Regional Weather in Costa Rica
Six cities spread across Costa Rica's six climate zones — each with its own monthly weather patterns, quirks, and ideal visiting windows. All data represents long-term averages; individual years vary.
Which part of Costa Rica has the best weather?
It depends what you mean by "best." For warm, dry beach weather, Guanacaste (Liberia / Tamarindo) is unbeatable December–April. For comfortable year-round temperatures, the Central Valley (San José) is hard to beat at 18–26°C every month. For lush landscapes and lower prices, the Central Pacific (Quepos / Manuel Antonio) in green season (May–November) is excellent — rain falls mainly in afternoons. The Caribbean (Puerto Viejo) has no true dry season but is relatively drier February–April.
Microclimates Are Real
Costa Rica's microclimates are genuinely dramatic. Moving 10 km — or just a few hundred metres in elevation — can completely change the weather. The averages below describe each city, but even within a region, a valley floor, a windward ridge, and a leeward slope will all have different conditions. Always ask local guides or hotel staff about conditions specific to your exact location.
San José
Central Valley · Central Valley / Meseta Central
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainy Days | Humidity % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24 | 15 | 2 | 72% | Driest, coolest month. Morning mist common. |
| Feb | 25 | 15 | 2 | 70% | Dry and sunny. Best overall weather. |
| Mar | 27 | 16 | 3 | 68% | Warmest dry-season month. Increasing sunshine. |
| Apr | 27 | 17 | 7 | 72% | Transition month. First rains arrive late April. |
| May | 26 | 17 | 16 | 80% | Rainy season begins. Afternoon downpours typical. |
| Jun | 25 | 17 | 17 | 82% | Consistent afternoon rain. Mornings often clear. |
| Jul | 25 | 16 | 15 | 81% | Veranillo (mini dry spell) possible mid-to-late July. |
| Aug | 25 | 16 | 17 | 82% | Rains resume after veranillo. Green and lush. |
| Sep | 24 | 16 | 21 | 86% | Heaviest rains. Landslide risk elevated. |
| Oct | 24 | 16 | 22 | 87% | Wettest month. Rivers flood. Roads can close. |
| Nov | 23 | 15 | 14 | 82% | Rains taper off. Transition to dry season. |
| Dec | 23 | 14 | 6 | 76% | Dry season resumes. Cool evenings. Holiday crowds. |
San José sits at 1,160 m in the heart of the Central Valley, giving it the most temperate climate in the country. Year-round temperatures rarely dip below 14°C or exceed 28°C. The dry season (December–April) brings cooler nights and misty mornings; the rainy season brings reliable afternoon showers but consistently comfortable temperatures. There is no extreme season — it's genuinely pleasant every month.
Liberia
Guanacaste · Tropical Dry Forest
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainy Days | Humidity % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 20 | 1 | 60% | Dry, sunny, and hot. Peak tourist season. |
| Feb | 34 | 20 | 1 | 58% | Hottest dry-season month begins. Very little rain. |
| Mar | 36 | 22 | 1 | 55% | Extreme heat. Dusty and very dry. |
| Apr | 37 | 23 | 3 | 60% | Hottest month. First light rains possible late April. |
| May | 33 | 23 | 12 | 74% | Rains arrive. Dramatic green transformation begins. |
| Jun | 31 | 22 | 16 | 80% | Heavy afternoon rains. Lush vegetation. |
| Jul | 31 | 22 | 13 | 77% | Veranillo mid-month. Briefly drier and sunnier. |
| Aug | 31 | 22 | 14 | 79% | Rains continue. Warm and humid. |
| Sep | 30 | 22 | 19 | 84% | Very wet. Roads in rural Guanacaste can flood. |
| Oct | 30 | 21 | 20 | 85% | Wettest month. Flooding possible in lowland areas. |
| Nov | 32 | 20 | 7 | 72% | Rains end rapidly. Dry season resumes. |
| Dec | 33 | 19 | 1 | 63% | Dry and hot. High tourist season. |
Liberia is the gateway to Guanacaste — Costa Rica's driest and hottest region. The contrast between seasons is the most extreme in the country: bone-dry and 37°C in March–April, then a dramatic transformation to lush and green with the May rains. March and April are scorching; November through April are the months to visit if you want beach weather. The dry season is genuinely one of the most reliable in Central America.
Quepos
Central Pacific · Tropical Rainforest / Pacific
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainy Days | Humidity % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 22 | 4 | 75% | Dry season. Sunny beaches and good wildlife viewing. |
| Feb | 33 | 22 | 3 | 73% | Peak dry season. Great for Manuel Antonio. |
| Mar | 34 | 23 | 3 | 72% | Hot and dry. Crowded with Semana Santa visitors. |
| Apr | 33 | 23 | 8 | 78% | Transition. First rains increase late April. |
| May | 30 | 23 | 19 | 87% | Heavy rains begin. Very green and lush. |
| Jun | 29 | 22 | 22 | 90% | Very wet month. Morning swims before afternoon rain. |
| Jul | 29 | 22 | 20 | 89% | Wet but veranillo possible. Fewer crowds. |
| Aug | 29 | 22 | 21 | 90% | Consistently rainy. Excellent for waterfall visits. |
| Sep | 29 | 22 | 23 | 91% | Wettest month. Good whale watching (humpbacks). |
| Oct | 29 | 22 | 24 | 91% | Heaviest rains. Some lodges close. Flooding possible. |
| Nov | 30 | 22 | 15 | 85% | Rains taper off. Green season ends. |
| Dec | 31 | 22 | 7 | 78% | Dry season resumes. Busy holiday period. |
Quepos, the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, sits on the Central Pacific coast and has a pronounced rainy season. September and October are extremely wet — some lodges reduce operations. But the green season (May–November) has the compensation of lower prices, fewer crowds, and spectacularly lush forest. Mornings are often bright and clear even at the height of rainy season, making this an underrated time to visit.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Caribbean Coast · Caribbean Coast
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainy Days | Humidity % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29 | 22 | 16 | 85% | Moderate rain. Good coral reef snorkeling. |
| Feb | 29 | 22 | 13 | 82% | Relatively drier. Best conditions for Caribbean beaches. |
| Mar | 30 | 23 | 12 | 80% | Drier period. Calm seas. Good for swimming. |
| Apr | 30 | 23 | 14 | 82% | Rains increase mid-April. Still manageable. |
| May | 29 | 23 | 18 | 87% | Rainier. Turtle nesting season begins on some beaches. |
| Jun | 29 | 23 | 17 | 86% | Moderate rain. Less crowded than Pacific coast. |
| Jul | 29 | 23 | 18 | 87% | Wet. Caribbean can be a better bet if Pacific has veranillo. |
| Aug | 30 | 23 | 17 | 86% | Moderately wet. Green turtle nesting peaks. |
| Sep | 29 | 23 | 18 | 87% | Relatively drier compared to Oct–Nov. Good wildlife. |
| Oct | 28 | 22 | 22 | 90% | Wettest month on Caribbean coast. Heavy flooding possible. |
| Nov | 28 | 22 | 23 | 91% | Very wet. Second wettest month. Some closures. |
| Dec | 28 | 22 | 19 | 88% | Still rainy — opposite of Pacific. Fewer tourists. |
Puerto Viejo operates on a completely different calendar from the Pacific coast. Rain is possible any month, but October and November are the wettest — the exact opposite of the Pacific dry season. The best windows are February–April (relatively drier, calm seas) and September–October (brief drier spell before October rains peak). The Caribbean vibe is distinct from anywhere else in Costa Rica: reggae, Afro-Caribbean food, reef snorkeling, and a laid-back atmosphere regardless of season.
Monteverde
Cloud Forest · Cloud Forest
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainy Days | Humidity % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20 | 14 | 9 | 88% | Dry season but misty. Windy — known as 'windy season.' |
| Feb | 21 | 14 | 8 | 86% | Clearer mornings. Best month for forest walks. |
| Mar | 22 | 14 | 7 | 85% | Driest month. Good visibility and quetzal spotting. |
| Apr | 22 | 15 | 11 | 89% | First rains arrive. Still pleasant most days. |
| May | 20 | 15 | 17 | 93% | Rainy season begins. Very lush and atmospheric. |
| Jun | 19 | 15 | 19 | 95% | Very wet. Magical mist every day. Bring full rain gear. |
| Jul | 19 | 14 | 18 | 94% | Wet. Cloud forest at its most dramatic. Cool. |
| Aug | 19 | 14 | 19 | 95% | Very wet. Trails can be very muddy. |
| Sep | 18 | 14 | 22 | 96% | Wettest month. Bring waterproof everything. |
| Oct | 18 | 14 | 23 | 96% | Very wet and cool. Some canopy operators reduce hours. |
| Nov | 19 | 14 | 16 | 92% | Rains start decreasing. Still misty and atmospheric. |
| Dec | 19 | 14 | 11 | 89% | Drier but windy. Cooler at night. Pack a fleece. |
Monteverde's cloud forest is defined by mist — not rain in the conventional sense. Even in the "dry" season (December–April), the forest is perpetually damp, mossy, and atmospheric. Wind is a major factor, especially November through January (locals call it the "windy season"). The cloud forest is magical year-round, but December–April offers the most comfortable hiking conditions. September and October are the wettest and windiest months. Always bring a waterproof jacket and warm layer — it's notably cooler than the lowlands at all times.
San Gerardo de Rivas
Chirripó / Southern Zone · Highland / Páramo
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rainy Days | Humidity % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16 | 8 | 8 | 80% | Cool and relatively dry. Best month to summit Chirripó. |
| Feb | 17 | 8 | 7 | 78% | Best summit conditions. Clear early mornings. |
| Mar | 18 | 9 | 7 | 76% | Dry and clear. Summit views excellent. Frost still possible. |
| Apr | 17 | 10 | 12 | 83% | First rains increase. Afternoons cloud over earlier. |
| May | 15 | 10 | 18 | 89% | Rainy season. Trails get slippery and muddy. |
| Jun | 14 | 10 | 20 | 92% | Very wet. Chirripó permit quotas still possible but conditions are challenging. |
| Jul | 14 | 9 | 19 | 91% | Cool and wet. Summit views often blocked by cloud. |
| Aug | 14 | 9 | 20 | 92% | Wet. Snow-like frost on summit some nights. |
| Sep | 14 | 9 | 22 | 93% | Wettest month. Trails very difficult. Landslide risk. |
| Oct | 14 | 9 | 23 | 94% | Heaviest rains. SINAC may restrict access. Very cold. |
| Nov | 15 | 9 | 16 | 88% | Rains taper off. Conditions improving. Still cool. |
| Dec | 16 | 8 | 10 | 82% | Transition to dry season. Cold at altitude — sub-zero possible on summit. |
San Gerardo de Rivas is the base village for Chirripó National Park, Costa Rica's highest peak at 3,821 m. The summit is in a different weather world — sub-zero temperatures and frost are possible year-round. The best summit conditions are January through March: clear skies, good visibility, and manageable trail conditions. September and October see the heaviest rains, making the steep trails very dangerous and slippery. SINAC (the national parks authority) allocates daily permits — book these months in advance for peak-season dates.