the low 70s to high 80s Fahrenheit, but can exceed 90 degrees in the hottest months, March and April. The humidity is manageable but rarely low—try visiting higher-elevation, inland areas rather than the low-lying coasts if you want a minimally muggy trip.
While the months of May through November are humid and rainy, the showers are usually short bursts, not all-day storms. Green season does coincide with the Caribbean hurricane season (which stretches from June to November), but that rarely means direct landfall. Due to Costa Rica’s southerly location, hurricanes in the region typically just deliver extra rain.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Lower Prices
While Costa Rica is a fairly affordable destination year-round, travelers can save on accommodations and flights by traveling during low season when there’s less demand. Since the North American summer is an increasingly popular time to visit Costa Rica, the early and late months of the off-season—such as May and September—are the most affordable. It’s the perfect opportunity to book a room in Costa Rica’s top hotels and resorts.
By a similar token, the months of December through April are the most expensive in Costa Rica because the warm, sunny weather attracts Northern Hemisphere travelers looking to escape the chilly conditions back home.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Wildlife Spotting
Costa Rica is home to endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. The numerous national parks and wildlife refuges help protect these animals while allowing travelers to catch a glimpse.
The best time to spot wildlife depends on which animals you’d most like to see. Some well-known attention-grabbers, like the capuchin monkey, are visible year-round. Those seeking to see sea turtles should head to the Caribbean coast between February and October, or during April and May for leatherback turtles. Generally, it’s best to rise early—well before sunrise—and visit a reserve just as the animals wake up.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Birding
Most birds native to Costa Rica can be spotted all year long, but the best time for bird-watching enthusiasts is during the dry season. Due to less frequent rain, birds are out in force and can be heard singing nearly everywhere; visibility is also improved. If you’re hoping to spot migratory birds, aim for September through November.
You may want to get some local advice if you’re seeking the famed quetzal. This long-tailed Central American bird is considered one of the world’s most beautiful, and its limited range makes it tough to spot. They’re often found feeding on wild avocados in cloud forests during the dry season.
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Surfing
Surfers come from all over the world to catch the waves on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast—especially along the Nicoya Peninsula. In fact, surfing has become as Costa Rican as a bowl of ceviche.
Beginners, and those looking to test minimal surfing skills, should surf in March or April—the last two months of the dry season—when temperatures and humidity rise, and waves remain tame. For experienced surfers, the biggest waves can be found during the rainier months of September and October. However, if you prefer uncrowded beaches for your surf trip, the less touristy season of June through August is an optimal choice.
Best Time to Go to Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast
Limón Province, which stretches along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, is distinctly different from the Pacific edge. Here, visitors will encounter a stronger influence of Afro-Caribbean culture and food, along with a much slower pace of life. Although not the primary destination for many tourists, the Caribbean coast boasts exciting spots like Puerto Viejo (an eclectic town that attracts surfers) or Cahuita National Park (home to sprawling coral reefs).
The best time to visit this area is during the dry season (December to April), as the humidity during the rainy season is significantly more pronounced here.
Best Time to Go to Costa Rica’s Cloud Forests
Monteverde, located in Puntarenas, is the most popular cloud forest in Costa Rica. Here and in similar forests, mountaintops punctuate a deep fog that creates a cloud-like appearance. Visitors may want to avoid visiting during the peak of the wet season (July and August), when hiking paths can become too muddy. Fortunately, the fog formations are not greatly affected by the seasons.
Worst Times to Visit Costa Rica
Even though its popularity is on the rise, the green season remains a less favorable time to visit Costa Rica for those sensitive to rain and high humidity. Particularly on the Caribbean coast, conditions can be quite muggy between May and November, so weather-motivated travelers should schedule trips outside this period.
If avoiding crowds is your main objective, the dry season may be considered the “worst time.” Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Costa Rica from December to April, thus travelers seeking uncrowded attractions should consider visiting during a less popular season.
For a good balance between crowd sizes and climate, consider May or October, when the rainy season is either just beginning or nearing its end.
