Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Dry Season, Green Season & Regions
The best time to visit Costa Rica is the dry season (mid-December–April) for sun, or the May/November shoulders for value, wildlife and green landscapes. Full regional season guide.
Quick answer
The best time to visit Costa Rica is the dry season, mid-December to April, for reliable sunshine, especially on the Pacific coast. For a balance of good weather, green landscapes, fewer crowds, and lower prices, the shoulder months of May and November are excellent. The green (wet) season, May to November, brings afternoon rains but lush scenery and the best wildlife.
Costa Rica packs rainforest, cloud forest, volcanoes, and two very different coastlines into a small country, and its weather varies by region as much as by month. Here’s the honest seasonal picture and how to time it.
Dry season (mid-December–April): peak sunshine, peak prices
This is high season for good reason — the Pacific coast and the northwest are reliably sunny and dry, ideal for beaches, surfing, and volcano views. It’s the busiest and most expensive stretch, especially Christmas–New Year and Easter week, when prices spike and popular spots book out. Come for guaranteed sun; book early.
Green season (May–November): rain, but rewards
Locals call the wet season the “green season,” and it’s more appealing than “rainy” suggests. Mornings are often clear, with rain arriving in the afternoon; the landscape is spectacularly lush, waterfalls are full, and wildlife is most active — this is prime time for nesting sea turtles and vibrant birdlife. Crowds thin and prices drop significantly. September and October are the wettest, particularly on the Pacific side (though the Caribbean coast, which runs on a different rhythm, is often drier and sunnier then).
The shoulder months: May and November
For many travellers, May and November are the smartest picks. You get much of the dry season’s sunshine with the green season’s lower prices, smaller crowds, and lush scenery — the best all-round value.
Region changes everything
- Pacific/Guanacaste: Driest and sunniest in the dry season; classic beach weather.
- Caribbean coast: Different pattern — often driest around September–October, when the Pacific is wettest.
- Cloud forests (Monteverde): Cool and misty year-round; drier December–April.
So when should you actually go?
Want guaranteed beach sun? Go mid-December to April and book ahead. Want value, wildlife, and green landscapes with manageable rain? Target May or November. Travelling in the wetter months? Consider the Caribbean coast, which often shines when the Pacific is soggy.