Weather in Costa Rica

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica chose biodiversity over conflict — it abolished its army in 1948 and invested in education and nature. The result is a country with 5 percent of the world's species on 0.03 percent of its land, spectacular national parks, and a population that seems genuinely content.

Country

Costa Rica

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

CRC

Language

Spanish

Things to do in Costa Rica

Monteverde cloud forest Arenal volcano Zip-lining Sloth spotting Manuel Antonio beach White-water rafting

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

20C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

February

20C

Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.

March

21C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

April

22C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

May

22C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

June

22C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

July

21C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

August

22C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

September

22C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

October

22C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

November

21C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

December

20C

Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.

Costa Rica is the country that invented the concept of responsible ecotourism and has been refining it for decades — over a quarter of the land is national park or protected territory, you can witness volcano eruptions, spot quetzals in cloud forest, ride zip lines above rainforest canopies, and surf world-class Pacific waves all within the same small country. The slogan 'Pura Vida' means something genuine here: life is good, the biodiversity is extraordinary, and the coffee is the best in Central America.

Best areas to stay in Costa Rica

Arenal & La Fortuna

Costa Rica's most iconic landscape — the perfectly conical Arenal Volcano, natural hot springs, hanging bridges through cloud forest, and excellent wildlife watching.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

A unique ecosystem above the clouds — quetzal watching, zip-lining above the treetops, and the most extraordinary biodiversity of any forest in the Americas.

Manuel Antonio

The most accessible national park — white sand beaches, excellent snorkelling, and abundant wildlife including squirrel monkeys and white-faced capuchins, all within a relatively small protected area.

Nicoya Peninsula

The Pacific coast surf heartland — Nosara, Santa Teresa, and Mal País offer world-class breaks alongside a laid-back yoga retreat culture and excellent sunsets.

Getting to Costa Rica

✈

Flights

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José is the main entry point; British Airways and Iberia fly from London via Madrid. LATAM, United, and American offer connections via US hubs.

⏱

From London

~14–16 hours total journey time from London

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Getting around

Hire car (4WD recommended for rural roads) offers the most flexibility; Interbus shared shuttle services connect tourist destinations efficiently; local buses are very cheap but slow between regions.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?

December to April is the dry season on the Pacific coast — ideal for beach time and jungle trails. The Caribbean coast has different weather patterns and is often sunnier during June–October when the Pacific is wet. The green season (May–November) offers lush landscapes and fewer tourists.

Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?

UK passport holders do not need a visa for Costa Rica for stays up to 90 days. Ensure your passport has at least 6 months' validity and carry proof of onward travel (airlines and immigration sometimes request this).

What wildlife can I see in Costa Rica?

The biodiversity is extraordinary — quetzals, toucans, scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, sloths, jaguars (rare), sea turtles (seasonal), crocodiles, and over 900 bird species. A guide is invaluable for spotting the best wildlife.

Is Costa Rica expensive for Central America?

Yes — Costa Rica is significantly more expensive than its neighbours Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua. However, it offers excellent infrastructure, safety, and nature experiences. Budget travellers can manage with hostels, local sodas (cafés), and public buses.

What are the must-see national parks in Costa Rica?

Corcovado National Park (Pacific coast, 'the most biologically intense place on earth'), Manuel Antonio (beaches plus wildlife), Monteverde Cloud Forest (quetzals, canopy tours), and Arenal Volcano are the four essential parks.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Costa Rica is everything nature travel should be — we spotted three sloths, a quetzal in Monteverde (a genuine bucket-list tick), and watched green sea turtles nest at Tortuguero at night. The biodiversity is simply staggering.

Rachel A. · February 2024

★★★★★

Corcovado National Park with a guide was extraordinary — scarlet macaws, a tapir at the river, and more species of wildlife in a single day than I've seen in a decade of travel. The national park system in Costa Rica is magnificent.

David L. · January 2023

★★★★☆

The zip-lining at Monteverde was the most exhilarating thing we did but the cloud forest hike beneath the canopy was the most beautiful — bromeliad-draped trees in the mist felt genuinely prehistoric. A week here wasn't nearly enough.

Sophie M. · December 2024