The time of year you choose to travel to costa rica may mean the. Costa ricas high season for tourism runs from late november to late april, which coincides almost perfectly with the chill of winter in the united states, canada, and europe. The caribbean coast of costa rica, much like other portions of the country, has its own microclimate. Valley and the pacific coast experience slightly different weather patterns. The caribbean coast is generally hot, humid, and rainy yearround, with a short break in september and october. The best time to visit costa rica, either for a beach holiday or for exploring the rich nature of the country, runs from january to midapril, and in particular the months of february and march. The wettest months are september and october when the country as whole receives and average of 355 and 330 millimeters of rain respectively. With so many varying weather systems and microclimates mixed into the makeup of costa rica, use the chart or the infographic below to help guide you when navigating the weather for your trip. For the pacific side of costa rica, the rainy season starts in the beginning of may, and goes through the middle of december.
Costa rica weather by month full break down costa rica vibes. The dry season in the guanacaste province, for example, is different than the dry season on the caribbean coast. Entirely encompassed by guanacaste province, this part of the country is the most visited, yet it is also one of the least populated parts of costa rica among the best and most easily accessible diving sites in the country, the north pacific coast has an abundance of marine. Mar 25, 2018 rainy season in costa rica, or green season as it is often called, runs from later april until december. Costa rica weather is one of the main concerns for travelers and one of the things they must know about costa rica before they visit. May 15, 2019 the costa rica rainy season is a common concern for travelers, but dont let the rain keep you away. Dec 19, 2019 costa ricas weather is the typical tropical climate with a rainy and dry season. Costa rica weather by month full break down costa rica. October is the best time of the year to visit the caribbean side of costa rica, puerto viejo area has everything you want to do. Cahuita national park is another good site for snorkeling at the southern coast of the caribbean side of costa rica. You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. In those months the entire pacific coast is rainy, while the caribbean coast is sunny and dry. The caribbean coast has unpredictable and usually wetter weather, and the pacific coast can be hot yearround. Rainy season in costa rica a complete guide costa rica.
Another thing to take into consideration is that there are. For those hoping to avoid the crowds and get off season deals, may to november the wet, green season can be a fair alternative. In the lowlands, its hot, the sun shines and there is little rain, except on the east coast, which as we mentioned is rainy throughout the year. The park is located on the central pacific coast, just 5 miles 8 km south of the town of quepos in puntarenas, and about 82 miles 2 km from san jose. If you want to avoid the tourist fuss and get more economic rates for lodging, the early months of the rainy season are a great time to travel to costa rica. The rainy season in costa rica usually lasts from may to early december, with the heaviest rains falling in september and october. Rainy season typically begins in may and goes until november. Countries in northern latitudes often enjoy four seasons. Most tourist and investors travel to the pacific coast of costa rica in the summer meaning decemberapril. The best time to travel to costa rica is from late november through april. The rainy or green season in costa rica goes from aprilmay through novemberdecember while the dry or high season goes from december through april.
Climate differs regionally in costa rica because of its extremely varied topography, so in some places, the seasons are slightly different. This mini dry season sees significantly less rainfall especially on the northwest pacific coast and is an ideal time for wildlife spotting and. For the central and south pacific coast jacomanuel antonio costa ballenaosa peninsula, this area is very humid and tends to rain more. Since costa rica is located in the tropics, it is a great yearround destination, but the dry season between december to april is generally considered the best time to visit. Costa ricas rainy season aka green season lasts from may to november. While costa rica has a clearly defined rainy or green season, that doesnt mean you wont see some heavy rainfall during the dry season. The reason for this diversity is the close proximity of the pacific ocean and caribbean sea, as well the mountain ranges that separate these two. Tips for visiting costa rica during the rainy season box when exactly is the rainy season. The pacific region is characterized by a welldefined dry and rainy season. So, if we are ever going to make it to costa rica, my husband has to find a new line of work, or we have to go during the rainy season. Costa rica s rainy season is traditionally from may into december but precisely how wet it is depends on when and where. Visiting during the costa rica rain season can have some real advantages.
Mar 25, 2020 though majority of visitors want to see costa rica in all its sunny glory, theres something magical about costa rica in rainy season that isnt there in dry season. Keep in mind that on the pacific coast of costa rica, during the dry season many of the trees lose their leaves, and theres a lot of dust on the roads. For those hoping to avoid the crowds and get offseason deals, may to november the wet, green season can be a fair alternative. As mentioned before, costa rica climate varies by region. The pacific region begins in the northwest and ends in the southeast, meaning that the dividing line changes from north to south. The dry season is the best time to visit costa rica if you want to split your time between sunbathing on the beach and diving into the underwater world. The caribbean coast stretches for some 125 miles between panama and nicaragua. Though there is a rainy season, it is much shorter, making it a popular destination for beach goers. Rainy season in costa rica, or green season as it is often called, runs from later april until december. Although this time is considered the rainy season, it does not mean that you will have nonstop rain. If youre worried about visiting costa rica in rainy season, dont.
Compared to other parts of costa rica, the climate along the north pacific coast is typically hot and dry. Why you should visit costa rica in the rainy season two weeks. Along the north pacific coast the driest part of costa rica the dry season lasts six months november to may, and average annual rainfall is 1. Both seasons have great things to offer to visitors, depending on what you want to do and where you want to go. Within costa rica, however, theres significant variation in weather. Costa rica has a tropical climate with two seasons.
Access hourly, 10 day and 15 day forecasts along with up to the minute reports and videos from accuweather. On the pacific coast, october is the peak of the rainy season, thiugh you may have more than a couple of sunny days. The region is sparsely populated, but has splendid beaches, excellent fishing, great water sports and it gives endless opportunities for getting close to nature. Or it radically changes and in the sunny season it is brown and yellowish. In the rainy season, the animals of costa rica come to life. Costa ricas rainy season is traditionally from may into december but precisely how wet it is depends on when and where. It might not rain all day every day, but there is a good chance of consistent rainfall for three to four days at a time. The mornings are often sunny and dry, meaning that there is plenty of time to get out and see all the great things that costa rica has to offer with the added bonus of lusher surroundings. So, in this article i will explain the nuances of the rainy season, its regional rainfall differences, and its positive effect on our living experience. Generally speaking, the caribbean coast is much wetter than the rest of the country, even. In this post, well cover the best and worst time to visit costa rica based on weather, peak travel times, cost, and more.
A dry season that runs from december through april, and a rainy season that runs from may through november. Many vacationers and expats are cashing in on to the rainy season secret. Northwest pacific costa rica enter costa rica plan your. Along the north pacific coast the driest part of costa rica the dry season lasts six months.
Costa rica is a tropical country with distinct wet and dry seasons on the pacific. Costa rica does have tropical weather and during the rainy season, you can expect sunny mornings and afternoon showers that. North pacific coast costa rica go visit costa rica. Cahuita national park is one of the smallest national parks in costa rica, playing its important role in protecting biologically diverse. As you move south along the pacific coast, humidity levels rise. This is a good time to visit northwest costa rica tamarindo, nosara, santa teresa, the central pacific manuel antonio, uvita, and the. There are many differences between costa ricas caribbean and pacific coasts. Surf seasons in costa rica photo via elite beach villas. Because costa ricas rainy season starts soft, early may is often indistinguishable from the dry season. While the caribbean coast is raining all year round due to damp winds, a. Weather visit costa rica costa rica tourism official. Dec 14, 2016 rainy season is actually an amazing time to visit or spend extended time on the central pacific coast of costa rica.
By late may and june light afternoon showers are common, but mornings are generally sunny. The surf in costa rica a guide to the regions, seasons, and. If you want some unadulterated time on a tropical beach and a little less rain. The rainy or green season from may to november is actually a preferred travel time for many seasoned costa rica travelers.
Also, the rainy season has just ended so everything is still very green and lush looking. Mar 22, 2019 costa ricas weather can turn quickly photo. The northern plains of costa rica and the caribbean coast are areas that get more rain all year round. A common question when vacationing in costa rica is which coast to visit. For most of costa rica, the dry season lasts from midnovember through may. In fact, there is a chance you wont have any ran at all. It might not rain all day every day, but there is a good chance of. Why you should visit costa rica in the rainy season two. Sunny days, awesome surf and stunning beaches are three ways that best describe the north pacific coast of costa rica. On the pacific coast, during september and october, it rains a significant amount every single day. Best time to visit costa rica two weeks in costa rica. The surf in costa rica a guide to the regions, seasons. Costa rica in the rainy season is green, green, green.
Costa rica weather is defined by two seasons and they are called the dry, or peak season, and the green season, or wet season. Mar 28, 2020 visiting costa rica during the rainy season. The months that you can expect the most rain would be september. Generally, the rainy season or green season is from may to midnovember in most of the country, with notable exceptions on the caribbean coast. Costa rica rainy season monthly rainfall map costa rica guide. Summer is the dry season december april and winter is the rainy season may november. Rainy season is actually an amazing time to visit or spend extended time on the central pacific coast of costa rica. Sep 25, 2019 as you move south along the pacific coast, humidity levels rise. Home to vast expanses of tropical dry forests that often line the beaches, this area plays host to an array of animals including many species of sea birds and monkeys. The average high temperature for jaco beach, costa rica is 86 degrees fahrenheit during rainy season. In the depths of the rainy season september and october the rain shadow effect is reversed. Are we nuts to visit the pacific coast that month due to it being the height of the rainy season. The rainfall map shows inches of accumulation for each month of the year in a dozen regions. However, uvita, a small beach town in the south pacific coast is the only place that has an abundance of humpback whales during both times of the year.
However, this is also the high tourism season, so plan on paying more for your hotel room. Weather visit costa rica costa rica tourism official website. Nov 12, 2014 tips for visiting costa rica during the rainy season box when exactly is the rainy season. The pacific slope rainy season in costa rica is from may to middecember with a dramatic peak in precipitation september into november.
For the central and south pacific coast jacomanuel antonio costa ballena osa peninsula, this area is very humid and tends to rain more. When is the best time to visit costa rica for vacation. In tropical costa rica, however, there are just two seasons. The beach towns are much prettier during rainy season, and its not as hot because theres more shade and less sun. Facts about weather in costa rica planning your vacation. What to know about visiting costa rica in the rainy season. Even if it rains, you will still have an incredible time.
There are beautiful days all year longeven in the wet season, there will be periods of absolute perfection. The guanacaste region, along with the pacific coast and central valley. The best time to visit costa rica is from middecember to april the dry season. Nationwide, the country averages around 100 inches per year, with some specific areas receiving up to 25 feet of rainfall per calendar year in mountainous areas.
The rainy season is from may to november and the dry season from december to april. Jaco beach costa rica weather rainy and dry season. The caribbean coast follows a different pattern with more consistent rainfall. Theres nearly no rainfall in the dry season between january and april. Of the many national parks in costa rica, manuel antonio boasts the honor of being both the smallest and one of the most biodiverse parks in the country. On the pacific coast and the plateau, there are a dry season from december to april and a rainy season from may to november. The guanacaste region, along with the pacific coast and central valley, tends to experience wetter days. The northwestsoutheast orientation of the mountain range divides costa rica into two sides. The weather is basically perfect if you are visiting the pacific coast. Flanked by the atlantic and pacific oceans, the country offers more than 800 miles of gorgeous coastline, and each beach town has its own perks and appeal. Most of the pelagic species found during the rainy season leave costa ricas coast and are replaced by a variety of fish and macro species.
When it rains, is it typically an allday affair, or is it more likely to be a. These include the whiteheaded capuchin, the mantled howler, the endangered geoffroys spider monkey, and the central american squirrel monkey, found only on the pacific coast of costa rica and a small part of panama, and considered endangered until 2008, when its status was upgraded to vulnerable. Please consult a costa rica expert on the general climate of your destinations of interest over your travel dates. Though majority of visitors want to see costa rica in all its sunny glory, theres something magical about costa rica in rainy season that isnt there in dry season. Costa rica is located between pacific ocean and the caribbean sea. Due to varying elevations and environments, there are multiple microclimates around the country. Depending on where you go in costa rica, everything is green all year round northern plains, south pacific or caribbean coast. During the months of december to april, the dry season, much of the country experiences little if any rain. Climate of guanacaste climate, guanacaste, costa rica.
Rainforest zones like the southern pacific coast and the osa peninsula have the longest rainy season and get the most rain. Our jobs do not allow us to take vacation from december to april. The dry season is rather intense in the province, with no rainfall for several months. Costa ricas caribbean coast often experiences strong storms that form over the atlantic ocean yearround, resulting in heavy rainfall.
The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and july to december. Best time to visit costa rica climate chart and table. The central part of costa rica has the same kind of rain patterns as the pacific coast. When planning your costa rica vacation, consider the pros and cons of visiting during the countrys dry versus rainy season also known as the green season. Climate in costa rica in general, a typical tropical climate prevails in costa rica, with the high mountain ranges and many volcanoes creating a climate divide that leads to regional differences.
Not only is the forest rejuvenated with the rain, but so are the animals. North pacific coast, december to april, may to november. However, there are many microclimates in the country. To really get a sense of the seasonality of rainfall, check out this chart we made with data from costa ricas national meteorological institute. Everything is green, food is plentiful, and new animals are born making the entire forest more active. In the early fall, places like manuel antonio and arenal are hit with fairly steady rain.
It rains quite often and there is no true rainy season. If you are looking for great weather, you are almost guaranteed sunny skies and rainfree days. Guide to surfing costa rica the surf in costa rica. The rainfall map shows inches of accumulation for each. Husband and i planning a firsttime trip to cr in october. Dec 16, 2011 keep in mind that on the pacific coast of costa rica, during the dry season many of the trees lose their leaves, and theres a lot of dust on the roads. Rainy season in costa rica costa rica forum tripadvisor. During costa ricas rainy season, the northeast trade winds diminish and moist air arrives from the pacific, bringing rain to much of the country.
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