Cheryl and Al walking the sky walk amidst the greenery

Weather in Costa Rica

Travel guide

Curious about the weather in Costa Rica? This Central American gem offers two main seasons - dry and rainy, making it an easy destination to plan for a tropical getaway. From the misty cloud forests of Monteverde to the golden beaches of Manuel Antonio, the Costa Rica climate varies by region, yet always a delight with its iconic sunshine, warmth, and wildlife. Whether you're after rainforest treks or volcanic hot springs, the weather here helps set the pace for a trip full of natural wonder.

View of Costa Rica mountains and forest

Weather in San José

San José sits in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, giving it a spring-like climate year-round. Expect temperatures in San José to average 18–27°C, with the rainy season running from May to November. Despite the short-lived rain, the mornings are sunny and the afternoons are misty.

Experience the weather in San José on our Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes tour.

Winter

December - February

Average High: 25 °C
Average Low: 19 °C
Rain: 0–3 days per month

Spring

March - May

Average Highs: 26–27 °C
Average Lows: 19–20 °C
Rain: 1–16 days per month

Summer

June - August

Average High: 26 °C
Average Low: 20 °C
Rain: 14–19 days per month

Autumn

September - November

Average Highs: 25–26 °C
Average Low: 19 °C
Rain: 11–22 days per month
Rio Celeste Waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Weather in Liberia

Located in the north-west, Liberia is one of the driest cities in Costa Rica. Temperatures in Liberia hover between 24–35°C, especially hot from March through May. The rainy season here is shorter and less intense, making it a great base for exploring the Guanacaste coast.

Experience the weather in Liberia on our Costa Rica Nature Adventure tour.

Winter

December - February

Average Highs: 32–34 °C
Average Lows: 21–22 °C
Rain: 0–1 day per month

Spring

March - May

Average Highs: 33–35 °C
Average Lows: 23 °C
Rain: 0–13 days per month

Summer

June - August

Average Highs: 31–32 °C
Average Lows: 23 °C
Rain: 13–16 days per month

Autumn

September - November

Average Highs: 30–31 °C
Average Lows: 22 °C
Rain: 9-17 days per month

Man wearing a helmet ziplining on a foggy day

Weather in Monteverde

Monteverde is known for its cool, misty climate. The temperature in Monteverde usually sits between 14–24°C, with steady rainfall almost year-round. It’s cooler than other parts of Costa Rica, so pack layers to be optimally prepared for cloud forest drizzle.

Experience the weather in Monteverde on our Costa Rica Nature Adventure tour.

Manuel Antonio Beach, Costa Rica

Weather in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio offers classic tropical weather: warm, humid, and green. With the wet season from May to October, high temperatures of 30–32°C are expected, providing optimal sunshine for exploring the Manuel Antonio National Park. Even in the rain, the national park remains a lush paradise, with sunny spells in the morning and showers in the late afternoon.

Experience the weather in Manuel Antonio on our Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes tour.

Tour Group At Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica

Weather in Arenal

The weather in Arenal is warm and changeable, with bursts of sun followed by refreshing tropical showers. Daily temperatures range from 20–30°C, perfect for an Arenal Natura Ecological Park walking tour. Rain is common from May to November, but the lush scenery and hot springs are year-round highlights.

Experience the weather in Arenal on our Costa Rica Nature Adventure tour.

Our Costa Rica tours

Save up to US$ 259

Costa Rica Eco Adventure Guided Tour
kayak-on-lake-arenal-costa-rica.jpg
la-fortuna-guided-walk-arenal-costa-rica.jpg
baldi-hot-springs-and-dinner-alajuela-province-la-fortuna-costa-rica.jpg

4.7

Costa Rica Nature Adventure

8 Days

1 Country

9 Locations

8-Day Costa Rica Tour from San Jose to Liberia

From

US$ 2,336

Was

US$ 2,595

Unedited Feefo reviews

Trafalgar is rated 4.6 / 5 based on 130,000+ verified reviews

"Fun and engaging for all ages!"

“Our guide, German, was wonderful and attended to every detail. He made it fun and engaging for all ages! He also provided local information and pointed out highlights while we travelled on the bus, which we would not have had if we travelled on our own.”

"Varied and well planned"

“The tour provided a great insight into Costa Rica's landscape and people. The locations and activities were varied and well planned. The tour director and driver were fabulous and were an important part of the itinerary's success. The director was very informative, providing information about the landscape, the venues and the country.”

"Wonderful"

“This trip was a wonderful overview of Costa Rica from east to west coast. Our guide did a fantastic job leading us on hikes, boat tours to see as many animals as possible.”

"An amazing trip of a lifetime"

“It was an amazing trip of a lifetime made so by our wonderful Trafalgar tour director. He was knowledgeable about any questions we had and saw to it that all of our needs were met. It was a well-planned, educational trip. The food and our lodging were terrific - our favourite being Tortuguero. We highly recommend travelling with Trafalgar.”

Looking for inspiration?

hanging-bridges-in-costa-rica-s-arenal-national-park.jpeg

5 reasons why July is the best month to visit Costa Rica

Brightly coloured frog on plant

How these Costa Rica tours are inspiring the next generation of environmental guardians

couple-of-macaws-on-a-palm-tree-in-costa-rica.jpeg

6 ways to feel the Pura Vida in Costa Rica with Trafalgar

tua-group-dancing-in-la-quinta-de-sarapiqui.jpeg

7 reasons to go on a Costa Rica family holiday

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. You’ll enjoy plenty of sunshine, ideal for beaches, national parks, and cloud forest walks.

The hottest month in Costa Rica is usually March, when inland areas can reach 35°C, especially around Liberia and the north-west.

January is the coldest month, but “cold” is relative, as temperatures in highland areas like Monteverde can dip to 14°C, especially at night.

Yes, Costa Rica has a long rainy season, typically from May to November. Some regions, such as Tortuguero, the South Pacific Coast, and highland cloud forests, receive over 200 days of rainfall annually.

No, it doesn’t snow in Costa Rica. At its coldest, frost-like conditions may sometimes be seen on a few mountaintops, where temperatures remain well above freezing. Known for its tropical climate, Costa Rica snow is a rarity, averaging zero days annually.

The dry season in Costa Rica lasts from December to April. It’s the best time to explore rainforests, coastlines, and wildlife reserves with minimal rainfall and more sunshine to explore the outdoors.

Trafalgar Tours Limited is a proud member of The Travel Corporation family of companies.
#SimplyTrafalgar
Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH

Copyright 2026 Trafalgar. All rights reserved.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is a trademark of The TreadRight Foundation, registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions, and is being used under license

Logo Treadright Blackttc-logo-tour-brand.svgIATA Logo black