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Best time to visit Costa Rica: month by month
Short answer
December to April is the dry season, with sunshine on the Pacific side and the fewest rainy days (about 3–11 a month from January to March); it is also the busiest and most expensive time. May to November is the green season, with clear mornings, afternoon storms and lower prices. Temperatures change little through the year, so altitude matters more than season.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25°C | 15°C | 6 | very high |
| Feb | 26°C | 15°C | 3 | high |
| Mar | 26°C | 16°C | 11 | high |
| Apr | 26°C | 16°C | 18 | high |
| May | 26°C | 17°C | 25 | medium |
| Jun | 24°C | 16°C | 29 | medium |
| Jul | 25°C | 17°C | 25 | high |
| Aug | 25°C | 16°C | 29 | medium |
| Sep | 25°C | 16°C | 29 | low |
| Oct | 24°C | 16°C | 29 | low |
| Nov | 24°C | 16°C | 24 | medium |
| Dec | 24°C | 16°C | 9 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs around 26°C, with rainy days rising from about 11 in March to 25 in May as the green season begins; Easter week is very busy.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Green season, with highs of about 24–25°C and 25–29 rainy days a month, usually afternoon storms; July often has a short drier spell.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
The wettest months on the Pacific side (24–29 rainy days), but the driest on the Caribbean coast; the lowest prices.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
The dry season starts, with highs of 24–26°C and only 3–9 rainy days a month in January and February; peak season with Christmas crowds.
Events worth planning around
- Fiestas de Palmares — January
- Semana Santa (Easter week) — March or April, when Costa Ricans head to the beaches
- Independence Day lantern parades — 14–15 September
- Limón Carnival on the Caribbean coast — October
When to avoid
September and October are the wettest months on the Pacific side, when some roads and lodges are affected. Christmas, New Year and Easter week are the most crowded and expensive, so book well ahead.
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Common questions
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
December to April for dry, sunny weather on the Pacific side. May to November is green, cheaper and still good in the mornings.
When is the rainy season in Costa Rica?
Roughly May to November, with the heaviest rain in September and October on the Pacific side.
When is the best time to see quetzals in Monteverde?
February to May, when the wild avocado trees fruit.