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Planning the best time to visit Costa Rica depends on your itinerary, what activities you intend to try, and which tourist spots you want to go to. The fascinating country is filled with many attractions that are sure to keep you busy for months on end.
It’s a tropical paradise that has everything you want in a vacation spot. However, a traveling woman over 50 may get disappointed if a storm suddenly interrupts her day out. If you don’t know when to book a flight, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered!
Read on to learn about the best time to visit and what to expect the entire year long.
Travel Tip! Book your accommodations early to get the best deals and discounts.
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
For instance, if you plan to visit the mountains to enjoy the view, you should avoid going there during the rainy season because the mountain areas can get foggy. However, there is good weather all year round in the central valley.
The coastal areas sustain hot, rainy, and humid climates the entire year as they deflect the winds off the ocean.
If you want to enjoy the wildlife and see tropical species, the new year is the best time to visit. During this time, forests are lush, and beaches have dry and sunny weather.
It’s the perfect time to see migrant birds from the north, humpback whales in labor, and sea turtles nesting on seashores.
The peak tourist season from mid-December to April is also ideal for visiting Costa Rica.
When is the best weather?
The best weather to visit Costa Rica is when the sun shines the brightest, and the weather is at its driest. Costa Rica shows off the sunny weather during this season, perfect for rainforest adventures and beach lounging.
Dry and sunny weather can allow you to enjoy scenic views, admire the amazing wildlife of Costa Rica, and take a dip in the clear blue waters of the beaches.
However, if it’s fine for you to get a little wet and cold, you can visit Costa Rica around May to November. You get to enjoy the best of both worlds during this time – a sunny morning with rain showers in the afternoon.
Dry Season
In Costa Rica, there are generally two tropical seasons: dry and green. Between December to April, the dry season is the time of year when tourists flock to this popular vacation destination.
The weather is perfect because there’s no rain and the temperatures are high. It’s the kind of weather most vacationers prefer. The only downsides during the dry season are higher accommodation rates and other prices; vegetations are also less appealing than during the green season.
Green Season
Green season, on the other hand, takes place between May to November. You will get to experience sunny mornings perfect for taking a jog and afternoon rain showers for a rejuvenating repose.
When you plan to visit Costa Rica during the green season, you can enjoy discounted and more affordable accommodation rates, fewer people, and more active wildlife.
What to expect month by month?
There are different activities and scenic spots to enjoy in Costa Rica the entire year-round. Let’s check out what you can expect month by month to help you decide the perfect time to visit Costa Rica.
January
The beginning of January is believed to be the peak travel season as tourists start to flock to Costa Rica to enjoy the late Christmas and New Year.
During the four to six weeks of January, the weather is sunny, and you can enjoy the tropical wildlife if you plan to visit during this time. The rainy season has just ended, so rainforests are still green and lush. Expect to see humpback whales and sea turtles on the Pacific Coast.
Suppose you love or want to try water activities. In that case, you could enjoy the rivers for rafting and waterfalls for canyoneering in January because the water will still have an abundant flow.
February
Tourists continue to flood come February, and the weather is still great! Expect abundant leaves dropping in tropical dry forests on the Pacific side in Guanacaste and Nicoya. You can still enjoy rafting in the Central Mountain rivers. Quetzales in the cloud forests will also start to nest during this month.
February is also a good time to visit the Osa Peninsula. Expect a tourist traffic spike because of the following holidays and breaks:
- Easter
- Presidents’ Day Weekend
- Spring Break
If you plan to head to Costa Rica during February, plan and book accommodations in advance because hotel availability will become limited. Some rates will also increase because it’s peak travel season.
March
Come March, and you will certainly experience a busy Costa Rica. Tourists and even Costa Ricans go on vacation during this time because it’s Spring Break and Easter.
Although southern, central, and eastern Costa Rica is still green, river rafting is no longer recommended because of the low water levels. Moreover, northwest Costa Rica is dry during March, and most trees are bare with no leaves.
April
The last month of the dry season has arrived. You can still enjoy clear blue skies, but the vegetation is no longer sparkling green, especially on the North Pacific Coast. April is considered one of the hottest months in Costa Rica.
Despite the hot weather, we still advise you to book in advance, especially when Easter falls in April. Don’t forget that there are also Spring Break travelers going on vacation during this month.
May
May signals the start of the green season. It’s the best time to cool off from the intensely hot dry season.
Because the green season is about to start, the temperature and hotel prices drop. If you want to visit Costa Rica when people are few, and the weather is not intensely hot, May is the best time for you. You can also expect sea turtles nesting along shores.
June
June is also a transition month to the green season. However, expect to see more tourists in May because school break has begun and families have vacations.
For this month, rain starts to fall, so you’ll find your surroundings turning more green, especially rainforests. If you are a fan of wildlife, you’ll find unique sea creatures along the Caribbean Coast.
July
July is the peak green season in Costa Rica, but you will still experience brief periods of sunshine. Costa Ricans call this veranillo or little summer. During July, afternoons are rainy, and mornings are sunny, ideal for your morning jog. You can also choose to pick itineraries in the morning for your tours.
However, this is not the best month to visit the Osa Peninsula because of the strong rainstorms. Although, many tourists prefer visiting Costa Rica in other areas with less rain and active wildlife.
August
August may not be the best time to schedule your Costa Rica adventure because rain showers will start to frequent almost every day. There is still a chance that you’d get to catch a veranillo, but the chances of storms approaching are higher, especially nearing the end of the month.
September
September is the best time to visit the Caribbean side of Costa Rica because it has the driest weather. For the rest of the country, including the Pacific side, rains will start to pick up. Heavy storms will also start to become common.
If you plan to visit Costa Rica during September, consider exploring the entire Caribbean side to enjoy the scenery. It’s also the perfect time to appreciate the jungle fauna.
October
October is considered the peak of the green season on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. You get to enjoy active wildlife and water activities such as surfing and rafting. Furthermore, you can also expect hotel rates, availability, and services at their best.
Because it’s peak green season, expect little to no crowds at all! This allows you to have the entire beach to yourself. However, remember that October is also the rainiest month.
November
Rains start to subside during November; it’s also the coolest month of the year. Still expect some precipitation, especially in the evening, but mornings will start to look sunny and clear. However, rain is still common in rainforests and the Central Valley.
The end of November signals the start of a busy season in Costa Rica, as holidays are fast approaching. Crowds will again start to trickle in, and hotel prices will also start to go up.
December
During the first few weeks of December, the sky begins to clear up to mark the official start of the dry season. This is an ideal time to go to the beach on the Pacific Coast.
If you plan to visit Costa Rica during December, you can explore Guanacaste, the country’s driest region, and enjoy the amazing foliage. Moreso, the end of December marks the peak tourist season as the holidays and New Year approach.
Hotel and other accommodation rates will start to go up. If you plan to spend the holidays in Costa Rica, we encourage you to book your hotels in advance to get the best and affordable hotel rates. You might even score some early bird specials!
Looking for tours?
Avoid the crowds & book a private tour!
Explore the Beauty of Costa Rica
Costa Rica has been a popular tourist destination for decades. It’s known for its lush tropical environment and beautiful white-sand beaches. From hiking to boating to bird watching, there are many things to experience in this beautiful country.
After reading this article, you should now know the best time to visit Costa Rica.
Surely, Costa Rica is the perfect destination for first-time traveling women over 50. What are you waiting for? Book a flight now! You won’t regret it.
And Don’t Forget!
- Bring comfortable shoes if you plan on walking around or hiking.
- Stay healthy. Pack your best activewear and stay on top of your daily workout!
- Take care of your skin with only the best skincare products.
- Need a new luggage, backpack, or travel bag? Here’s our top recommendation!
- Find the best airport parking options before your trip. Compare parking lots, rates, info and reviews on AirportParking.com.
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