Costa RicaCosta Rica

When To Visit

April

  • Leatherback turtles nesting in Manzanillo

  • Hawksbill turtles nesting in Cahuita

  • Quetzal season in Monteverde

  • Great scuba diving off Playa del Coco

  • Scarlet macaw mating season in Carara National Park

  • 800 + orchid species in bloom at Cartago’s Lankester Garden

  • Peak leatherback turtle nesting in Parismina and Tortuguero

  • Excellent rainbow bass fishing and windsurfing on Lake Arenal

  • Surfing season begins in Pavones

  • Quetzal breeding season in San Gerardo de Dota

  • Humpback whale migration in Ballena National Marine Park

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May

  • Leatherback turtles nesting in Manzanillo

  • Hawksbill turtles nesting in Cahuita

  • Quetzal season in Monteverde

  • Great snorkeling & diving along the northern Pacific coast

  • Leatherback turtles nesting at Camaronal Wildlife Refuge

  • Best month for fishing rainbow bass on Lake Arenal

  • Leatherback turtles nesting in Parismina and Tortuguero

  • Quetzal breeding season in San Gerardo de Dota

  • Olive Ridley and hawksbill turtle season at Ballena National Marine Park

  • Big surf in Pavones

June

  • Mini surf season in the southern Caribbean

  • Leatherback turtles nesting in Manzanillo

  • Hawksbill turtles nesting in Cahuita

  • Great snorkeling & diving along the northern Pacific coast

  • Leatherback turtle nesting season at Camaronal Wildlife Refuge

  • Ideal surfing conditions along the Pacific coast

  • Pacuare River levels high for whitewater rafting

  • Hawksbill sea turtles nesting in Tortuguero

  • Turtles nesting in Ballena National Marine Park

  • Excellent surf in Pavones and Cabo Matapalo

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July

  • Mini surf season in the southern Caribbean

  • Leatherback turtles nesting in Manzanillo

  • Hawksbill turtles nesting in Cahuita

  • Leatherback turtles nesting at Camaronal Wildlife Refuge

  • Pacuare River levels high for whitewater rafting

  • Hawksbill, loggerhead & green sea turtles nesting in Tortuguero

  • Peak whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui River

  • Hawksbill turtles nesting at Ballena National Marine Park

  • Whale watching season in Drake Bay

  • Surf is up in Pavones and Cabo Matapalo

August

  • Ideal surfing along the Pacific coast

  • Great snorkeling & diving along the northern Pacific coast

  • Leatherback turtles nesting at Camaronal Wildlife Refuge

  • Olive Ridley turtles nesting in Santa Rosa National Park & Ostional Wildlife Refuge

  • Pacuare River levels high for whitewater rafting

  • Green sea turtles, hawksbills & loggerheads nesting in Tortuguero

  • Peak whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui River

  • Whale watching season in Drake Bay & Ballena National Marine Park

  • Big waves in Pavones and Cabo Matapalo

September

  • Great scuba diving in Cahuita & Manzanillo

  • Hawksbill turtles nesting in Cahuita

  • Peak month for nesting Olive Ridley turtles in Santa Rosa National Park & Ostional Wildlife Refuge 

  • Pacuare River levels high for whitewater rafting

  • Hawksbill, green & loggerhead sea turtles nesting in Tortuguero

  • Excellent tarpon fishing in Barra del Colorado

  • Peak whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui River

  • Hawksbill & Olive Ridley turtles nesting at Ballena National Marine Park

  • Whale watching season in Drake Bay 

October

  • Great scuba diving off Cahuita and Manzanillo

  • Leatherback turtles nesting in Las Baulas Marine Park

  • Peak month for Olive Ridley turtles in Santa Rosa National Park & Ostional Wildlife Refuge

  • Pacuare River levels high for whitewater rafting

  • Green sea turtles, hawksbills & loggerheads nesting in Tortuguero

  • Excellent tarpon fishing in Barra del Colorado

  • Ideal month to view lava flows at Arenal Volcano 

  • Peak whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui River

  • Hawksbill & Olive Ridley sea turtles nesting at Ballena National Marine Park

  • Whale watching season in Drake Bay 

November

  • Leatherback turtles nesting at Las Baulas Marine Park

  • High winds make for great windsurfing in Bahia Salinas

  • Leatherback turtle nesting at Camaronal Wildlife Refuge

  • Peak month for nesting Olive Ridley turtles in Santa Rosa National Park & Ostional Wildlife Refuge

  • Great whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui River

  • Hawksbill turtles nesting at Ballena National Marine Park

December

  • Epic surf in Puerto Viejo

  • Leatherback turtles nesting in Las Baulas Marine Park

  • Birdwatching season in Palo Verde National Park

  • Great scuba diving off Playa del Coco

  • Pacific sailfish season for Quepos and Tamarindo

  • Scarlet macaws mating in Carara National Park

  • Windsurfing season begins on Lake Arenal

  • Quetzal sightings in San Gerardo de Dota

  • Humpback whales migrating in Ballena National Marine Park

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