Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Weather, Crowds & Prices by Season

Costa Rica is a year-round destination packed with jungles, beaches, and abundant wildlife—but depending on when you go, your experience can vary drastically. Whether you're dreaming of sun-drenched coastlines, quiet off-season escapes, or spotting wildlife in the rainforest, timing your trip just right is key.

In this post, we’ll break down the best time to visit Costa Rica based on weather, crowds, and prices, plus what to expect each month, and how to choose the best season for your kind of adventure.

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Costa Rica’s Seasons at a Glance

Costa Rica’s climate is tropical, with two main seasons:

Dry Season (Verano): December to April

Expect sunny days and little rain—perfect for beach vacations and volcano hikes. This is also the high season, so prices and tourist numbers are at their peak.

Green Season (Invierno): May to November

You’ll get afternoon rain showers and lush, green landscapes. Fewer tourists and lower prices make this a favorite for budget travelers and nature lovers.

Bonus: Mini Dry Season (Veranillo) in July

There’s often a brief break in the rain in late July—a great sweet spot in the middle of the green season. This certainly isn’t guaranteed, but it is common.

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica For…

☀️ Great Weather

January to March are your best bet for sunshine, especially along the Pacific coast. Days are warm and dry, ideal for beach trips, hiking, and exploring national parks.

🚫 Avoiding Crowds

Want to dodge the tourist rush? Visit in May, June, September, or October. While you’ll get some rain, you'll have popular spots mostly to yourself and lower prices.

💰 Budget Travel

The shoulder season (May–early December) offers the best deals on flights and hotels. You’ll trade a bit of rain for quiet trails and great value.

🐢 Wildlife Watching

• Sea Turtles: Nesting season on the Pacific Coast generally runs from early October to March, peaking in November and December.
  
  
• Whales: December and April are the best time to see northern humpbacks and from July-November southern humpbacks can be seen. Both sightings are on the Pacific side of Costa Rica.
• Bird Migration: Bird migration in Costa Rica occurs twice a year, with the spring migration happening from late February-mid-April and the fall migration from mid-August to December. If you’re like us and hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive quetzal, your best bet is to go during the spring migration as that’s also when the quetzals are nesting.

Important Costa Rican Holidays & Events

Crowds and prices can spike during these times:

• Semana Santa (Easter Week): Expect full hotels and busy beaches so book well in advance. Speaking from experience, Easter Week is a big deal in Latin America and everything is super busy. I would definitely avoid this at all costs since even the most “secret” Costa Rica spots will be buzzing with domestic and international tourists.
  
  
• Christmas & New Year’s: Peak tourist season with the highest rates of the year. Crowds will be high with international tourists especially, but the biggest downside is the high prices. Still, if you’re looking for a warm and tropical Christmas time getaway, Costa Rica will still be cheaper than this same week in Hawaii.
  
  
• Local Festivals: Events like the Palmares Festival (January in Palmares) and Envision Festival (February in Uvita) can affect accommodation availability.

Regional Weather Differences to Know

While the general climate patterns apply country-wide, some regions have unique quirks:

• Pacific Coast (Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, Nicoya Peninsula): Dry season is December–April, with heavy rains from May–November. Keep in mind that the rainy season in this region can mean some seriously muddy roads (especially on the Nicoya Peninsula). If you’re renting a car in Costa Rica, you’ll want to be extra careful of these conditions.
  
  
• Caribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero): Less predictable—September and October are often the driest months, opposite the Pacific. In our experience, the Caribbean Coast of Central America is far more humid and less predictable as a whole, just something to keep in mind.
  
  
• Arenal & Monteverde (Inland Highlands): Cooler and rainier year-round, with misty cloud forests and occasional downpours even in the dry season. This can be a nice relief from the hot and humid weather along the coasts, but pack a rain jacket because you should expect some rain anytime of year.

So, When Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica?

It really depends on what kind of traveler you are:

• Sun-seekers & families: Stick with January-April for clear skies.
  

• Budget-conscious & slow travelers: May, June, and November are excellent.

• Wildlife lovers & adventure seekers: July-October can offer once-in-a-lifetime encounters with fewer crowds.
  
  
• Photographers & nature buffs: Green season = stunning colors, waterfalls at full power, and dramatic skies.

Our Take: When We Loved Visiting

We've traveled to Costa Rica in both the dry and green seasons, and honestly? We loved June the most. Yes, we had a few afternoon showers, but the mornings were clear, the jungle was alive with color, and we had waterfalls all to ourselves. Plus, prices were much more reasonable than during the peak season.

Final Tips

• Pack for rain no matter when you go (even in dry season, afternoon showers can happen in the highlands). Always bring water tolerant shoes and a rain jacket.
  
  
• Consider renting a 4x4 if traveling during the green season—some roads can get muddy. Still keep in mind that rental car companies will not cover river crossings! In fact, renting a car and choosing coverage in Costa Rica is extremely confusing in general. Checkout our travel guide for renting a car in Costa Rica for more information.
  
  
• Don’t let the rain scare you off. Costa Rica shines year-round—you just have to plan accordingly. View the rain as a break from the humidity and a chance to see wildlife in a new way! Generally we used the rainy hour(s) to take a break and read, nap, and relax before heading back out for more fun. 

Like this article? Checkout some of our other Costa Rica travel guides below!‍

• Top 12 Things To Do in Costa Rica for First Time Visitors
• Renting a Car in Costa Rica: What You Need to Know (Especially About Insurance & Coverage)
• Manuel Antonio National Park Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go