The term peak season is often used to describe the two weeks from just. Coffee production has played a key role in costa ricas history and continues to be important to the countrys economy. Costa rica weather what is it like and when to visit. The last month of the year is one of my favorite months to tour around costa rica. Dec 09, 2018 in july there is also usually a twoweek break from the rain. Costa rica is a tropical country and has distinct wet and dry seasons. Nov 12, 2014 costa rica has a few different travel seasons. The rainy or green season in costa rica goes from aprilmay through novemberdecember while the dry or high season goes from december through april. Visitors are often confused with the terms low season and high season or winter and summer, which are the same difference. The descriptions dry and rainy apply most accurately to the beach destinations.
Due to varying elevations and environments, there are multiple microclimates around the country. If you are spending your holidays in costa rica, book asap. Generally speaking, the caribbean coast is much wetter than the rest of the country, even during this. Costa rica weather in september a great time to visit. The costa rica high season runs depending where you are in the country normally from november through until april. However, this is also the high tourism season, so plan on paying more for your hotel roo. In tamarindo, december is a time of bright sun, few clouds, and fewer and fewer afternoon rain showers. The best time to travel to costa rica is from late november through april. The peak travel season when most people visit coincides with the dry season, and conveniently, north americas and europes winters. It is harder to get reservations, everything is relatively crowded and the prices are higher. Trucks and cars are forced to share the same, often twolane road. Best times to visit costa rica offseason vacation in. Each season will affect the availability and price of lodging, types of activities available, festivals, and other events.
In general, both the dry season and the rainy season in costa rica have their special attractions. Temperature variations are low because the country is located near the equator, so the main difference between the seasons is found in the rains. Although technically september marks the depths of costa ricas sevenmonth rainy season, most of that rain falls in the mountains and along the pacific coast. Jan 02, 2018 for most of costa rica, including tamarindo, december marks the official beginning of the dry season, also known as the high season for tourism or summer verano to costa ricans. Apr 25, 2011 water safety in costa rica pass it on yes, we know costa rica is a beautiful country and the beaches are very inviting, but before you jump in, think. First things first, there are two tropical seasons in costa rica.
If youre looking for sunny beach time or rainfree hikes, this is the best time of the year to visit. Relatively more rains but really only a few hours per day in low season results in lower hotel rates, and less travelers. The caribbean coast, meanwhile, enjoys beautiful sunny days. Dec 14, 2016 another perk is that green season is costa ricas low season for tourism. In december, the people of costa rica do travel, but a lot of that travel is domestic. Were in a moment when were losing the high season, acon said. The locals talk about this like it happens every year, but i only remember this happening the first summer we were in costa rica. Mar 17, 2020 in 2019, march was the secondbusiest month for international tourism with more than 335,000 arrivals. Costa rica has a tropical climate with two seasons. Sep 25, 2019 while the high season is the most popular travel time, the green season is often a favorite among costa rica experts. This is a great time to visit for those who want to see the green side of costa rica and spend a little less money. The climate in costa rica is hot all year round in the plains and along the coasts, while its milder in the plateau, that is, in the socalled tierras templadas.
Best time to visit costa rica two weeks in costa rica. Prices are lower for hotels and activities because it is officially the costa rica green season. In fact, some, like the mosquito, are dreaded because of their ability to pass on diseases like zika, dengue, and chikungunya to humans. With its pacific and caribbean coasts, warm waters, and both northern and southern hemisphere swells, costa rica is a surfers paradise. Our latest print edition is now being distributed nationwide pick up a copy to read our favorite costa rica destinations. Best times to visit costa rica offseason vacation in costa. While the high season is the most popular travel time, the green.
If you are looking for great weather, you are almost guaranteed sunny skies and rainfree days. Jaco beach costa rica weather rainy and dry season. The temperatures in san jose are cooler and people pull out their sweaters. For most of costa rica, the dry season lasts from midnovember through may. The high season in costa rica runs from early december through april.
If you want some unadulterated time on a tropical beach and a little less rain. Offseason in costa rica runs from may to middecember a period officially known as the green season when costa rica gets lots of precipitation and fewer tourists. The average annual temperature in costa rica is between 70 and 81 fahrenheit 12 and 27 celsius. Most tourists from outside of the country come to costa rica during this period because to escape their winters. In 2006, coffee was costa ricas number three export, after being the number one cash crop export for several decades.
The best time to visit costa rica is from middecember to april the dry season. No significant shoulder seasons fall within january, february, july, and. Costa rica is the best example that in a small piece of land great wonders can be hidden, so it is not surprising that our lands are a soughtafter tourist destination. September weather is terrific on costa ricas caribbean coast. When is the lower season to travel there in terms of price. Mar 26, 2018 costa rica is a very businessfriendly country and the opportunities here are still endless. In fact, up in guanacaste at the moment they are on the cusp of the tourist season. During the months of february to april, you will find the. It might not rain all day every day, but there is a good chance of consistent rainfall for three to four days at a time.
If you just want to soak up the sun, january april is the best time to visit costa rica. Locals refer to this season as verano summer, and although it can rain at any point of. The low season is kicking in, there are no crowds, prices are down and although the rains start in may its usually nothing like the downpours in september and october. Green season rates for flights, accommodations, car rentals, and activities are cheaper than during the high season. Costa rica is located between pacific ocean and the caribbean sea. As costa rica continually becomes more popular though, so does this season. Put simply, we slammed the brakes on tourist activity. Costa ricas high season for tourism runs from late november to late april, which coincides almost perfectly with the chill of winter in the united states, canada, and europe. Low season in terms of cost costa rica forum tripadvisor.
If that sounds like gobbledygook, well, the offseason is in and the high season is out. The high season is the equivalent of summer in costa rica. The latter part of may is the beginning of the rainy season in costa rica. If you are not sure where to stay in costa rica when surfing at the beach, the answer is that it depends on the type of surfer you are. The rainy season in costa rica usually lasts from may to early december, with the heaviest rains falling in september and october. If youre a shoulderseason devotee, this is one calendar you dont want to miss. This is an awesome time for jaco, costa rica vacation homeowners and expats to spend several months enjoying the peace and beauty of rainy season. The caribbean east half of the country doesnt show strong seasonal variation. Although coffee production in costa rica is a major source of revenue, it is not without its environmental problems.
The tico times 2020 high season print edition is here. The main effect on the environment is the pollution of rivers during the separation and depulping process at the beneficio processing plants or mills. Best places to stay in costa rica travel experts help you plan. Best time to visit costa rica climate chart and table. Costa rica high season right around the corner costa rica. Key things to know about visiting costa rica during dry season. Where do costa ricans vacation in high season in costa rica. The green season typically experiences sunny mornings great for morning excursions and afternoon rain showers perfect for a rejuvenating afternoon repose. May 21, 2019 although costa rica has some amazing wildlife, not all creatures in its rainforests are postcard worthy. Mar 28, 2020 there are three primary travel seasons in costa rica based on weather. The main disadvantage of traveling to costa rica while its snowing up north is that it is the tourist high season. While these illnesses are a real concern in costa rica, a little bit of knowledge goes a long way in. There is consistently about twelve hours of sunlight per day for the entire year.
More than 260,000 people visited costa rica in april 2019. Costa ricas high season for tourism runs from late november to late april, which. It still rains in certain areas and in others hardly at all such as in guanacaste. Typically, the season low, wet or winter is between may and december, while the flip high, dry and summer is between december and may. During the months of february to april, you will find the highest temperatures. Why you should visit costa rica in the rainy season two. Hotels and car rentals go super fast and it is really expensive.
This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it. Best times to visit costa rica rain, cost, events costa rica guide. Even so, vacations are still in order for the holidays, especially in december. Unlike climates in north america that enjoy four seasons, costa rican weather can be defined by two distinct seasons. This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it an ideal time for exploring rainforests and lounging.
My husband and i are looking to plan a trip to costa rica. Like any developing country, it can be hard to maintain the roads in perfect condition all the time. Costa rica has a rainy season for part of the year. The highdry season from january through march means higher prices and more crowds. In tropical costa rica, however, there are just two seasons. High season goes from beginning of december to april 30th and the months of july and august low season is from may 1st to june 30th and from september 1st. And while hoteliers and tour operators wait patiently for the influx of tourists to the country during this time, we have a moment to look around. As humidity decreases between christmas and easter in most regions of the country and in the neighbouring countries of panama and nicaragua, this is also the most popular high season for costa rica. The most popular time for costa rica vacations is the holiday peak season around christmas and new years but the best time to visit may be a couple of weeks. Summer is the dry season december april and winter is.
This is the best time to take advantage of the low season rates and also the best chance during the season to have days of full sunny skies. In the early fall, places like manuel antonio and arenal are hit with fairly steady rain. The dry season, which costa ricans call their summer, or verano, runs from about late november through april. No matter where you travel in costa rica, however, you. Experience fewer crowds, lower rates and a country that is lush and green, when you visit costa rica between may and november. It is more or less divided into two seasons, a dry season, often referred to as high season, and a rainy season, often referred to as green season. Mar 22, 2019 costa ricas weather can turn quickly photo. A dry season that runs from december through april, and a rainy season that runs from may through november. In addition to tourists, arctic storms drive ocean swells southward and the surf is bigger and more reliable in the high season. The most important piece of costa rica water safety advice you should adhere to is never surf alone.