Best Time to Travel to Costa Rica

You can go to Costa Rica any time of the year. Temperatures are reliable all year, warm in the highlands and hot along the coastline. However, two distinctive seasons are based on typical rainfall, the wet and dry season. The dry season normally lasts from December through April, though, the Caribbean side experiences a dry season during as well only it averages from September through October.

The best time to visit is considered the dry season, December to April, with merely one or two rainy days per month in nearly all regions. This is also the busiest time of year, particularly through Christmas and Spring break. Visitors planning trips during those school holidays should try to plan six months ahead if possible.

Travelers that visit during the green season can partake in nearly all of the same activities and will normally encounter smaller crowds during this time. Since temperatures are warm and rain frequently comes in short, heavy showers, many travelers enjoy the green season also.

The coastal regions encounter rainfall all year round, more than ever on the Caribbean side, so seasonality is not as much of an issue in this area. In fact, travelers fascinated in seeing the sea turtles may want to tour during the wetter times. The sea turtle season starts in mid-March and typically continues through mid-August, with the majority of the young hatchlings appearing June through August.

Follow the links below to get the best time to travel in selected cities within the country.

HOLIDAYS

January - New Year's Day

April - Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas (not banks)

March - Good Friday - Easter Sunday

May - Labour Day

July - Anniversary of the Annexation of Guanacaste Province

August - Virgen de Los Angele's Day

August - Assumption/Mothers' Day

September - Independence Day

October - Columbus Day/Dia de la Raza

December - Christmas Day

Weekend Saturday, Sunday

You should know:

Holidays occurring on a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) are not moved