The essentials
When to go to Costa Rica, in brief
December to April: the dry season
The verano. Guaranteed sun, 27-32°C, dry trails and Pacific beaches at their best. The prime window, and the priciest (holidays, US breaks).
May to November: the green season
Rains mostly in the afternoon, lush forest, active wildlife, low prices. A fair compromise outside the September-October peak.
Turtles all year, by species
Green turtles at Tortuguero July to October, leatherbacks on the Caribbean February to June, olive ridley arribadas at Ostional in green season.
Humpback whales twice a year
Northern hemisphere December to March, southern hemisphere July to October. The South Pacific (Uvita) has the best trips.
July-August: the veranillo
A dry little summer in the heart of the green season: near-dry weather at low-season prices, plus turtles and whales. The country's best-kept secret.
Caribbean against the grain
September-October, the worst months on the Pacific, are the driest on the Caribbean (Puerto Viejo, Cahuita). A smart pivot if the west is flooded.
The verdict
The best periods
Dec - April
Dry season: sun, beaches, dry trails. The best window to combine volcanoes, forest and the Pacific. Book early around the holidays.
July - August
The veranillo, a dry little summer within the green season. Mild weather, soft prices, turtles and whales. The best value of the year.
Sept - October
Peak of the green season on the Pacific: heavy rains, occasional road closures. Pivot to the Caribbean, which enjoys its finest weather then.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
24-31°C
Dry, high season
25-32°C
Dry, wildlife at best
26-33°C
Dry, hottest
26-33°C
End of dry, greening
25-31°C
First rains
24-30°C
Green season, showers
25-31°C
Veranillo, whales
25-31°C
Veranillo, turtles
24-30°C
Rain peak (Pacific)
24-30°C
Wettest, dry Caribbean
24-30°C
Green season ending
24-31°C
Dry returns, holidays
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Pacific (Guanacaste) | Dec-Apr: 27-33°C, very dry | May-Nov: showers, peak Sept-Oct | Ideal Dec-April |
| South Pacific (Uvita) | Dec-Apr: dry, whales | Sept-Oct: very wet | Ideal Dec-April |
| Caribbean (Puerto Viejo) | Sept-Oct & Feb-Mar: drier | Nov-Jan, Jun-Jul: rains | Ideal Sept-Oct, Feb-Mar |
| Central Valley (San José) | Dec-Apr: 22-28°C, mild | May-Nov: afternoon showers | Ideal Dec-April |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Green turtle nesting (Tortuguero)
Peak green turtle nesting on the northern Caribbean coast. Guided night tours in Tortuguero National Park.
🇨🇷 Tortuguero
Whale festival (Uvita)
Southern hemisphere humpback whales cruise off Marino Ballena park. The festival celebrates their passage in Uvita.
🇨🇷 Uvita, South Pacific
Fiestas de Palmares & Zapote
Big popular festivals: Costa Rican-style bull runs (no killing), concerts, rides and stalls. In the heart of the dry season.
🇨🇷 Palmares, San José
Día de Guanacaste
Festival of the annexation of Guanacaste: marimba music, folk dances and ranching traditions, in the heart of the veranillo.
🇨🇷 Guanacaste
Our analysis
Costa Rica follows one simple rule: aim for the dry season, December to April. This is the verano, when the country plays its best tune, from the volcanoes to the Pacific beaches. The rest of the year, the green season, calls for a trade-off between soft prices and showers, and a good read of the microclimates.
The dry season, December to April
This is the prime window. Sun dominates, trails dry and the Pacific beaches are at their best: expect 27 to 32°C on the coasts, milder in the Central Valley. It is also the priciest stretch, driven by the year-end holidays and North American breaks. Book Monteverde and Manuel Antonio lodges months ahead, especially around Christmas and Easter.
The underrated green season
From May to November, the rains return, mostly in the afternoon. The forest bursts green, wildlife stirs and prices drop. The country’s secret is called the veranillo: a dry little summer in July-August, in the heart of the green season, that stacks mild weather, low rates, turtles and whales. It is arguably the best value of the year.
Reading the microclimates
September and October bring the heaviest rain on the Pacific side: occasional road closures, heavy skies. But one nuance changes everything: the Caribbean coast (Puerto Viejo, Cahuita) enjoys its finest weather then. A blunt opinion: if you can only travel in fall, shift your route east. You will trade the Pacific rain for Caribbean sun.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica? +
From December to April: the dry season (verano), 27-32°C, Pacific beaches at their best and walkable trails. It is the prime window, and the priciest around the holidays.
What is the worst time to visit Costa Rica? +
September and October are the peak of the green season on the Pacific: heavy rains, occasional road closures. Pivot to the Caribbean, which enjoys its finest weather then.
Can you travel during the green season? +
Yes, and it can be smart. From May to August, rains fall mostly in the afternoon, the forest turns green and prices drop. July-August bring the veranillo, a near-dry little summer, ideal.
When to see turtles in Costa Rica? +
By species: green turtles at Tortuguero July to October, leatherbacks on the Caribbean February to June, and olive ridley arribadas at Ostional during the green season (peaking August to November).
When to watch humpback whales? +
Two windows: December to March (northern hemisphere whales) and July to October (southern hemisphere). The South Pacific, around Uvita and Marino Ballena park, has the best trips.
Does the Caribbean coast share the Pacific's climate? +
No, and it is a valuable nuance. The Caribbean (Puerto Viejo, Cahuita) is often driest in September-October, when the Pacific is flooded. Keep it in mind to rebalance a late-season trip.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026