Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Month by Month for First-Timers

By Lapa Trips. Last verified: October 9, 2026.

There is no single best month for every trip. The best time depends on where you are going and what you care about most: sunshine, fewer crowds or lower prices. For most first-timers on a 10-day route through La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, the answer is late December through March for the most reliable weather, or May, June and late November for fewer people and mostly sunny mornings.

Quick answers

• Driest and hottest month on the Pacific side: March.
• Rainiest months on the Pacific side: September and October.
• Caribbean side: it runs on its own calendar, and September and October are relatively dry there.
• Busiest times: mid-December through April, with Christmas, New Year and Holy Week (Semana Santa) at the peak.
• Cheapest and quietest: September and October.
• Rain pattern: during the green season it usually falls in the afternoon and early evening, so plan outdoor activities in the morning.

The two seasons

Costa Rica has a dry season and a green (rainy) season. Temperatures stay fairly steady all year, so the difference you feel is rain, not heat.

Season	Months	What it feels like
Dry season	Mid-December to April	Sunny, the busiest and most expensive period
Transition	April and November	Rain builds in April and eases in November
Green season	May to November	Sunny mornings, afternoon showers, fewer visitors, lower prices

The Costa Rica Tourism Board gives the dry season as running from mid-December to late April in one place and December to March in another, with April and November as transition months. We use ranges here for that reason. In any given year the rain can start or stop a few weeks earlier or later.

Month by month

Month	Pacific side and mountains	Caribbean side	Crowds and prices
January	Dry and sunny	Rainy period ending, relatively dry from February	High
February	Dry and sunny	Relatively dry	High
March	Driest and hottest month	Relatively dry	High
April	Dry, with rain building late in the month	Rain returns	High, Easter week is the peak
May	Green season starts, afternoon showers	Second rainy period begins	Lower
June	Sunny mornings, afternoon rain	Rainy	Low
July	Short break in the rain (“veranillo”)	Rainiest part of the mid-year period	Moderate
August	Afternoon rain, relative break continues	Rainy	Moderate
September	Among the rainiest months	Relatively dry	Lowest
October	Among the rainiest months	Relatively dry	Lowest
November	Rain eases late in the month	Heavy rain begins	Low, rising
December	Dry season returns mid-month	The rainiest month	Rising to the peak

The Caribbean rain stays between 100 and 200 mm even in its driest months, so it never has a fully dry season. Its strongest rain runs from November to January, and it falls mostly at night and in the morning.

By region: where each stop on the 10-day route fits

Area	What to expect	Best months	Notes
La Fortuna and Arenal (Northern Plains)	Wet year-round, with a relative decrease in February, March and April. The rainy season runs from May until December or January.	February to April for the lowest rainfall	Go to the volcano in the morning, when the summit is more likely to be clear. Hot springs are enjoyable in any season.
Monteverde	Cooler and misty most of the year	January to April for clearer views	Pack layers and a rain jacket in any month.
Manuel Antonio (Central Pacific)	Short, moderate dry season, then a long and intense rainy season	January to March for the driest weather	Rain falls mostly in the afternoon. The park is closed every Tuesday.
San José and the Central Valley	Cooler than the coasts, with a clear rainy season	December to April for the driest weather	Good in the green season too, as most rain falls late in the day.

Is the green season worth it?

For many first-timers, yes. Mornings are usually sunny, the forests are at their greenest, and hotels, tours and flights cost less. The trade-offs are afternoon downpours, some muddy trails and slower drives. Build your day around morning activities, carry a light rain jacket, and keep your afternoons flexible. Always leave a driving day with margin, because the mountain roads are slower in the rain and have no streetlights after dark (see our guide to driving in Costa Rica).

Crowds, holidays and booking

• Christmas, New Year and Holy Week are the busiest times. Hotels, restaurants and park tours fill up, so book months ahead. In 2027 Easter Sunday falls on March 28.
• Late December also brings the Fiestas de Zapote in San José.
• September and October have the lowest prices and the fewest visitors.
• May and late November are good shoulder months.

For the 10-day route, book your first and last hotels six months ahead if you travel in the dry season. Reserve Manuel Antonio lodging and timed park entries early as well.

Wildlife seasons

• Humpback whales: whales from the north arrive in late December, and southern humpbacks arrive from July. Whale and dolphin watching at Ballena National Marine Park, on the South Pacific coast, is a green-season highlight.
• Turtle watching: Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean side offers turtle watching in the green season. Check the official nesting calendar before you plan a trip around it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Costa Rica? For the driest weather on the Pacific side, March. For the best balance of weather and crowds, late November, May or June. It depends on your route and priorities.

What is the rainiest month? September and October on the Pacific side. December is the rainiest month on the Caribbean side.

Is it a bad idea to travel in October? Not necessarily. It is the cheapest and quietest month, and the Caribbean side is relatively dry. Expect afternoon rain on the Pacific side and plan your outdoor activities for the morning.

When is the dry season in Costa Rica? Roughly mid-December through April, depending on the source and the year. The Caribbean side does not have a well-defined dry season.

Can I still go to the beach in the green season? Yes. Mornings are often sunny, and many travelers prefer the quieter beaches. Expect rain in the afternoon.

Related

• 10-day Costa Rica route: where to stay and eat
• Driving in Costa Rica: what first-timers need to know
• Costa Rica rental car insurance explained

Weather and season dates change from year to year. Check the Costa Rica Tourism Board (visitcostarica.com) and the national weather service (imn.ac.cr) before you travel. This is general travel information.