Costa Rica's Seasons - Costa Rica Découverte

Costa Rica’s Seasons

Costa Rica’s seasons are far from what we know in Europe. When you ask a Tico what they are, they will tell you: the dry season and the green season. Furthermore, the country is subject to climatic differences, and for this reason, we will speak of climates in the plural. Indeed, although the country is relatively small (51,000 km2), it is nonetheless a country of contrasts. Costa Rica has a diverse and varied climate that can be divided into several climatic zones, each one different and individual. The main reason for these variations comes from the fact that the country is located between two oceans very close to each other. Added to this is a central mountain range that rises to over 3,820 m. The scene is set.

Regions more than seasons

It would be a lie to describe the climate in Costa Rica month by month. When it’s sunny in the west, it can be deluging in the east, and vice versa. However, there are some major trends, and from December to April, the entire Pacific coast enjoys a hot and dry climate, while the Caribbean region experiences heavy rains. From May to October, the Caribbean enjoys more sunshine, while the South Pacific is well-watered, mainly in September and October.
However, the good news is that most of Costa Rica’s tours and attractions can be enjoyed year-round, depending on your interests and preferences. If you’re here to observe the abundant and active wildlife, May to August is the best time to visit. If you prefer very warm days and basking in the sun, December to April will enchant you.
Here is a table showing the main differences in rainfall and sunny days by region. Never lose sight of one important point: humidity = coolness = active and present animals. Basically, rain is part of the country and its wealth. A nice tropical downpour at the end of the day has the advantage of allowing you to sleep cool.

Costa Rica in January February

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Costa Rica in March April

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Costa Rica in July August

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Costa Rica in November December

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Precipitation and temperatures by region

CENTRAL PACIFIC
Month	Temp.	En mm
Jan	26,2	68
Feb	26,5	32
March	27,7	54
April	28,2	157
May	27,6	392
June	26,7	429
July	27	453
Aug	26,6	487
Sept	26,2	523
Oct	26,2	627
Nov	25,7	374
Déc	25,7	147

SOUTH PACIFIC
Month	Temp.	En mm
Jan	26	62
Feb	26,3	61
March	27,4	94
April	27,9	215
May	27,3	399
June	26,5	388
July	26,6	371
Aug	26,3	426
Sept	26	468
Oct	25,7	664
Nov	25,4	347
Déc	25,5	107

GOLFO DULCE
Month	Temp.	En mm
Jan	24,6	49
Feb	24,9	38
March	25,9	87
April	26,1	220
May	25,5	433
June	24,9	378
July	25	303
Aug	24,7	410
Sept	24,4	494
Oct	24,3	571
Nov	24	280
Dec	24,1	76

CARIBBEAN
Month	Temp.	En mm
Jan	25,6	286
Feb	25,9	187
March	26,9	182
April	27,4	274
May	27,1	272
June	26,4	257
July	26,6	378
Aug	26,4	288
Sept	26,2	128
Oct	25,9	172
Nov	25,4	345
Dec	25,3	425

ARENAL – TENORIO
Month	Temp.	En mm
Jan	22,8	281
Feb	23,1	182
March	24	108
April	24,4	124
May	24,2	330
June	23,6	464
July	23,5	576
Aug	23,4	509
Sept	23,2	505
Oct	23	525
Nov	22,9	459
Dec	22,5	469

GUANACASTE – NICOYA
Month	Temp.	En mm
Jan	25,3	2
Feb	25,7	7
March	26,9	2
April	27,4	44
May	26,8	209
June	25,8	229
July	26,1	180
Aug	25,8	247
Sept	25,4	338
Oct	25,2	301
Nov	24,9	115
Dec	24,7	21

DOTA
Month	Temp.	En mm
Jan	22,8	35
Feb	23,2	19
March	24,1	44
April	24,5	143
May	23,9	345
June	23,3	346
July	23,5	316
Aug	23,2	399
Sept	23	422
Oct	23	512
Nov	22,6	277
Dec	22,4	86

CENTRAL VALLEY
Month	Temp.	En mm
Jan	20,2	18
Feb	20,6	15
March	21,3	23
April	21,9	78
May	21,6	343
June	21,2	382
July	21,1	282
Aug	21,1	383
Sept	20,8	464
Oct	20,5	472
Nov	20,3	214
Dec	20	56

Best seasons for species observation

Below are the best times to observe marine species in Costa Rica.
Some of these species are present year-round, such as dolphins on the Pacific coast from the north to the south, and to a lesser extent on the Caribbean coast.
In Tortuguero, manatees, an endangered species, are still present, but you’ll have little chance of spotting them due to their shy nature.

	WHALE SHARKS		HUMPBACK WHALES		GREEN AND BLACK TURTLES			LOGGERHEAD AND HAWKSBILL TURTLES	TORTUES LUTH			TORTUES OLIVATRE		TORTUES CAOUANNE
January	Golfo Dulce Sporadic	South Pac.	Pac. Nord Sporadic	South Pac. Origin Arctic		North Pac.				Pac. Nord	Pac. Sud
February	Golfo Dulce Sporadic	South Pac.	Pac. Nord Sporadic	South Pac. Origine Arctique		North Pac.				Pac. Nord
March	Golfo Dulce Sporadic	South Pac.		South Pac. Arctic origin
April	Golfo Dulce Sporadic	South Pac.
May														Caraïbes
June								Caraïbes	Caraïbes				Pac. Sud	Caraïbes
July				South Pac. Origin Antarctic	Carribean		South Pac.	Carribean	Caraïbes			Pac. Nord	Pac. Sud	Caraïbes
August				South Pac. Origin Antarctic	Carribean		South Pac.	Carribean	Caraïbes		Pac. Sud	Pac. Nord	Pac. Sud	Caraïbes
September				South Pac. Origin AntarctiC	Carribean		South Pac.	Carribean	Caraïbes		Pac. Sud	Pac. Nord	Pac. Sud
October				South Pac. Origin Antarctic		North Pac.	South Pac.	Caribbean	Caraïbes	Pac. Nord	Pac. Sud	Pac. Nord	Pac. Sud
November			North Pac. Sporadic	South Pac. Origin Antarctic		North Pac.				Pac. Nord	Pac. Sud	Pac. Nord
December			North Pac. Sporadic	South Pac. Origin Arctic		North Pac.				Pac. Nord	Pac. Sud

If you’re on this page, it’s probably because 850 bird species are catching your eye. Costa Rica has become a benchmark in ornithology. The country welcomes migrants from the north in January and February, and vice versa, those from the south in September and October.

The Toucans

All year round you can observe toucans in Tortuguero, Sarapiqui, Arenal, Tenorio, Monteverde, the Caribbean coast, the Pacific coast and especially in the south, the Osa Peninsula.

Macaws

You’ll have the opportunity to observe Scarlet Macaws throughout the year, particularly in the Central Pacific and the Osa Peninsula. The Nicoya Peninsula also benefits from several successful reintroduction projects.
Below are Costa Rica’s iconic birds. The best times for observation are the nesting periods indicated in color in the table.

	Ambigus Green Macaw  Résident	Quetzal pharomachrus mocinno Résident		Araponga tricaronculatus Procnias tricarunculatus Résident			Unicolor Penelope Chamaepetes unicolor Résident	Ruby-throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris Migrateur		Calliste safran Tangara icterocephala Résident			American Jabiru Jabiru Mycteria Résident
January	North zone	Dota											Palo verde tempisque		Caño Negro Rio frio
February	North zone	Dota					Central Cordillera						Palo verde tempisque		Caño Negro Rio frio
March	North zone	Dota	Monteverde	Monteverde	Tapantí	La amistad	Central Cordillera	Guanacaste / Guiones – Pelada	Ujarras / Cartago				Palo verde tempisque		Caño Negro Rio frio
April	North zone	Dota	Monteverde	Monteverde	Tapantí	La amistad	Central Cordillera	Guanacaste / Guiones – Pelada	Ujarras / Cartago			Turrialba
May	North zone	Dota	Monteverde	Monteverde	Tapantí	La amistad	Central Cordillera	Guanacaste / Guiones – Pelada	Ujarras / Cartago			Turrialba
June	North zone	Dota	Monteverde	Monteverde	Tapantí	La amistad	Central Cordillera			Central Valley		Turrialba		Tortuguero
July			Monteverde	Monteverde	Tapantí	La amistad				Central Valley	Arenal	Turrialba		Tortuguero
August			Monteverde	Monteverde	Tapantí	La amistad				Central Valley	Arenal	Turrialba		Tortuguero
September										Central Valley	Arenal			Tortuguero
October										Central Valley	Arenal			Tortuguero
November		Dota									Arenal		Palo verde tempisque		Caño Negro Rio frio
Décember		Dota											Palo verde tempisque		Caño Negro Rio frio