The Climate: An Overview

Costa Rica's location between eight and eleven degrees north of the equator might suggest that the weather is the same year round. Not so. The country's mountainous landscape provides a cooler climate in regions of higher elevation. The average temperature throughout the year in Costa Rica is between 71°F and 81°F (22°C and 27°C). Elevation and orientation of the land also affect precipitation, with rainy, misty microclimates sitting adjacent to much drier regions.

Costa Rica is marked by two distinct seasons:

The rainy season drizzles along from May through late November, bringing sunny mornings splashed by bouts of warm afternoon rain. The rainy season, also known as the "green season", is punctuated by a little summer (el veranillo), a brief dry spell that occurs in July and August. In September and October, look for dramatic downpours that drench the hillsides and fill the rivers.  If you plan to drive backcountry roads during these months, bring your 4x4 and a sandwich. And always ask about road conditions before setting out. Some routes are impassable in the rainy season without 4WD and a few river crossings.

The dry season begins in December and continues through April. Dry, warm and sunny days are unspoiled by rain, but are tempered in January and February by cool winds. The warmest months are March and April, coinciding with the end of the dry season.  The coolest temperatures are found from November through January, and are mostly due to the mild northeasterly trade winds, known as “alisios”, which flow through the mountains. As a general rule, the dry season brings greater temperature variations between the days and nights, with fluctuations as much as 14°F to 18°F (8°C to 10°C).  

Trip Planning Alert:

If you choose to visit Costa Rica during the high season (December - April), schedule everything well in advance. It is also helpful, if not required, to make a deposit by credit card to secure many hotel reservations. Bring along a faxed confirmation of your reservations to avoid potential confusion.

Bargain-conscious travelers may prefer to visit Costa Rica in the rainy season, when hotel rates are cheaper and discounts are available on practically everything. Fewer tourist crowds, lush landscapes and inexpensive lodging make August - October wonderful months to travel in Costa Rica. The country experiences a mini-high season in June and July, with the influx of many European and North American tourists. 

For more information, please see:

Weather Summaries by Region