Climate & Weather
Few countries pack as much climatic diversity into as small a space as Costa Rica. Sitting at roughly 10° north of the equator, wedged between two oceans, and bisected by two mountain ranges that push from 0 to 3,821 metres, the country has radically different weather just a few hours apart. A sun-scorched Guanacaste beach, a mist-shrouded cloud forest, and a frost-dusted Chirripó summit can all exist on the same afternoon.
Altitude Changes Everything
The single most important factor in Costa Rica's climate is elevation. As a general rule, temperatures drop approximately 6°C for every 1,000 metres of altitude gain. San José (1,160 m) is consistently 8–10°C cooler than the Pacific beaches three hours away. Monteverde (1,400 m) requires a fleece year-round. Chirripó's summit (3,821 m) can see frost any month of the year. Plan your packing around elevation, not just the calendar.
Explore the Climate Sections
Climate Zones
Costa Rica has six distinct climate zones — from tropical dry forest to páramo tundra — shaped by elevation, ocean exposure, and latitude. Learn what makes each zone unique and where to experience them.
Seasons
Two seasons govern most of the country: dry season (December–April) and rainy season (May–November). The Caribbean coast follows its own opposite rhythm. Month-by-month weather breakdowns for all major regions.
Regional Weather
Detailed weather data for six representative cities — San José, Liberia, Quepos, Puerto Viejo, Monteverde, and San Gerardo de Rivas — with monthly averages and what makes each location's climate distinct.
Extreme Weather
Earthquakes, volcanic activity, tropical storms, flooding, landslides, and rip currents. Costa Rica has real natural hazards — here's what to know and how to stay safe.
Why Costa Rica Has So Many Microclimates
Costa Rica is roughly the size of West Virginia, yet contains over a dozen distinct ecosystems. This diversity comes from four interacting factors:
- Latitude (~10°N): Close enough to the equator for tropical heat and rainfall, but not directly on it — allowing distinct wet and dry seasons to exist on the Pacific side.
- Two mountain ranges: The Cordillera de Guanacaste and Cordillera Central run north-south through the country, acting as barriers that force moisture-laden air upward. The Pacific side gets rain shadows and dry seasons; the Caribbean side gets year-round rainfall.
- Two oceans: The Pacific and Caribbean have different sea temperatures, storm tracks, and prevailing wind patterns — creating fundamentally different weather systems on each coast.
- Altitude range 0–3,821 m: The 3,821-metre elevation difference between Chirripó's summit and the coastal lowlands creates every climate type from tropical rainforest to alpine tundra within a single small country.