When Is The Best Time To Travel To Costa Rica?

Endowed with tropical rainforests, beautiful coastline, diverse wildlife, and culturally vibrant, Costa Rica is one of the leading tourist attractions in Central America. However, when is the most appropriate time to travel to this tropical wonder? Well, keep on reading to discover that!

The Dry Season is from mid-November to April.

The best time to visit Costa Rica is between mid-November and April, which is the dry season in the country. These months are characterized by fairly warm days with clear skies and a rarity of rainfall, which is perfect for outdoor activities such as hiking, seeing wildlife, and going to the beach. The terrain is more or less green, and animals are more on the move to look for meals and water sources.

The climate is tropical and warm throughout the year with temperatures ranging between 27°C / 81 F on the Pacific coast and Caribbean area. The heat and humidity are a little higher at this time of the year as it precedes the beginning of the green season. It is only possible to predict good weather throughout the country during the dry season or from December to April. But do expect more people and those prices to be up a notch from the usual, especially if it is during the low season.

The major tourism season is during the Green Season, which is from May to mid-November.

The rainy season runs from May to mid of November which is referred to as the green season due to enhanced growth of vegetation due to rains. These are the months that you can expect to have more rain in the Caribbean starting in May while the Pacific has occasional showers in June. Normal showers tend to last for not more than an hour. You may sometimes see some shower activity in the afternoon or evening; however, this will also be accompanied by plenty of clear days as well.

On the positive side, there is fresh grass instead of dust, less expensive fares, and fewer tourists after the summer vacations in North America. You just have to come equipped with a raincoat or any other rain clothing, a bag that can protect the electronics, and an umbrella. Be prepared for the fact that the rain can sometimes interfere with walks and travel schedules.

Surf's up: To the surfer, May to August are the best months in the Pacific region due to offshore winds and green season swell. There are many good surf spots and the Osa Peninsula and Santa Teresa are among the best.

High season (from mid-December to early April).

North American and European tourists come during the winter months which coincide with the Christmas holidays in the two continents. December 15th through Easter week is the busiest time in the area. You will find beautiful sunny weather, New Year and Carnival holidays but be ready to find many more people around and much higher prices for hotels, tours, etc.

Book everything at least several months before the trip—or still, have a wonderful vacation during the shoulder seasons. The climate remains acceptable and there are significantly fewer crowds which is a plus.

Main Holidays & Festivals

Visitors should also consider that planning their trip to coincide with Costa Rica’s major festivals and celebrations would be wise. Here are some of the most popular: Here are some of the most popular:

• Envision Festival (late February/early March): This is a two-week event that involves music, art, and educational programs on sustainable communities. It brings more than 20 thousand people to the place on the coast surrounded by jungles in Uvita.
• Semana Santa/Easter Week (dates vary): Celebrated with fiestas, processions, dancing, and parties along with San José and other cities’ food stalls.
• Independence Day (September 15): commemorates Costa Rica's independence in 1821 with civic acts, parades, and parties, among others.
• Día de Los Muertos (November 1): ”Day of the Dead” is a rather cheerful holiday when people celebrate ancestors with colorful altars, masquerades, Non-Guanajuato street processions, and other dishes.
• Christmas (December 25)/New Year’s Eve (December 31): December is bright with the lights, Christmas trees, nativity scenes, fires, and celebrations that can last up to early January.

OtherSeasons (April today, November to mid-December)

There are two peak seasons in the year, January-March and September-October while April-May and November mid-December are relatively low seasons. It will be fine with some scattered showers, which will give you quite good weather. Temperatures do not decrease much and hover around the 80s Fahrenheit or high 20s Celsius, although they are cooler and less humid than the previous month.

During such occasions, it is usually easy to get hotels at throwaway prices. It’s simply expected that a few small restaurants or shops may be closed in certain areas that do not attract many tourists. It is also important to have loose agendas or contingency measures during uneven rainfall. But in general, there are some significant advantages to visiting Costa Rica during the shoulder season.

To sum up, the prime time to visit Costa Rica is a matter of priorities, wallet, and affinity for crowds. The maximum dry season has good sunny beach weather, but it is more expensive and busy. The green season is characterized by less rain, drawings of green vegetation, active wildlife, few tourists, relatively cheap prices, and good surfing waves. Shoulder seasons are a much better compromise. Whether it is planned for the near future or a long time ahead, Costa Rica will never cease to amaze with its nature, cultures, foods, and, of course, the Pura Vida atmosphere.

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