Costa Rica Weather & Seasons: Complete 2026 Guide

Costa Rica has two seasons rather than four: • **Dry season (Verano):** mid-December to late April. Sunny days, low humidity in the Pacific, peak tourist season, higher prices. • **Green / rainy season (Invierno):** May to mid-November. Mornings usually clear, afternoon thunderstorms, lush landscapes, fewer tourists, better wildlife sightings, and 20–40% lower hotel rates. September and October are the wettest months on the Pacific side but, paradoxically, the driest and sunniest on the Caribbean coast — a key planning insight most guides miss.

Temperature in Costa Rica is dictated by elevation, not by season: • **Coastal lowlands (0–500 m):** 26–32 °C day, 22–25 °C night • **Central Valley (San José, Alajuela, 1,000–1,500 m):** 22–26 °C day, 14–18 °C night • **Arenal & San Carlos foothills (500–700 m):** 24–28 °C day, 18–21 °C night • **Cloud forests (Monteverde, 1,500–1,800 m):** 16–22 °C day, 10–14 °C night • **High mountains (Cerro de la Muerte, Chirripó, 2,500–3,800 m):** 5–18 °C day, can reach 0 °C at night UV index is extreme year-round — SPF 50+ sunscreen is non-negotiable, even on cloudy days.

• **Guanacaste & Nicoya Peninsula:** December–April (dry, sunny beaches) • **Arenal & La Fortuna:** February–April for clearest volcano views; May–November for green landscapes and waterfalls • **Monteverde Cloud Forest:** January–April (less mist, easier hiking) • **Caribbean (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero):** February–April and September–October • **Osa Peninsula & South Pacific:** December–April; May–July for whale watching • **Manuel Antonio (Quepos):** December–April for beach weather; year-round for wildlife

Regardless of region, every Costa Rica suitcase needs: • Quick-dry shirts and trekking pants (cotton stays wet) • Lightweight rain jacket (even in dry season at higher elevations) • Closed hiking shoes + sandals/water shoes • Wide-brim hat and polarized sunglasses • Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+ and DEET-free repellent • Refillable water bottle (tap water is safe almost everywhere) • Headlamp for night walks • Small daypack with rain cover • Binoculars (8x42 ideal) for wildlife • Universal power adapter (Costa Rica uses Type A/B, 120 V)

The tropical climate brings a few practical considerations: • **Mosquitoes:** worst at dawn/dusk near water. Use repellent with picaridin or DEET. • **Sun exposure:** the equatorial sun burns in 15–20 minutes — reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. • **Rip currents:** Pacific beaches (Jacó, Tamarindo, Dominical) have strong currents. Swim only at lifeguarded sections. • **Hydration:** humid heat dehydrates fast. Drink 3–4 L of water per day on tour days. • **Altitude:** Cerro de la Muerte and Chirripó can cause altitude headaches — ascend slowly.