Costa Rica is a Central American country that borders the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is located north of Nicaragua and borders Panama to the southeast. When is the best time to travel to Costa Rica? Here is our advice to help you choose the right time to visit. Costa Rica is located in the intertropical zone and enjoys a tropical climate divided into two seasons. The first is the dry season, which extends from December to April with high temperatures.
Temperatures rise steadily above 90° F (35 °C). Despite this heat, this is the most recommended time to visit Costa Rica! The second is the wet season, known as the “green season,” from April to November. Depending on the geographical area and the altitude, the climate varies. It is more temperate in the central valley with temperatures around 68° F (20 °C).
On the east coast, the climate becomes somewhat tropical and humid. High temperatures are frequent there, with mercury showing values around 86° F (30 °C). Similarly, precipitation occurs more throughout the year on the Caribbean coast and the Pacific coast, in its southern part, unlike the rest of the coast.
In One Look
The climate of Costa Rica is tropical: the country experiences a dry season and a rainy season. The best time of the year to travel to Costa Rica is preferable during the dry season, between December and April. On the other hand, we notice a temperature difference between the Coast and the Center: the first is hot, with temperatures around 30 degrees, while the second is temperate throughout the year, with about 17 degrees.
You will discover an absolutely splendid country made of mountains, forests, and paradisiacal beaches, in a favorable climate.
Best Time to Enjoy Costa Rican Beaches
From December to April!
Costa Rica is one of the most famous destinations in terms of beaches. In Nicoya, you’ll lounge on a white-sand beach while the famous Playa Manuel Antonio overlooks stunning turquoise water. Playa Grande and Playa Guiones will be perfect for surfers, and Playa Negra is one of the best beaches for swimming. If you want to get away from civilization, go to the Parque Nacional Marino Ballena. At last, observe the astonishing phenomenon of bioluminescence on the beaches of Golfo Dulce.
Best Time to Surf in Costa Rica
From May to November!
If there is one trip you should focus on during the rainy season, it is definitely surfing in Costa Rica. During the rainy season, the waves are perfect for surfing. You will especially appreciate Dominical and Pavones. Playa Samara is ideal for those who want to discover the practice of surfing, while regulars will surf and compete in Salsa Brava.
Where and When to Go?
It is possible to travel to Costa Rica all year round. For a lazy stay on the shores of the Caribbean, November to April are the most recommended. They allow you to enjoy pleasant temperatures and a very low risk of precipitation.
To go on a safari near San José, choose the months from January to May, which allow excellent visibility. To take advantage of Liberia’s savannah climate, choose the months from November to February.
The central mountains, for their part, will be visited more easily in the dry season. Temperatures then hover around 73° F (23 ° C) and precipitation is scarce.
Costa Rica All Year Round, Which Regions to Visit?
In addition to the previous regions, other regions are available to you regardless of the period during which you decide to leave.
The Nicoya Peninsula is neither more nor less a replica of paradise: superb jungle, tropical beaches, wild nature… You will love the beaches of Nicoya, and you will not fail to observe the spectacle of the laying of the eggs of sea turtles on the coast. You can go all year round to this part of the country.
If you discover the region during the dry season, you will avoid the rain but be warned: this is the hottest region. It is also the driest region, so you can leave during the rainy season without too much rainfall if luck is on your side. Surfers will choose the rainy season: the swell makes the surfing conditions optimal.
Coco Island is located in the middle of the Pacific and is protected by UNESCO as an animal sanctuary on land and underwater. The island is a natural paradise for divers: you will come across sharks of different kinds, tuna, sea turtles, manta rays… People come to dive here for the animals and not for the corals, and only if it has a certain level of diving. You can go all year round to Coco Island: it is indeed a hot destination, where tropical rains occur without warning.
So it will be a matter of luck!
Holidays
The other times of the year you may want to avoid traveling to Costa Rica is during the holidays. The busiest travel periods are during the Christmas and New Year week. Most locals usually get some time off from work and stay in various hotels or holiday resorts with their families. This is also a popular travel period for most tourists.
It is the same case during Easter Week (Semana). Hotels are usually busy and expensive during this period. If you plan to travel to Costa Rica during the periods we’ve mentioned, you can book your flight and accommodation early.
The Geography of Costa Rica
Besides the location and climate, Costa Rica is geographically made up of:
- Cordilleras
- Volcanoes
- Coastal plains
The highest point in Costa Rica is Cerro Chirripo, which reaches 3819 meters within the Cordillera Talamanca. The latter extends to Panama over 275 km. The other Cordilleras are the Guanacaste Volcanic Cordillera and the Centrale. The first measures 110 km from North to South and includes the famous Arenal Volcano. The Cordillera Central consists of the famous Poas and Irazú Volcanoes.
Costa Rica has 10 volcanoes, of which 5 are still active, and 2 coastal plains. This is the Caribbean and Pacific coast. Important lava plains characterize the Caribbean coast due to the many eruptions that this geographical area has suffered.
They are vast, covering 1/3 of Costa Rica. On the Pacific side, the plain is more rugged and narrower, with many bays. Now that you know Costa Rica best time to travel, how about you start planning that trip. For tips on how to budget for your amazing Costa Rica vacation, check out our article on How To Create a Travel Budget here!
best time of year to travel to costa rica
