The worst time to visit Costa Rica. The weather in Costa Rica is pretty temperate year-round, but it is best avoided during the wet season. Costa Rica has a tropical climate. Julien is an exploration-minded, curiosity-driven traveler and blogger. Liz loves the process of researching information, learning new things, and putting into words what others who share her interests might like to read. You can choose from among leisure activities. With a booming tourism industry and tons of things for everyone to enjoy, anyone whos been to beautiful Costa Rica will tell you youve got to see it to believe it. Overall, October is the coolest month of the year. Some of the worst times to visit are also the best in terms of weather, little rainfall, and wildlife spotting opportunities! Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: When to Go & When to Avoid The best times to visit Costa Rica are late fall to early spring months when heavy rains ease. Despite its average economy, there is plenty you can enjoy. Decembers average rainfall of 18 inches equals the entire year of some islands such as the arid Aruba. 4 Best (And Worst) Ways To Travel From San Jos To Tamarindo, Costa Rica But they do give some guidelines on how to reduce the chance of running into bad weather. The chart again shows that it is wise to avoid Limon in June and July, but take advantage of September and October. There are beautiful coastlines and stunning landscapes to enjoy, along with many pretty coastal towns to visit. 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. In June, youll see a small surge in tourists as the kids get let out of school and family vacations start. Expect that if you leave valuable items in plain sight and unattended, such as on the beach or in the car, that they will be taken. The dry season runs from December through April and the rainy season goes from May through November, which coincides with the Pacific hurricane season. First things first, there are two tropical seasons in Costa Rica: dry season and green season. With less rain, there ismore uninterrupted pool time. Packing insect repellent is also vital because rainy weather increases mosquito infestations. 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. Costa Rica is still in the rainy season, and it is one of the wettest months of the year. When you visit at this time of year, youll only get glimpses of the ideal Costa Rican weather because theres so much rainfall. Travel Tips. Get your camera because here you can take one of your best photos. Corcovado National Park is one of the largest lowland tropical rainforests in Central America and the best place in Costa Rica for wildlife watching. The Best Time to Go to Costa Rica by Season and Month Best time to visit Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica | Escapade Tours Hotel availability, prices, and service are at their best. Puntarenas has a distinct dry season from December through April. Most of the rain that falls in November comes towards the beginning of the month. I tried watching the sunset the other night, and it was just horrible. Though dusty, the roads are passable, wild animals can easily be identified, and tour guides charge the least. | Safety Concerns, Where to Stay in Hawaii in 2023 | Best Islands & Hotels, The 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica in 2023, 15 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Traveling, The 15 Best Hotels in Ocean City, MD in 2023, The 15 Best Hotels in Rome in 2023 | For All Budgets, The Best Hotels in Orlando in 2023 | For All Budgets, The 15 Best Hotels in Seattle in 2023 | For All Budgets, The 15 Best Hotels in Philadelphia in 2023. What's The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica? - Visitingly What is The Worst Time To Visit Costa Rica (And When To Go Instead) All rights reserved. You shall witness unmatched street parades, bull runs, dancing, and rodeos. January and February are smack dab in the dry season, with plenty of sunny days and low rain. Temperatures are much warmer than Limon with average daily highs reaching into the 90s Fahrenheit from January through August and dipping into the high 80s for the rest of the year. As you move south along the Pacific coast, humidity levels rise. December through April is the dry season. October through December are the worst months to visit Aruba. November is a bit of a bridge month, when the rain has slowed down, and the crowds begin to trickle in. It is located in a village with rainforests which have covered the beach. It is so bad that hotels and businesses are closed on the South Pacific coast. Most Pacific Coast and the Central Mountains receive a lot of sunshine during these warmer months. Afternoons are rainy with typicallyclear mornings (perfect for morning tours). Best time to visit Central America - Responsible Travel 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. 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 . 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. Wildlife watching: hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. 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. This is partly the result of higher elevations. However, the rainy season isnt quite as severe as one might imagine, which is why the term green season has gained popularity instead of wet season because the countrys jungles, forests, and flowers use the rainfall to blossom and turn green.. However, the weather changes all year round due to the countrys two distinct seasons. You get it all when you visit at this time of year! If you want to enjoy your vacation in the ideal weather, then December and January are the best time to visit Costa Rica. Many report that November and early December are the best times to go on a budget. It is the period of heavy rainfall though being a tropical country, about of the skies pouring can be expected anytime. Costa Rica is a lot more expensive than it's neighbouring countries. In May, the rains had started to pick up in most parts of the country, roads were still passable, and hotels were still within the price ranges of April. These are home to millions of different wildlife and plant species some you cant find anywhere else. However, there are many microclimates in Costa Rica. The coasts are generally warmer, and the highlands are generally cooler. Not all is gone for those who want to compare the green and the dry weather. They attract fewer visitors from the Limon cruise port because of distance. Bolivia doesn't quite have the family appeal of Costa Rica or Cancun, say - but those thinking of traveling in Bolivia with kids shouldn't be deterred. Both Limon and Puntarenas lie far enough south that they usually avoid either Pacific or Caribbean hurricanes. Keep in mind that the landscapes and climates of Costa Rica vary greatly by region. Best Time to Visit Costa Rica 2018 - Yahoo! 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. Plan ahead for travel over Presidents Day weekend,Spring Break, and Easter. . The end of November marks the start of Costa Ricas busy season, as holidays and cold weather are a great excuse to escape. Wildlife watching: Alaska/California humpback whales; leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast inMarch; hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast, Related Article: Costa Rica Spring Break Survival Guide. Crowds are thin, so the pricing for airfare, accommodations, and rentals is much lower at this time of year. April typically marks the end of the dry season. The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest. But, unsurprisingly, that's also the cheapest time to travel. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 90 F and average low is 80 F. There are about 3 days with rain, receiving about 1 inch of rain total. For example, both La Fortuna and San Jose are in the middle of the country, but they experience somewhat different weather. Things to do | Visit Costa Rica | Costa Rica Tourism Official website This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The next best time to visit Limon is during September and October, when the average rainfall is six and eight inches a month. Its terrain includes the Mojave Desert, Central Valley farmland, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, redwood forest, and cliff-lined beaches. View our Costa Rica safaris, or talk to one of our specialists for more details on travelling to Costa Rica. 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. Nature and wildlife enthusiasts should also consider visiting during the dry season. If you intend to experience the rainforest in all its green glory, the green season is a great choice. The event brings in more than 1500 musicians who will entertain you. Natural wildlife and beauty aside, Costa Ricas bustling cities are another great reason to visit. Best Times to Visit Costa Rica | U.S. News Travel The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2023 | Travellers 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. Costa Rica has a very diverse and changeable climate. Rainfall is a possibility, especially around the beginning of November, but light rain showers, are enjoyable, especially while swimming in waterfalls. Parque Nacional Volcn Arenal is approximately 17km (10.5 miles) west of La Fortuna. Caving, zip lining, aerial tours, and jungle exploration are all great ways to get out and explore the beauty of Costa Rica. Sunsets are just horrible. The most stable weather is between December and April. Considered a very peaceful country, it hasn't had an army since 1949 and is one of the safest countries in Central America. The worst time to visit overall is late December through January. Temperatures remain fairly constant throughout the entire year. In Guanacaste, the most arid region of the country, the foliage begins to turn golden.