Discover Costa Rica in March and April

Going to Costa Rica in March, April?

Here we give you all the information and our best tips for enjoying Costa Rica in March and April. This period is considered by everyone to be a transitional season. It is at this time that we, the natives, eagerly await because the first rains that are coming bring color back to the landscapes and water to the rivers. March is the hottest month of the year because the first showers significantly increase the humidity. In April, the rains intensify a little more everywhere and the heat persists.

It’s important to note that while March and April are still part of the high season, like January and February, there is Holy Week, which is associated with the Peak Season, namely the most expensive along with Christmas week. We strongly recommend avoiding this week to enjoy your trip to Costa Rica. It’s also a very popular vacation week in the country.

During Holy Week, you can witness the Catholic processions in Cartago and Heredia. Good Thursday and Good Friday are the two most fervent days throughout the country.

Here are the main trends for discovering Costa Rica in March and April in more detail, region by region.

Discover Costa Rica in March and April by region in detail

The Caribbean

These are the two hottest months of the year on the Caribbean coast. March is relatively quiet in terms of rain, and April is a bit wetter. Temperatures vary little, staying between 25 and 28 degrees. But, as soon as the first drops of rain fall, the feeling of heat intensifies.

The Central Valley

In and around San José, March and April see the north winds stop and the heat return with more intensity. Temperatures easily reach 30 degrees, and in the evening, some rain comes to cool the nights a little.

Arenal and Tenorio

March and April are the driest months in this region. The Arenal Volcano is often very clear, and the Rio Celeste takes on a turquoise color. This is one of the best seasons to appreciate all the landscapes.

Guanacaste and Nicoya Peninsula

Here, the drought is at its peak. March is extremely hot, and most of the rivers are dry. Wildlife awaits rain, as do the locals. These are the hottest months of the year, and temperatures sometimes reach 38 degrees. The sea or the pool then become essential for cooling off.

Central Pacific

As you travel down the Pacific coast, the climate varies little. From Puntarenas to Manuel Antonio, the days are hot, and the occasional scattered rain showers at the end of the day struggle to cool the air. Here again, the sea and the swimming pools are havens of refreshment.

South Pacific, Golfo Dulce and Osa Peninsula

Much like its northern cousin, the South Pacific enjoys a fairly dry climate in March, even though the rains are beginning to return. Temperatures are still very warm, as are the nights. April is rainier, although it remains fairly sporadic.

Cordillera Central, Dota

March in the Central Mountain Range is still a dry and hot month. April brings the first rains and the nights get a little cooler.

Below we give you some ideas for tours to discover Costa Rica in March and April:

  • Our honeymoon, the Oroverde Tour, is designed for those who wish to travel in March or April.
  • The must-sees of Costa Rica in 13 days with the Jaguar Tour
  • 15 days in Costa Rica with the Toucan Tour, designed for the months of March and April.

When visiting Costa Rica in March and April, don’t be afraid of the heat. Temperatures are at their highest of the year, and the winds are no longer blowing. This is also the transition period between the so-called dry season and the wet season, which increases the feeling of heat, as the humidity increases. It’s important to note that Holy Week is one of the peaks of tourism in Costa Rica.



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Our customers have their say

164 days ago
Our tour of Costa Rica from 19 to 31 March, organised by Sandrine and everyone at Costa Rica Decouverte, was truly unforgettable! We visited an exciting mix of destinations including San Jose, Monteverde, Arenal, Corcovado, and Tortuguero. From seamless transportation to breathtaking locations, fantastic tours and activities, comfortable accommodations, and delicious food—everything exceeded our expectations. Throughout our journey, we encountered friendly and helpful people who made our experience even more memorable. The places we stayed offered the chance to enjoy Costa Rica’s incredible nature right from the comfort of the verandas. Even the journeys between locations felt like grand adventures in themselves. Every day brought something new and exciting. I won’t share too many specifics, as some things are better left as surprises for others to discover on their own. Thank you again to Sandrine and everyone involved for making this such a wonderful experience for both myself and my partner. Barbara

Owner's reply
Hi Barbara, Thank you so much for your wonderful message 😊 We’re truly delighted to read that your journey through Costa Rica was such a memorable experience, and that each destination brought its share of discovery and emotion. Your words perfectly capture what we aim to create: a seamless adventure filled with beautiful moments, nature, and special encounters. A big thank you as well for your kind mention of Sandrine—we’ll be sure to pass it along! We love that you chose to keep a bit of mystery for future travelers… you’re absolutely right, some surprises are part of the magic ✨ It was a real pleasure to organize this trip for you and your partner. We hope to welcome you again one day for another Costa Rican adventure! Pura Vida 🌴☀️ The Costa Rica Découverte Team
195 days ago
We have had a wonderful stay in Costa Rica. Sandrine organized the trip to perfection in spite that we had decided this at the last moment. It was our first trip to Costa Rica and our main reason for visiting this beautiful country was to get away from the brutally long winter in Toronto, Canada. Sandrine introduced us to the different climates; Manuel Antonio with its mangroves, La Fontana de Arenal with its rainforest, Monteverde with its cloud forest and Carillo with its beach. We had private transportation between the different destinations which all ran like clockwork and all the hotels were exactly as we had requested; international, first class and family oriented. We highly recommend Cost Rica Découverte Travel Agency for its professionalism, punctuality and wonderful follow up throughout the trip.

Owner's reply
Thank you Bernardo for your lovely comment 🙏 It takes daily teamwork to listen to our customers before, during, and after their trip! And that's true that your trip was a good one. Pura Vida! 😎🇨🇷
246 days ago
+8
We had a great trip Costa Rica decouverte. Communication was excellent, great hotels and loved the balance with activities and relaxing times. We managed to see so much wildlife thanks for their knowledge. Highly recommend!

Owner's reply
Dear Tiffany, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your lovely feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had a great trip and that you enjoyed the balance between activities and relaxing moments, as well as the hotels and communication throughout your journey. We’re especially happy that our team’s knowledge helped you discover so much wildlife — that’s exactly what we love sharing about Costa Rica 🌿🐒 Thank you again for your trust and your recommendation. It was a real pleasure organizing your Costa Rica découverte!
254 days ago
From the very first conversation, the experience with Costa Rica Découverte was exceptional — particularly as a family travelling with children. The booking process was incredibly easy and reassuring, with the team taking the time to understand our family’s needs, pace, and interests. The itinerary came together smoothly, with thoughtful suggestions that balanced adventure, nature, relaxation, and comfort in a way that worked perfectly for both adults and children. In the lead-up to travel, the communication was outstanding. Every question — no matter how small — was answered promptly and clearly, and we felt completely prepared before we even left home. Knowing that every detail had been considered made a huge difference when travelling as a family, especially over the busy festive period. Once in Costa Rica, everything ran seamlessly. Transfers were punctual and well organised, guides were fantastic with the children — patient, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable — and activities were perfectly suited to a family dynamic. We always knew exactly where to be and what to expect, which removed all the usual stresses that can come with family travel. What really stood out was how well looked after we felt at every stage — before travelling, during the trip, and right through to departure. The staff were consistently friendly, professional, and genuinely caring, giving us complete confidence that we were in safe hands at all times. It allowed us to fully relax and focus on making memories together as a family. This was one of the best family holidays we have ever taken. Effortlessly organised, brilliantly communicated, and thoughtfully tailored for family travel, it exceeded our expectations in every way. We would recommend Costa Rica Découverte without hesitation to any family looking for a truly special, stress-free Costa Rica experience — and we will absolutely be booking with them again

Owner's reply
Dear Michelle and Mital, Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a wonderful and detailed review. We are truly touched by your kind words and delighted to know that your family trip to Costa Rica was such a positive and memorable experience. It was a real pleasure for our team to design this journey for your family and to ensure that every detail — from planning to on-the-ground logistics — met your expectations. Knowing that you felt well supported, relaxed, and able to fully enjoy time together as a family is exactly what we strive for. We will be sure to pass on your feedback to our local partners and guides, who will be thrilled to hear how much they contributed to your experience, especially with your children. Thank you again for your trust and recommendation. We would be absolutely delighted to welcome your family back to Costa Rica in the future and to help create another unforgettable journey. Warm regards, Sandrine 🦥
408 days ago
Absolutely incredible service our flights were delayed (we booked individually) they done everything to make every effort to rearrange hotels etc, even had a chauffer at the airport to bring us to our hotel, next day the car rental people were outside saving us having to collect the car, exactly what we needed after a long delayed flight. could not be happier with the service that was provided.

Owner's reply
Hi Brendan! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that, despite the flight delays, everything worked out smoothly for you. Our team is always happy to go the extra mile to ensure your trip starts stress-free and comfortably. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica for another unforgettable experience. Pura Vida! 🇨🇷😎
573 days ago
+3
My wife and I spent 3 weeks traveling across Costa Rica with my retired mother in February 2025. Maelle helped tailor this trip to our interests, particularly our desire to see as much of the country while keeping a reasonable rhythm, all interspersed with some relaxation and beach time. We started with Tortoguero (staying at the Mawamba Lodge, with boat excursions to see the wildlife, including waterfowl, sloths, and baby crocodiles), traveled west to Sarapiqui (the enchanting Selva Verde Lodge and a fascinating visit to Palmitour to see how hearts of palm are cultivated), then to Arenal (the simple but lovely Natural Green Lodge, and a fantastic guided tour of the Mistico suspension bridges), Tenorio (can’t say enough about the Celeste Mountain Lodge, though our excursion to the park was unfortunately rained out), and Monteverde (the cute Calathea Lodge, another great guided tour of Curi-Cancha), before going to Samara in Nicoya for a couple days on the beach (staying at Las Estrellas de Samara, which has an incredible view but definitely needs a 4x4 vehicle to reach it—and Maelle made sure we did). After that we headed south (stopping at beautiful Rancho Capulin B&B, after visiting the animal sanctuary Centro de Rescate Las Pumas—with its jaguars, monkeys, and myriad arts), making the obligatory stop at Manuel Antonio (a bit underwhelming after everything else we’d seen, but the Alma de Ojochal hotel was fantastic), before ending up in Drake (staying at the magnificent Natural Drake Bay) for some well-earned R&R and scuba diving. I cannot stress enough that the entire trip went as planned and without a hitch. The CRD crew was always available and immediately responsive whenever we had questions, and even made some last-minute adjustments for us along the way. Costa Rica is truly a wonderful country, and CRD made sure we saw it in the very best conditions. A heartfelt thanks to all. Pura vida!

Owner's reply
Hello Gregoire! Thank you so much for your heartfelt comment. We are really happy to have been able to participate in the success of this trip! The whole team wishes you an excellent selection of photos, and maybe we'll see you next time :) Pura Vida!
2952 days ago
just visited Costa Rica and the experience was super intense, I loved the nature that is like being inside a green explosion of live, thanks to ROOTS TRAVEL for helping to make this visit a five star time