This is a mixed blessing as you wont burn as easily, but it can inhibit views sometimes. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 88 F and average low is 74 F. There are about 9 days of rain and 3 inches of rain falling during the month. April typically marks the end of the dry season. Dont think your trip is doomed to heavy rains all day, every day if you visit from October through early December. 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. Liberia (Guanacaste) has dry periods in January, February and March. For anyone who appreciates exploring new countries off the beaten path, this is arguably the best time of year to go for authentic experiences. But times change. First things first, there are two tropical seasons in Costa Rica: dry season and green season. No wonder July and August are highly regarded as the best time to visit Costa Rica by travel agencies and experienced travelers in the know! If you want to spend time on the beach, the dry season is likely the best time for you. All Rights Reserved. The park is over 163 square miles, covering nearly half of the Osa Peninsula, yet remains one of the most remote regions of Costa Rica. We'd also recommend traveling in the country's green season, from May to June or in November. In this post, we'll cover the best (and worst) time to visit Costa Rica based on weather, peak travel times, cost, and more. Rainy days and cloudy skies continue throughout the country. The annual rainfall in these regions ranges from 40 to 60 inches, while temperatures can reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) almost all year long. Therefore, the chance that you shall get competitive services is so low. November is a bit of a bridge month, when the rain has slowed down, and the crowds begin to trickle in. Rainfall is a possibility, especially around the beginning of November, but light rain showers, are enjoyable, especially while swimming in waterfalls. Mid-March to early May and mid-October to early December are the best months to visit Japan due to its stunning colors and mild weather. July through August the little high season is the overall best time to visit Costa Rica. The few available hotels are usually aware that in some parts, hotels have closed, so they take advantage of the situation and hike prices. While weather is the primary factor, other considerations include an increase in crowded beaches and resorts as well as higher prices. There are three key factors to consider when deciding the best time to visit: the weather, the crowds, and the cost. The humidity increases as you travel south along the Pacific coast. The forest has the great Sky Trek zip line, which you can take advantage of. This Central American country is home to wild jungles, incredible national parks, cascading waterfalls, and more. The wet season is also an ideal time to spot humpback whales in the Osa Peninsula. At this time, you also have several festive celebrations, such as the Festival de la Luz in San Jose, which is held in the second week of the month. Comparatively, if you have been to the state of West Virginia, then expect a country that is slightly smaller than it. Always Pack a Raincoat. Afternoons are rainy with typicallyclear mornings (perfect for morning tours). Its important to note when talking about the rainy season in Costa Rica that often rain will fall mostly in the afternoon, so the mornings will still be clear for your beach time or activities. On the other hand, there is frequently very little rain from December to April, and there may be no rain in some places. The Costa Rica market is flooded with hard drugs such as cocaine, and there are instances where even medicinal drugs are stuffed with them to recruit new drug customers. The rains can cause widespread flooding and mudslides making travel difficult and dangerous. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 92 F and average low is 80 F. This is the hottest month of the year. The UNESCO world heritage listed the island as among the best-inhabited places for those who love nature. Puntarenas and San Jos get rain more than 20 days a month from May through October and peak at 25-26 days in September and October. The dry season is also the high season as many snow birds make their escape to the tropics, and there is less rainfall. Puntarenas is quiet during the summer. Caribeez.com, The Limon monthly weather shows the best and worst times to visit the port. 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. The worst time to visit Costa Rica. So, watch out. Early April and late November are still sunny and dry and are great for visiting. Costa Rica rarely experiences the direct impact of a hurricane on the Caribbean or Pacific coasts. Whereas the Nation is one of the most attractive in Central America, there are times you should avoid it as much as you can. Japan has objectively no best time to visit as each season offers a different experience and spectacular beauty. 6. Otherwise, take any bus to Tilarn and . DID YOU KNOW: Its not uncommon for Costa Rica to run out of rental cars during the high season which is January. 7. In this article, we shall guide you to know the best and the worst times you should visit Costa Rica. 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. Liz Flynn has worked as a full-time writer since 2010 after leaving a career in education. April is also historically one of the hottest months of the year. Therefore, different regions in the country have very different scenery and weather. Youll need to be prepared for rain most days, and heavy rain at that. The dry season has plenty of sunshine, making it ideal for wildlife watching, beach lounging, and indulging in outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. Scarcely populated, Norrland winter's sub-zero temperatures last for several months. Source: Wikimedia (Creative Commons license), The Puntarenas monthly weather shows some important differences from Limon. Corcovado National Park is one of the largest lowland tropical rainforests in Central America and the best place in Costa Rica for wildlife watching. 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. Not a day goes by for me without planning new adventures and looking for some scenic spots. This period is during the low season, so youll deal with fewer tourists and may feel like youve got the place to yourself. Many beaches are poorly lit, which creates a prime avenue for criminal activities. Tamarindo has dry periods in January, February and March. Wildlife watching:loggerhead, green, leatherback, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. Pacific Coast or Caribbean Coast? These are home to millions of different wildlife and plant species some you cant find anywhere else. 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. 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! 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. You can travel to the Central Pacific Coat if you are still interested in the sunny weather of April, though slightly lower. 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. Weather in February continues to be sunny and dry. , 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! If you must travel during this time be sure to check local weather conditions and plan your route accordingly. Animals are still hiding in the thick bushes, and you must travel for so long before seeing them. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Home Travel Central America Costa Rica What is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica (And When To Go Instead). The transition months from dry to rainy are April and May. Rainfall reaches more than three inches in October through December, but the totals are still low compared to the rest of the Caribbean. What Species of Monkeys Are in Costa Rica and Where to See Them? However, it is important to note that there still may be a rainy day or two a month. Naturally, human beings wish to hear the good side of the story before the bad one. It is the home of 400 varieties of birds and 2500 plant species and has more than 100 mammals. There is generally a spike in tourist traffic over Easter and the week leading up to it. The hottest weather, however, can be found a little further south along the coast, particularly on the Nicoya peninsulas Southeast and Northwest edges. Flight from San Jos to Billings. You'll pay more, deal with bigger crowds, and less availability for rooms, flights, and rentals, but hey - it's peak season for a reason. On average, the warmest months are February, March, April and May. Hotel availability, prices, and service are at their best. This is the peak of green season on the Pacific Coast, but dont let the rain keep you away. Heavy rain, mostly in the afternoons, and sporadic showers are likely from May to November, with September and October having the heaviest rainfall. On a mission to witness the planet's beauty and diversity, he shares his experiences on this website through articles, videos, and photography, including interactive virtual tours. November is a transition between the rainy season and the start of the dry season. Oh, and before we forget, December gives you another opportunity to see the extraordinary decorations by the Costa Ricans. For instance, due to its proximity to the Caribbean Sea, Tortuguero experiences hot and humid weather with occasional rainfall. Flying is significantly more affordable from May to November than during the dry season since the demand is way lower. 'It's so expensive' were the words on fellow travellers lips. The best months during this dry season are November through April because of a lower risk of rain. But you should know that this period is also the height of the Costa Rican rainy season. If youre looking for incredible natural wonders and sights to see, this is the place. Due to such expectations, we shall start by looking at when you should enjoy Costa Rica to the fullest. Knowing when to go can make a difference for cruise visitors who want to explore one of the most popular and wettest ecotourism destinations in the Western Hemisphere. Most of the businesses are available online, so compare prices. Crocodiles occupy many, and some have bull sharks. 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. Total rainfall averages less than one inch from January through March, a little more than one inch in May and December and eight inches or more from May through October. Making the most of your tropical vacation means knowing the best time to visit Costa Rica. The rainiest months are September and . 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 . The rainiest months in Costa Rica are September and October. The dry season (and tourist peak season) in Costa Rica begins around the United States Thanksgiving holiday, in late November. 1. If budget is your main concern, youll want to visit Costa Rica sometime between September and mid-December (the low season). The city reaches a high point for rain in September and October thanks to the Pacific hurricane season. The country is, without a doubt, among the best Central American countries to visit. A dry season runs from December through April, and a rainy season runs from May through the end of November. The temperature in Costa Rica. The Overmarine group is a shipyard and company that has always produced the Mangusta range of Yachts. The greenery is very lush and abundant, and waterfalls are at their maximum flow. Like in the United States, the months of August, September and October present the . As you move south along the Pacific coast, humidity levels rise. The hottest month of the year is usually just about 3 degrees Celsius warmer than . The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest. One destination on most everyones must-see travel list is tropical Costa Rica. It experiences low rainfall from December through April and higher rainfall from June through November. The most stable weather is between December and April. Surfing and rafting are fantastic. But, unsurprisingly, that's also the cheapest time to travel. Temperatures begin to drop as the hotel prices and number of tourists do. April marks the last month of the dry season, although it can last a couple weeks longer in the arid northwest region of Guanacaste. The average lows, which take place mainly at night, hover around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 Celsius. This Central American nation located between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts is endowed with wild rainforests, spectacular national parks, roaring waterfalls, and other natural wonders. The end of November marks the start of Costa Ricas busy season, as holidays and cold weather are a great excuse to escape. 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. If you enjoy the snow, low crowds, and value season pricing, January and February are the best . The Nation values family as the basic social unit, with children staying with their families until they get married. Due to its relatively cheap currency against the U.S dollar, services are cheaper here. It is a democratic republic which is located in Central America. In fact, you're likely to encounter snow here until well into May and temperatures can fall to -30C, though Norrland 's summer months are typically a comfortable 15 degrees. November is the transition month from rainy to dry season. The main park entrance is on the road to El Castillo (turn off the main road 13km west of town). Here you can do diving, mountain climbing, and snorkeling, among other activities. The most interesting feature of the Costa Ricans is their happiness. There is an easy solution though. For example, both La Fortuna and San Jose are in the middle of the country, but they experience somewhat different weather. Check my guide to visiting Irazu Volcano a perfect place to visit during Costa Ricas dry season. Hotel availability is limited over these populartravel dates, and some hotels increase rates over peak travel dates. Find out the best time to visit Costa Rica with details on climate, seasons and events from Audley specialists. It is so bad that hotels and businesses are closed on the South Pacific coast. Many of the roads in Costa Rica have potholes, lack guard rails, and high speeding youths under the influence of drugs. Now for the monthly breakdown. Sometimes, political statements fly across the political scene, discouraging investment in the hotel industry. Peak season is the busiest, most popular, and, thus, the most expensive time to visit Costa Rica. 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. Source: Wikimedia, Total cruise visitors by month. They're also most crowded. , 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 . Unlike Limon, Puntarenas has much more distinct dry and rainy seasons. The temperatures in Costa Rica range between 20 - 30 C year-round. And with fewer crowds, youll feel that youve got the beach, park, or town to yourself. Julien is an exploration-minded, curiosity-driven traveler and blogger. What Is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica? Copyright 2023 Exploration Junkie. Nature is all around you, like this small frog spotted on our journey. The ideal weather means there will be large crowds, resulting in higher costs of tours, accommodation, and flights. It gives amazing green landscapes and lush. However, it is good to note that this is a problem experienced in nations with the same economic strength as Costa Rica. 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. We enter peak season for travel at the end of December around the holidays. On the Caribbean coast, the average high is 85 F, and average low is 77 F. About every other day will have rain (on average), with about 6 inches of rainfall during the month.
USD, $
WOOCS v.1.3.5