For most of costa rica, t he dry season lasts from midnovember through may. Here are 5 reasons why the rainy season is an absolute must in costa rica, so book your ticket and come on down. 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. Because costa ricas rainy season starts soft, early may is often indistinguishable from the dr y seaso n. This veranillo or little summer as it is called in costa rica, typically takes place sometime between mid to late july and the beginning of august.
The wettest months are september and october when the country as whole receives and average of 355 and 330 millimeters of rain respectively. However, i find that the weather has changed over the last years. The dry season, considered summer by costa ricans, is from midnovember to april. We asked around as to when the rains hit, and got different answers everytime. The best time to visit costa rica depends on where you want to go. Climate and average monthly weather in limon, costa rica. It is more dry and the month with heavy rain are less. With so many varying weather systems and microclimates mixed into the makeup of costa rica, use the chart or the infographic below to help guide you when navigating the weather for your trip. Home costa rica things to do greatest wildlife spectacles on land costa ricas greatest wildlife spectacles on land at night, turtles will gather near the coast in preparation for their departure from the water to come ashore in an extraordinary effort to lay their eggs and thus ensure the next generation. As mentioned before, costa rica climate varies by region. Rainy season costa rica vacation in montezuma youtube. Tortuguero is next the caribbean sea, and the weather there is wet and humid, and rainy most of the year. Weather visit costa rica costa rica tourism official. This ecoactivity is at its peak during the green season months.
Arenal is now in high dry season, although as one of the rainier areas of costa rica, you may still get caught in the occasional shower. The rainy or green season in costa rica goes from aprilmay through novemberdecember while the dry or high season goes from december through april. Then, from may to midnovember, guanacaste experiences a wet season and rains can last from a few hours to a few days, albeit most of the time even during the rainy season the mornings tend to be clear or partly cloudy, with rains in the. From midnovember to april the climate is typically dry with some exceptions, and the heat is fairly consistent. On land visit costa rica costa rica tourism official. Dec 03, 2016 if you are thinking of going on a costa rica vacation but are worries about the rain then please stop worrying because it is not that bad at all. In costa rica, sea turtles nesting rituals are fantastic natural events that can be seen throughout the year on both the pacific and the caribbean coasts. This will help keep all your electronics and personal items from getting ruined especially if you are caught in a rainstorm. The climate of guanacaste is highly seasonal from midnovember to april the climate is typically dry with some exceptions, and the heat is fairly consistent. The best visibility, the warmest temperatures, the most marine life, the smallest crowds and the list could go on.
Then, from may to midnovember, guanacaste experiences a wet season and rains can last from a few hours to a few days, albeit most of the time even during the rainy season the mornings tend to be clear or partly cloudy, with rains in. Since this season coincides with winter for much of the united states and north america, it makes costa rica a favorite destination for those seeking an escape from chilly temperatures. The dry months are certainly popular with tourists, but the rainy season can be a great time to gothink beaches all to yourself, cooler temps, brilliant vegetation, and lower prices. The helpful guide to packing for rainy season in costa rica. May to november is affectionately called the green season by tourism experts and is the time of year when all vegetation starts to grow again and the country blooms into life and becomes incredibly lush although temperatures rarely drop below the mid60s around. During costa ricas rainy season, the northeast trade winds diminish and moist air arrives from the pacific, bringing rain to much of the country.
The best time to visit costa rica, either for a beach holiday or for exploring the rich nature of the country, runs from january to midapril, and in particular the months of february and march. Reasons to visit costa rica during the rainy season. When is the best time to visit costa rica for vacation. Mar 28, 2020 july is smackdab, right in the middle of costa ricas rainy season. So, if we are ever going to make it to costa rica, my husband has to find a new line of work, or we have to go during the rainy season.
Climate differs regionally in costa rica because of its extremely varied topography, so in some places, the seasons are slightly different. But may signals the beginning of the rainy season, and its then that the rivers risemaking it the best time for aquatic adventurers of every skill level to hit the countrys rivers in search of whitewater. This is the mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, snow, hail etc. The caribbean coast of costa rica, much like other portions of the country, has its own microclimate. Jan 02, 2018 by june, costa rica is well into the rainy season.
It usually rains from may to december, months that belong to the low season. May 01, 2020 packing for rainy season in costa rica. The month with the highest number of rainy days is july 22. These months are marked by an intensification of the trade winds. My husband and i enjoy surfing and exploring different cultures and like a laid back atmosphere. Costa rica s two seasons are the dry summer verano january through april and rainy winter invierno may through december pacific side. July is smackdab, right in the middle of costa rica s rainy sea son.
What to know about visiting costa rica in the rainy season. It is also the best time to dive in limon for beginner divers who prefer easy, colorful diving. This is a good time to visit northwest costa rica tamarindo, nosara, santa teresa, the central pacific manuel antonio, uvita, and the. The pacific region begins in the northwest and ends in the southeast, meaning that the dividing line changes from north to south. While the rainy season attracts fewer tourists, its unarguably the time of year when costa rica is at its most beautiful. To really get a sense of the seasonality of rainfall, check out this chart we made with data from costa rica s national meteorological institute. Even in the rainy season, days often start sunny, with rain falling in the afternoon and evening. However, during july, costa rica experiences a short midyear, m inidry s eason. Average weather in limon, costa rica, year round weather spark. This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it an ideal time for exploring rainforests and lounging. Because costa ricas rainy season starts soft, early may is often indistinguishable from the dry season.
Okay wiremu, as you know, there are many areas of costa rica, that are actually very brown, and dry, in dry season especially the guanacastenicoya areas, where the trees and shrubs lose their leavesfoliage, and it can be as brown as august in new mexico. There is still plenty of sunshine to go around during the rainy season. Maximize your travels with these tips on where and when to go during costa rica s green season. My boyfriend and i greatly enjoyed the puerto viejo area, and would like to return for another visit in the future. Costa rica is located between pacific ocean and the caribbean sea.
Costa rica weather in october a great time to visit. The most rain falls during the 31 days centered around june 30, with an average total accumulation of 7. The dry season is rather intense in the province, with no rainfall for several months. In guanacaste, the arid northwestern province, the dry season lasts several weeks longer than in other places.
I feel i must be plain honest especially about the challenges that come along with living in a tropical country like costa rica during rainy season. Here are some average weather facts we collected from our historical climate data. When planning your cost a r ica vacation, consider the pros and cons of visiting during the countr ys dry ver sus r ainy season also known as th e gree n season. Although its the rainy season on the pacific coast, its sunny and dry on the gorgeous. Because costa rica s rainy season starts soft, early may is often indistinguishable from the dry season. Both seasons have great things to offer to visitors, depending on what you want to do and where you want to go. Considered by many to be one of the most spectacular regions in the country, the northern lowlands and arenal volcano area are costa ricas hottest tourist destinations. What is the best time of year to go to limon i n costa r ica. When planning your costa rica vacation, consider the pros and cons of visiting during the countrys dry versus rainy season also known as the green season. Weather visit costa rica costa rica tourism official website.
Costa rica s rainy season is traditionally from may into december but precisely how wet it is depends on when and where. This veranillo or little summer as it is called in cost a rica, typically takes place sometime between mid to late july and the beginning of august. May 15, 2019 the costa rica rainy season is a common concern for travelers, but dont let the rain keep you away. The dry season in puerto limon runs from december to april and the rainy weather begins in may, continuing until november.
As costa rica has over 20 microclimates, temperatures and abundance of rain varies throughout the country. Why you should visit costa rica in the rainy season two. This is often confusing to visitors from other countries, where summer and winter months are reversed. Turtle nesting is mainly a nighttime spectacle, although there are always some individuals that are late returning. Jaco beach costa rica weather rainy and dry season.
The dry season lasts from december to april, and the rainy season lasts from may to november dry season is called verano summer and rainy season is called invierno winter. Elevation plays a role in the climate of various areas as well. Best time of year to dive in costa rica rainy season. Our jobs do not allow us to take vacation from december to april. Most of the pelagic species found during the rainy season leave this part of costa rica and are replaced by a variety of fish and macro species. There is a relative decrease in the amount of rain during the months of july and august, which are termed veranillo, or little summer. Costa ricans call this wet time of year their winter. Best time to visit costa rica climate chart and table.
Access hourly, 10 day and 15 day forecasts along with up to the minute reports and videos from. Costa rica is a tropical country and has distinct wet and dry seasons. Limon weather forecast, limon, costa rica 10 day weather. Both, puerto viejo satellite as well as costa rica guide, give you a good idea on how the weather should be each month. But than again, it is nature and it has its on will. In the depths of the rainy season september and october the rain shadow effect is reversed. The rainy or green season from may to november is actually a preferred travel time for many seasoned costa rica travelers. First, lets talk about when is the costa rican rainy season. The dry season in the guanacaste province, for example, is different than the dry season on the caribbean coast. January, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, october, november and december. In general, both the dry season and the rainy season in costa rica have their special attractions. Temperatures vary primarily with elevations, not with seasons.
The rainfall map shows inches of accumulation for each month of the year in a dozen regions. The rainiest months in costa rica are september november. The pacific region is characterized by a welldefined dry and rainy season. A plethora of sensational national parks, beaches and volcanoes, combined with an enormous variety of wildlife are building its welldeserved reputation. Another thing to take into consideration is that there are. In addition to your standard costa rica packing list, here are some very important items to add to your rainy season packing list for costa rica. Rainy season in costa rica the latin america travel company. The countrys dry season, from late november through april, is the most popular and expensive time to visit. Average monthly rainfall and snow in limon, costa rica. Costa rica s climate is overall tropical, with two seasons, dry and wet often very wet.
Prior to december 2010 the arenal volcano was one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world and it was a truly majestic sight, as it spewed molten rocks and ash from its. Luckily my costa rica is an expert on costa rica tourism and can help you decide the best time to travel to costa rica. The month with the lowest number of rainy days is september 14 days. Costa rica during the rainy season tamarindo costa rica. May to november is affectionately called the green season by tourism experts and is the time of year when all vegetation starts to grow again and the country blooms into life and becomes incredibly lush. Although costa rica is a small country, there is a lot going on here in terms of. By late may and june light afternoon showers are common, but mornings are generally sunny.
Seasoned surfers know the rainy season means stellar waves, especially along costa rica s south pacific coast. It rains quite often and there is no true rainy season. What is the best time of year to go to limon in costa rica. January, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september. Average monthly snow and rainfall in limon in millimeter. Rainy season in costa rica costa rica, the stunning central american country developing a worldclass reputation as a mustsee tourist hotspot. As for the real extension of the low season, we find that it extends until june and september, as august is a month when vacationers massively travel to cr. Apr 01, 2012 tips for the rain season in costa rica.
Packing for costa rica in rainy season should consist of the items you would bring during dry season plus a set of longer pants and tops due to the cooler weather. The rainfall map shows inches of accumulation for each. The rainy season is from may to november and the dry season from december to april. Costa rica weather is defined by two seasons and they are called the dry, or peak season, and the green season, or wet season. Hang ten in dominical and cabo matapalo, or travel to pavones on the golfo dulce and teste your mettle one of the worlds longest left point breaks. On land visit costa rica costa rica tourism official website. Tortuguero is next the caribbean sea, and the weather there is wet and humid, and rain y most of the year. To really get a sense of the seasonality of rainfall, check out this chart we made with data from costa ricas national meteorological institute. On the caribbean coast, especially south of limon, you can count. However, during july, costa rica experiences a short midyear, minidry season. Best of puerto limon, costa rica tourism tripadvisor. During the rainy season, mornings are usually dry and sunny, with rain falling in the late afternoon and evening. This is a good time to visit northw est costa rica tamarindo, nosara, santa teresa, the central pacific manuel antonio, uvita, and the. Mar 22, 2019 costa ricas weather can turn quickly photo.
Usually, mornings are clear and sunny, which makes them perfect for any activity you have planned. The best time to visit costa rica is from middecember to april the dry season. The rainiest month are september and october, mainly due. May and june are also wet months, but there is a slight decrease in july when levels drop down to an average of 181. Considered by many to be one of the most spectacular regions in the country, the northern lowlands and arenal volcano area are costa rica s hottest tourist destinations. Costa ricas climate is overall tropical, with two seasons, dry and wet. For most of costa rica, the dry season lasts from midnovember through may. Facts about weather in costa rica planning your vacation. The rainy season goes from may to october, with november being a month of transition. Climate in costa rica in general, a typical tropical climate prevails in costa rica, with the high mountain ranges and many volcanoes creating a climate divide that leads to regional differences. Costa ricas two seasons are the dry summer verano january through april and r ainy winter invierno may through december. During the months of december to april, the dry season, much of the country experiences little if any rain. If you want to avoid the tourist fuss and get more economic rates for lodging, the early months of the rainy season are a great time to travel to costa rica. Rainy season in costa rica is generally beginning of may to end of november.
Visit costa ricas caribbean coast in october and youll enjoy beautiful. During these months, divers will benefit from calmer seas and visibility reaching 70 feet 20 meters. Tips for visiting costa rica during the rainy season box when exactly is the rainy season. During the rainy season may to november as we that live in costa rica know well, it doesnt rain everywhere, or now due to climate change every day, but when it does, it does. There are two primary seasons in costa rica, the rainy season and the dry season. Jul 06, 20 the oceans of costa rica are home to some pretty unique geographical conditions that can change the diving conditions from day to day, but overall these are consistantly the best months. While the caribbean coast is raining all year round due to damp winds, a clear rainy season.