last edited Dec 11, 2019
When and Where to Go in Costa Rica
Best Times to Visit Costa Rica
Finding the best time to visit means balancing climate conditions with crowd levels and the most attractive prices, both on-site and for travel.
The dry season from late November to early May is the most ideal for exploring the country. This avoids the heavy rains that can cause issues across most of the territory, particularly on the coasts where the atmosphere is also quite humid during this period. That said, even in the dry season, you won’t escape the nearly constant rainfall on the Caribbean coast, where February to April is the best bet for staying the driest.
Costa Rica also sees significant crowds during the dry season, especially around Christmas/January and Easter, with prices to match. Similarly, July and August see a small influx of European visitors.
Taking all this into account, April–May and November–early December are the most recommended times to visit.
| Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Coast Climate | ||||||||||||
| Caribbean Coast Climate | ||||||||||||
| Central Climate | ||||||||||||
| Avoid Crowds | / | / | ||||||||||
| Low Prices | / | / |
: very favorable | : favorable | : moderately favorable | : unfavorable.