Join 19k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! . When you visit at this time of year, youll only get glimpses of the ideal Costa Rican weather because theres so much rainfall. Bolivia doesn't quite have the family appeal of Costa Rica or Cancun, say - but those thinking of traveling in Bolivia with kids shouldn't be deterred. This coincides with cheaper rates and prices, so think of it as a bonus! It's easiest to reach the park by car or on a tour. According to Audley Travel, December is probably the best time for those who love outdoor activities. The end of November marks the start of Costa Ricas busy season, as holidays and cold weather are a great excuse to escape. Some of the worst times to visit are also the best in terms of weather, little rainfall, and wildlife spotting opportunities! Here comes the part of our guide that many would flash by the headlines. But for cruise visitors, the best and worst times also depend on whether they are visiting the Puntarenas cruise port on the Pacific coast or the Limon cruise port on the Caribbean coast. The greenery is very lush and abundant, and waterfalls are at their maximum flow. April typically marks the end of the dry season. The humidity increases as you travel south along the Pacific coast. If you are visiting the country, take note of the times we have given you and avoid the places we have warned you. Otherwise, take any bus to Tilarn and . Top-notch wildlife and bird watching, hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating are all great reasons to visit. Total rainfall averages less than one inch from January through March, a little more than one inch in May and December and eight inches or more from May through October. James Kaiser has guided visitors on when they should visit different places. When to go to Sweden in spring Visiting Sweden in March - May However, the weather changes all year round due to the countrys two distinct seasons. You have an added advantage if you speak English and Spanish because those are the official and dominant languages. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The best time to visit Costa Rica overall is July through August you get the best, most balanced experience during this time, called the little high season.. Unlike Limon, Puntarenas has much more distinct dry and rainy seasons. It still erupts from time to time, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to see lava flowing down the volcano. The few available hotels are usually aware that in some parts, hotels have closed, so they take advantage of the situation and hike prices. Although Costa Rica is frequently considered a warm country, there are a few locations where it could become a bit cold or freezing by Costa Rican standards. The average highs stay in the mid 80s Fahrenheit or upper 20s Celsius. For the daring and the experienced, the biggest waves can be found during the rainier months of September and October. October through December are the worst months to visit Aruba. Click here to learn how to make the most out of your trip. Packing insect repellent is also vital because rainy weather increases mosquito infestations. San Jos and the interior has one big difference with the cruise ports on either coast of the country. Temperatures are much warmer than Limon with average daily highs reaching into the 90s Fahrenheit from January through August and dipping into the high 80s for the rest of the year. In Central Costa Rica, the average high is 93 F and average low is 73 F, with about 4 days of rain, with an inch of rain falling . Rainy season in Costa Rica is generally beginning of May to end of November. Many report that November and early December are the best times to go on a budget. It is also essential to note that the coldest months in the country are typically from September through November, though this varies from region to region. Avoid Puntarenas and San Jos during the summer and fall, but plan to visit during the winter and early spring. Costa Rica is a place that almost everyone has on their list of places to visit. Those same two months are the worst months of the year for visiting the rest of the Caribbean because of the annual hurricane season. The cheaper pricing is just a bonus! Hotel availability, prices, and service are at their best. These same two months are among the most popular months for western Caribbean cruises because other destinationssuch as Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Roatanalso have lighter rain during the same time. In the tropical dry forests, the beginning of the dry season will still have plenty of green scenery to display. So, watch out. Plus, there are no crowds. This period is during the low season, so youll deal with fewer tourists and may feel like youve got the place to yourself. Pacific Coast or Caribbean Coast? The best time to visit Costa Rica depends a lot on what you want to do. As Costa Rica has over 20 micro-climates, day and night time temperatures and the . This is a mixed blessing as you wont burn as easily, but it can inhibit views sometimes. Also, when it isnt rainy, it will still usually be cloudy. Japan has objectively no best time to visit as each season offers a different experience and spectacular beauty. Arenal. The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest. Comparatively, if you have been to the state of West Virginia, then expect a country that is slightly smaller than it. During February and March, tourism also booms around Easter and the start of Spring Break. Costa Ricas warm, tropical climate is one reason tourists flock to the country during the peak season. Then worry no more because Costa Rica has everything it takes to make a good tourist destination. At the same time, the central valley of San Jos experiences cool breezes and average temperatures of about 72 Fahrenheit (22 Celsius). The mountain areas are constantly receiving rains and unpredictable weather changes this month, and you are highly discouraged from having outdoor camping this month. Another reason the wet season is not ideal is that some of the vital attractions sites in the country, such as national parks and beaches, may be closed or their operating hours shortened due to the wet weather; hence it limits the activities and time one gets to enjoy. While theres really not a bad time to go to Costa Rica, the worst time to plan your first visit is during late December through January. It experiences low rainfall from December through April and higher rainfall from June through November. The Nicoya Peninsula and the mountainous area around Rincon de la Vieja National Park have slight rainfalls compared to other places. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 91 F and average low is 80 F. There are 2 days with rain, receiving less than 1 inch of rain total. Rainy days and cloudy skies continue throughout the country. Limon temperatures are not a factor because they remain steady. At the end of the month, the big crowds which had turned up to celebrate the Easter holiday start to go low, and the hotels charge the cheapest. On the Pacific Coast, the average high is 89 F and average low is 79 F. There are 15 days with rain, receiving about 6.5 inches of rain total. This tropical Central American country is nestled between Nicaragua (to the north) and Panama (to the south). I feel compelled to state that I am not a weather girl, nor can I predict the future. May through November is the green season. . Costa Rica September. The best time to visit Costa Rica is between the months of December and April. Surfing season on the Caribbean Coast is December to March. One of the best ways of, Read More A Travelers Guide to Hiking in Cape CodContinue. Plus earthquakes are almost a daily occurrence and floods are common in the rainy . Unless you have been fully guided, avoid the rivers of Costa Rica. Youve got the highly-developed Pacific coast on the western side and the more-affordable, culturally-driven Caribbean coast on the eastern side. Caribeez.com, The Limon monthly weather shows the best and worst times to visit the port. We are also a member of several other affiliate networks. Youll learn the best time to visit Costa Rica and the worst time to plan your visit in this quick travel guide. Undoubtedly, the best weather is in January and February, when Costa Rica is still early in the dry season, and the skies are clear and rain is very low. The worst time to visit Costa Rica is during the rainy season which runs from May to November. Your opportunities for spotting wildlife are best in green season. It is so bad that hotels and businesses are closed on the South Pacific coast. Shoulder season in Costa Rica is April and November, when the weather shifts between being sunny and fairly dry to being overcast and rainy as the month goes on in April, and then turns from rainy to dry and sunny by the end of November. You can expect to see drier weather as you head north, and wetter weather as you head south. The beginning months of dry season are particularly appealing as the landscape is still verdant from the recent green season,despite reducedrainfall. This is a good time to travel - as long as you have packed well. If you want to experience the lush vegetation and smaller crowds, rainy season might be your best bet. If this is the only time you can visit, be sure to plan at least a year in advance since hotels fill up fast. He picks out April as one of the best months you should visit Costa Rica. The two seasons are so different that knowing when to go to Puntarenas is an easy choiceany month from December through April. November is the transition month from rainy to dry season. As the heavy rainfall begins to wrap up in mid-December, its also one of the best times of year to spot wildlife on land and in the ocean. Talk with a Costa Rica Expert about the best destinations to visit during this time of year. Our advice is to book your holiday vacations well in advance to reserve the best hotel rooms and take advantage of any early bird specials. Good deal one-way. Located along the Pacific Coast, the park has light sand beaches, ancient rainforests, coral reefs, and clear water. Weather in February continues to be sunny and dry. In December, the temperatures range from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. However, the rainy season isnt quite as severe as one might imagine, which is why the term green season has gained popularity instead of wet season because the countrys jungles, forests, and flowers use the rainfall to blossom and turn green..