When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?

The best time to visit depends on where you go. Arenal Volcano → February; Costa Rica → January, March, April, May, June, July; La Fortuna → February, January; Manuel Antonio → February, January; Monteverde → February; Monteverde Cloud Forest → February; Puerto Viejo de Talamanca → January; San Jose → February, January, March.

Which cities in Costa Rica does bestime.to cover?

We currently score 10 destinations in Costa Rica: Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, San Jose, Tamarindo, Tamarindo.

How are the Costa Rica travel scores calculated?

Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and sunny-day history.

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica packs volcanoes, rainforests, and surf towns into a compact country, so the best month depends on which coast you chase. December-April is the classic dry window; use city and regional pages for local climate scores.

Did you know?

Costa Rica generates more than 99% of its electricity from renewable sources - mostly hydroelectric, geothermal, and wind power.
Costa Rica covers just 0.03% of Earth's surface yet contains an estimated 5% of all species on the planet - the highest biodiversity density on Earth.
Costa Rica has no standing army - it abolished its military in 1948, making it one of only a handful of constitutionally demilitarised nations in the world.

Travel Tips

Best time & timing: Check monthly climate scores for Costa Rica before finalizing your trip dates for optimal outdoor comfort.
Getting around: Plan local transport and transfers in Costa Rica early, especially during peak travel months in Costa Rica.
Packing advice: Pack layerable clothing suitable for nature exploration in Costa Rica's climate conditions.

Things to do in Costa Rica

Costa Rica. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?: In Ideal Weather mode, the best months to visit Costa Rica are January, March, April, May, June, July. January is the single peak month with an Ideal Weather score of 6.5/10 based on temperature, rainfall, humidity, daylight and historical sunny days.
What is the weather like in Costa Rica year-round?: Costa Rica has a climate profile suited to nature and wildlife travel. Average monthly temperatures range from 17°C in February to 19°C in May, with Ideal Weather scores between 6.2 and 6.5 out of 10.
Which months should I avoid in Costa Rica?: The lowest Ideal Weather-scoring months in Costa Rica are November (6.2/10), December (6.2/10), February (6.3/10). These months typically combine less comfortable temperatures, higher rainfall or fewer sunny days.
When is the rainy season in Costa Rica?: November is the wettest month in Costa Rica, averaging about 598 mm of rainfall. January is the driest, at roughly 217 mm.
Which is the sunniest month in Costa Rica?: January sees the most sun in Costa Rica, with about 29 sunny days on average - ideal for outdoor plans.
Is Costa Rica a good destination for nature and wildlife travel?: Costa Rica is well suited to nature and wildlife travel. Its highest Ideal Weather window (January, March, April, May, June, July) aligns with the conditions travelers usually look for in this style of trip.
How is the bestime.to score for Costa Rica calculated?: Each month receives an Ideal Weather score from 0-10 using ERA5 climate normals for Costa Rica: temperature comfort, precipitation, humidity, daylight hours, and historical sunny days - weighted for nature and wildlife travel.