When To Visit
Last updated: Apr 01, 2023
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
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
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
January
- Good surf in Puerto Viejo
- Leatherback turtles nesting at Las Baulas Marine Park
- Peak birdwatching 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
- Great windsurfing on Lake Arenal
- Quetzal sightings in San Gerardo de Dota
- Humpback whale season in Ballena National Marine Park
February
- Good visibility for snorkeling & diving off Cahuita and Manzanillo
- Big waves in Puerto Viejo
- Leatherback turtles nesting in Las Baulas Marine Park
- Peak birdwatching in Palo Verde National Park
- Pacific sailfish season for Quepos and Tamarindo
- Scarlet macaws mating in Carara National Park
- Great windsurfing on Lake Arenal
- Quetzal sightings in San Gerardo de Dota
- Humpback whale season in Ballena National Marine Park
March
- Peak diving & snorkeling in Cahuita and Manzanillo
- Best surfing waves in Puerto Viejo
- Quetzal season begins in Monteverde
- Peak birdwatching in Palo Verde National Park
- Leatherback turtles nesting at Las Baulas Marine Park
- Scarlet macaws mating in Carara National Park
- 800 + orchid species in bloom at Cartago’s Lankester Garden
- Leatherback turtles nesting in Parismina and Tortuguero
- Great rainbow bass fishing on Lake Arenal
- Quetzal sightings in San Gerardo de Dota
- Humpback whale season in Ballena National Marine Park