worst time to visit costa rica worst time to visit costa rica

The dry season lasts from December to April, and the rainy season lasts from May to November. Even dry seasons can have unexpected rain, so visitors should always be prepared in advance. Most of the rain that falls in November comes towards the beginning of the month. For those who love waterfall hiking, then here is your solution. If a rainy afternoon would ruin your vacation, visit in dry season. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Month by Month December is the most crowded month, as the holiday crowd usually rushes in during this period. It really depends on what your travel goals and priorities are. At this time, the weather is dry and bright. At elevations above sea level, often referred to as the lowlands, the temperature is typically approximately 79 Fahrenheit (26 Celsius), whereas, in the so-called highlands, it is typically 55 Fahrenheit (13 Celsius). October through December are the worst months to visit Aruba. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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 is home to the oldest city in all of Central America; The Ruins of Len Viejo. When to go to Costa Rica - Best Time to Visit - Natural World Safaris Costa Rica doesnt have the 4 traditional seasons. On the Pacific Coast, the month with the highest amount of rain. Most days remain sunny, and they receive afternoon showers which help keep the temperatures steady. The mountain regions are yet to dry, the road in them is clogged with mad, and you can still experience rainfalls at any given time. Temperature averages throughout the country range from 75F to 90F year-round. You know the best time to visit Costa Rica, but making the most of your trip to Costa Rica means you need a little more info to plan your getaway. There are two distinct seasons in Costa Rica. Truly, you can have a great time in this country any time of year. We are also a member of several other affiliate networks. Palmeros Festival in Costa Rica takes place in January and draws in a ton of visitors (about 1 hour from San Jose) and includes concerts, dancing, and food sampling. However, if you prefer enjoying your vacation/trip when there are fewer crowds, then the ideal time of year to visit Costa Rica is either May or November. The weather is amazing with little rain to ruin your outdoor plans, crowds are moderate, and pricing for airfare, accommodations, and car rentals are lower than in the true high season. Due to the high numbers of tourists present, accommodation facilities and most leisure activities/amenities are usually fully booked while the available ones are overpriced. The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest. Located along the Pacific Coast, the park has light sand beaches, ancient rainforests, coral reefs, and clear water. You'll find significant rain almost every day. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 78 F. There are 17 days with rain, receiving about 7 inches of rain total. Although she spends most of her time writing, she also enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, watching films, cooking, dining out, reading, motorsports, gaming, and walking along the beach next to her house with her dog. are many perks of traveling in rainy season, Where to Find Black Sand Beaches in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Experts Wins 2022 Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award, Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: What to Expect Month by Month, 8 Costa Rica Natural Mysteries You Have to See to Believe, 10 Top Costa Rica Honeymoon Bungalows & Suites, 3 Costa Rica Hotels Made The Travel & Leisure Top 100 in the World List, Costa Rica Expert Interview with Aaron Daker: top destinations, new hotels, & best months to travel. The choices of the animal parks you can visit are limited to places such as the Punta Uva and Cahuita National Parks. What to Know About Visiting Costa Rica in the Rainy Season - MytanFeet On average, the warmest months are January, February, March, April, May, June and August. As the month goes on, the drier and sunnier it will become, with about 40-50% of the days in November being sunny by the end of the month. May, June and July are the rainiest. Traveling to new places has changed our lives, and we hope to share our experience, insight, and passion with you in order to inspire you to change yours as well! Next-door neighbours Nicaragua Dropdown content and Panama Dropdown content make the easiest and most obvious add-ons to a sojourn in Costa Rica. The chart again shows that it is wise to avoid Limon in June and July, but take advantage of September and October. Our advice is to book your holiday vacations well in advance to reserve the best hotel rooms and take advantage of any early bird specials. Best time to go to Liberia (Guanacaste) - Where and When to travel? On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 91 F and average low is 80 F. There are 2 days with rain, receiving less than 1 inch of rain total. They include: According to the Culture Trip, theft is a common type of crime in Costa Rica, so the chances of you losing your values to this are so high. These same two months are among the most popular months for western Caribbean cruises because other destinationssuch as Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Roatanalso have lighter rain during the same time. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. July is very similar to June, with about 16 rainy days and 7 inches of rainfall throughout the month. Costa Rica Monthly Weather Averages: Rain, Temperatures, Costa Rica Travel Information: Tips, Attractions, Weather, Puntarenas is quiet during the summer. As the heavy rainfall begins to wrap up in mid-December, its also one of the best times of year to spot wildlife on land and in the ocean. There are a lot of candidates for the most treacherous, risky, menacing peril awaiting visitors to Costa Rica - crocodiles in the estuaries, dengue mosquitoes in the swamps, deadly vipers in the rainforest, and psychos behind the wheel of cars, trucks and buses. Natural wildlife and beauty aside, Costa Ricas bustling cities are another great reason to visit. But what sets this resort apart is the stunning location with panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. Overall, the winter months (the driest months) and the summer months of July and August (which have a bit of a lull during the rainy season) are the best times to visit Costa Rica. Copyright 2023 Exploration Junkie. Click here to learn how to make the most out of your trip. The best months during this dry season are November through April because of a lower risk of rain. Passports, electronics, money, and even sunglasses and shoes are easy targets and highly sought after by thieves. In order to keep dry and avoid getting muddy whenever possible, make sure you pack the proper clothing and footwear. Oh, and before we forget, December gives you another opportunity to see the extraordinary decorations by the Costa Ricans. 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. The UNESCO world heritage listed the island as among the best-inhabited places for those who love nature. There are direct flights from San Jose to Tamarindo that take about 1 hour, but keep in mind that you'll have to factor in time for checking in and going through security at the airport. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. However, at this time, you should avoid Drake Bay, Corcovado, because the rains arrive early. However, some, Read More The Top Five Ski Resorts in CaliforniaContinue, Many people who visit Cape Cod do so to enjoy the outdoors. As Costa Rica has over 20 micro-climates, day and night time temperatures and the . . On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 91 F and average low is 80 F. There are 7 days with rain, receiving about 2 inches of rain total. On the Caribbean Coast, the average high is 85 F and the average low is 77 F. The area sees about 2 inches of rain, with an average of 4 rainy days per month. I'm happy that you landed on my page and hope to inspire your wanderlust and encourage you to get outside your comfort zone. The few available hotels are usually aware that in some parts, hotels have closed, so they take advantage of the situation and hike prices. Best time to visit Sweden 2021| Rough Guides | Rough Guides Despite its skimpy scale, Costa Rica's mountains, rainforests, cloud forests and Pacific and Caribbean coasts mean that temperatures and rainfall vary wildly. Least crowded months in Costa Rica: May-October Dry Season in Costa Rica For most of the country, dry season means picture-perfect sunny days, fewer rain showers, and slightly warmer temperatures. 2. On the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. This is the driest month of the year, with an average of 1.3 inches of rainfall, and an average of 4 rainy days per month. The Best and Worst Times to Visit Costa Rica - moneyinc.com Be sure to plan your stay before mid-December, because prices (and crowds) pick back up for Christmas break near the end of December. This is a mixed blessing as you wont burn as easily, but it can inhibit views sometimes. Costa Rica has a tropical climate with two seasons: dry season and rainy (or, "green," as locals may call it) season. She finds almost all topics she writes about interesting, but her favorite subjects are travel and food. 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. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 88 F and average low is 74 F. There are about 10 days of rain and 4.5 inches of rain falling during the month. They have an amazing way of doing flowers. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. If you want to experience the lush vegetation and smaller crowds, rainy season might be your best bet. The hottest month of the year is usually just about 3 degrees Celsius warmer than . The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2023 | Travellers One other way of deciding which months are best for destinations in Costa Rica is by looking at the average number of days that it rains each month. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 80 F. More than half the days are sunny, with 7 days of rain and 2 inches of rain falling. 30 Tips Before Travelling In Costa Rica | 2021 Travel Guide 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 Most Affordable Time to Visit Costa Rica. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 79 F. There are 13 days with rain, receiving about 6 inches of rain total. A Guide to Visiting Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica Top-notch wildlife and bird watching, hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating are all great reasons to visit. Theres something for everyone here youve just got to know the best time to visit Costa Rica to plan the ideal vacation! , March is still part of the dry season, and has slightly less sunny days than January and February, with about 50% of the days being sunny . Still, its a great time to visit Costa Rica for a sunny tropical getaway . It was founded in 1985 as a family passion and today, it is among worlds leading producers of, Read More The Five Finest Mangusta Yachts of All-TimeContinue, There is something for everyone at sprawling 222-room Hacienda Encantada in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Rainy days and cloudy skies continue throughout the country. Hurricane Season. Destination Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec; Arenal Volcano: 28 . Its green season in Costa Rica, but a brief pocket of sunshine breaks up the rain inJuly in what locals call veranillo, or little summer. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 88 F and average low is 72 F. This is a very dry month, with usually only a day of rain. Barrio La California, If you want to see the world, go see it! Typically, the sky clears up as the rains begin to taper off for dry season, and you can experience beautiful beach days on the Pacific Coast. The Overmarine group is a shipyard and company that has always produced the Mangusta range of Yachts. To the North, the Nation borders Nicaragua, and to the South, it has Panama. April typically marks the end of the dry season. Naturally, human beings wish to hear the good side of the story before the bad one. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 92 F and average low is 80 F. This is the hottest month of the year. With fewer demand for airfare, accommodations, and rentals, prices are also cheaper during the low season. Youll need to be prepared for rain most days, and heavy rain at that. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 88 F and average low is 78 F. There are 12 days with rain, receiving about 5 inches of rain total, with rain decreasing throughout the month. See average Costa Rica temperatures, seasonal weather patterns, pricing differences between the two seasons, and the least crowded time of year to visit below. The month also gives a chance to visit the parks to see how animals transition their behavioral patterns. Things You Should Never Do While Visiting Costa Rica - Culture Trip Although they're tightly packed into the waist of the Americas, each Central American nation boasts its own character, attractions and heritage. Best and Worst Times to Visit Aruba - Caribeez.com The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2023. Plus, there may still bespring break travelers, so youll want to book your vacation well in advance. This is the low season in Costa Rica due to the heavy rainfall (its the peak and tail end of the rainy season). If avoiding big crowds for a serene, peaceful getaway is your main goal, the best time to visit Costa Rica is anytime during October through mid-December. Therefore, you may consider visiting Costa Ricas northern Pacific coast to enjoy the regions pleasant environment if youre looking for the countrys highest temperature. Around 75% of the country's 6,000,000 people live on less than $2 per day, well below the poverty line of most countries. With less rain, there ismore uninterrupted pool time. In April, this beautiful area experiences morning sunshine and afternoon light rain. Best Times to Visit Jaco - Weather, Season, Temperature - TripHobo The most interesting feature of the Costa Ricans is their happiness. Some hotels increase their prices in these months. While the days are still warm, nighttime temperatures can drop to -20C, and some tours have pre-dawn starts. This is when you catch the seasons in transition, and the national parks are quieter. When Is the Worst Time to Travel to the Bahamas? | USA Today Costa Rica, the land of Pura Vida ("pure life"), was declared the most environmentally advanced and happiest place on earth in 2016. One of the advantages of visiting . The WORST Times to Visit Costa Rica Christmas is so busy you NEED to book everything well in advance! Plus, there are no crowds. Making the most of your tropical vacation means knowing the best time to visit Costa Rica. You can see sea turtles at different times throughout the year, but the most famous spot to see them is in Tortuguero National Park on the north Caribbean coast, and July-October is the best time to see them nesting here. Like Limon, Puntarenas has steady temperatures throughout the year. Japan has objectively no best time to visit as each season offers a different experience and spectacular beauty. You should also plan ahead when booking accommodation facilities and activities to get a fair deal before the prices hike. This is the peak tourism season, so prices are steep and crowds are deep. Here comes the part of our guide that many would flash by the headlines. Liz Flynn has worked as a full-time writer since 2010 after leaving a career in education. Authentic specialties like casado, gallo pinto, sopa negra, and more await your taste buds when you dive into the real Costa Rica off the beaten path. 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. All Rights Reserved. Keep in mind that the landscapes and climates of Costa Rica vary greatly by region. Therefore, different regions in the country have very different scenery and weather. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica | Climate Guide | Audley Travel In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 91 F and average low is 74 F. There are about 10 days of rain and 4 inches of rain falling during the month. The weather along the Pacific coast is anywhere from somewhat rainy to extreme downpours depending on how far south you go. January-February and July-September are the best months to see whales on the Pacific coast. If you intend to experience the rainforest in all its green glory, the green season is a great choice. The question should really be: When is the best time for ME to visit Costa Rica? 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. Best time to visit Costa Rica - Lonely Planet Costa Rica during the rainy season is still a beautiful time to visit. The best time to visit Costa Rica is from January through February and in July. Stunningly blue water and sandy shores of all different colors even a famous black sand beach draw tons of tourists here each year. So, watch out. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 93 F and average low is 73 F, with about 4 days of rain, with an inch of rain falling . Because of its location close to the equator, the climate in Costa Rica is tropical. April, Enjoy the Sunshine, the Wildlife, and the Samantha Week, May, Witness the Transition to Rainy Seasons, December, Take Advantage of the Holiday Celebrations, October, the Terrible Roads in Parks and Low Hotel Season, November, The Month with the Highest Number of Places You Should Avoid, The Best Places You Can Visit at Any Time in Costa Rica, Things to Avoid When You are in Costa Rica, The Five Finest Mangusta Yachts of All-Time, 10 Reasons Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences is the Perfect Group Getaway in Cabo, Mexico, The 20 Best Things to do in Tampere, Finland, How Ali Wong Achieved a Net Worth of $3 Million, Eight Reasons to go to French Polynesias Marquesas Islands, How Lisa Rinna Achieved a Net Worth of $10 Million, 20 Cities with The Worst Weather in Europe. 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. These numbers dont guarantee the best months to visit Costa Rica because the weather does vary some from year to year. The toughest areas are the mountains, where nighttime temperatures can fall below 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius). The best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease. Costa Rica is bubbling over with life and energy. On average, the warmest months are February, March, April and May. 5 Reasons to NEVER Travel to Costa Rica In light of this, the ideal season to visit Costa Rica truly depends on which of these three considerations is most important to you. And the only tradeoff is a little short-lived rainfall during your stay! Costa Rica is a place that almost everyone has on their list of places to visit. . In Guanacaste, the most arid region of the country, the foliage begins to turn golden. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Beautiful Weather What Is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica? Since heavy rain incidents can cause problems by making the ground slippery, be extremely cautious when driving during the green season, try to stick to daylight hours, and ensure you have adequate time to reach your destination. The worst months are May through October because of. If budget is your main concern, youll want to visit Costa Rica sometime between September and mid-December (the low season). Here's some information to help you in your decision: The best months for good weather in Tamarindo are January, February, March, April, May, July, November and December. The best advice is that you should wait until the political temperatures cool. There are some places which, if you make the right decisions on when to visit them, will give you the most extraordinary experience you will ever have. The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2022 | Travellers (2023) Travelers at this time of year will also find lively fiestas and festivals happening all around the nation, complete with bullfights, dancing, and live music. The forest has the great Sky Trek zip line, which you can take advantage of. The trade winds come in off the Caribbean Side of Costa Rica during the dry season and the strong prevailing wind pattern creates a rain shadow on the Pacific . Best time to visit Jaco Attractions in October Best time to visit Costa Rica Waterfall Tours in Jaco October Everyday : 24-hrs Best time to visit Jaco Beach in Jaco October Everyday : 24-hrs Best time to visit Atv Adventure Tours Costa Rica in Jaco October Everyday : 08:00 AM to 09:00 PM Best time to visit Discovery Horse Tours in Jaco October In this article, we shall guide you to know the best and the worst times you should visit Costa Rica. This is us in Tamarindo! The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Months, Rainy/Dry Seasons The Best time to Visit Costa Rica: A Full Guide | Selina Exact veranillo days and duration vary from year to year, and may even continue into the start of August. Early April and late November are still sunny and dry and are great for visiting. The Nicoya Peninsula and the mountainous area around Rincon de la Vieja National Park have slight rainfalls compared to other places. But if beach crowds are more the issue, then the low tourist season of June . Tamarindo has dry periods in January, February and March. Were still in dry season,and the weather remains fantastic. Due to its proximity to the equator, Costa Rica is categorized as a tropical country without a definite winter season. Its even cheaper if you visit during the low season, September through mid-December (especially November and early December). On the typically rainy southern Caribbean Coast, the rain lightens up in September and October, making it a great time to visit. Things to do | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica Tourism Official website It is the period of heavy rainfall though being a tropical country, about of the skies pouring can be expected anytime. If you buy a product we link to, we may earn a commission. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. There is a very slight dip in August in the amount of rain compared to July, with about 6 inches of rain falling during the month. Costa Rica rarely experiences the direct impact of a hurricane on the Caribbean or Pacific coasts. Top tips for travelling in Costa Rica. It allows you to swap your heavy winter clothing with admirable carnival costumes. Pacific Coast or Caribbean Coast? Temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the entire year. South Pacific | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica Tourism Official website Skip to main content 9 BEST Places to Visit in Costa Rica in 2023 - Nomadic Matt's Travel Site 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. 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. Hotels and businesses are dragging to reopen or reinvest after the business had slowed down during the rainy peaks of September and October. They are not telling you that the rainy seasons are not over in Costa Rica now. IMPORTANT NOTE: For each of these 3 regions, you will find representative averages for what you might expect. Suppose you want to travel to any isolated or rural areas. November is a transition between the rainy season and the start of the dry season. Dry Seasons February, March, April, August (2nd half), September, October These months are the driest of the year with occasional rain usually occurring at night or early in the morning. The tradeoff is that there are higher numbers of tourists, and prices on hotels are higher (and they also fill up faster). September can be a great month to travel or a washout, depending on where you are in Costa Rica. May through November is the green season. I spent the first half of this year living in Nosara, Costa . Copyright 2023 The Discovery Nut | Privacy Policy, Best time to visit Costa Rica + When to Avoid A complete guide [2023], 7 Days In Costa Rica: How To Plan Your Itinerary, 22 Best Things To Do In Costa Rica in 2023. October through early December is the least busy time of year to visit Costa Rica. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. In such a scenario, local conservative members may discriminate against you if you are from a country that supports a topic they are not comfortable with. There are three key factors to consider when deciding the best time to visit: the weather, the crowds, and the cost. 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. Decembers average rainfall of 18 inches equals the entire year of some islands such as the arid Aruba. Best and Worst Times to Visit Costa Rica (2023) February and March are the best months for the Limon cruise port while July is the worst. From scarlet macaws to slow-moving sloths, you will be astounded at the diversity of life youll find in this country. So while we cant answer this question for you, we can give you some information to help you make your decision. Considered a very peaceful country, it hasn't had an army since 1949 and is one of the safest countries in Central America. Whereas the Nation is one of the most attractive in Central America, there are times you should avoid it as much as you can. $264. This time of year is also a great time to visit the country because of what we refer to as the glorious awakening of nature. Similar to the beautiful green scenery you see when spring finally arrives after a long winter, everything appears to come to life during the green season. One thing is for sure, though, your vacation in Costa Rica will be an incredible experience youll never forget!