Green Season in Costa Rica
The best time for nature photography, families, and travelers who want fewer crowds and lower prices.
Check green-season availabilityWhy travel in green season?
Lower prices
20–40% off many hotels
Fewer crowds
Trails and parks half empty
Lush green forest
Rainforest at peak vibrancy
Nesting season
Resident birds most colorful
Frog & macro paradise
Red-eyed tree frogs breeding
Predictable rain
Mornings clear, rain 1–5pm
What to expect month by month
May
Transition month — still mostly dry mornings, lush green starting. Excellent for birding and last-minute deals.
June
Frog breeding peak, baby sloths visible, US summer break begins. Great for families.
July
"Veranillo de San Juan" — a mini dry spell mid-month. Surprisingly sunny, peak European holidays.
August
Greenest month, best macro photography, whale watching starts on Pacific coast. Last family-friendly window.
Frequently asked questions
Is May to August a good time to visit Costa Rica?+
Yes — May through August is "green season" in Costa Rica. You get lush rainforests, fewer crowds, lower prices, peak frog and bird nesting activity, and rain typically falls in short afternoon showers, leaving mornings clear for tours.
Does it rain all day in La Fortuna in June or July?+
No. Mornings are usually sunny or partly cloudy. Rain typically arrives between 1pm–5pm and clears for the night tours. We schedule wildlife and birding tours early to maximize dry windows.
What wildlife is best to see during green season?+
Red-eyed tree frogs (peak breeding), glass frogs, snakes, sloths feeding actively, toucans, motmots, hummingbirds, baby monkeys, and incredible insect macro photography subjects. Migratory birds leave but resident species are at their most colorful.
Are there discounts during green season?+
Yes — many hotels offer 20–40% off, and we extend special multi-tour combos for travelers booking May through August. Ask us for the green season package.
Is green season good for families with kids on summer break?+
Excellent. June–August aligns with US/EU school holidays, kids love frog tours and hanging bridges, and smaller crowds mean private wildlife sightings and easier hotel availability.