🇨🇷 Costa Rica · When to go
The best time to visit Costa Rica
Costa Rica has two seasons: the dry season (mid-December–April), sunny and best for beaches and wildlife, and the green season (May–November), lush, quieter and cheaper with afternoon rain. The Caribbean coast follows its own pattern and is often at its best in September–October, when the Pacific is wettest.
Best overall
Mid-December–April (dry season) for reliable sun; May–June and November for the green-season shoulders.
Best weather
The dry season (mid-December to April), especially on the Pacific side.
Fewer crowds
The green season (May–November), outside the July mini-peak and Christmas/New Year.
Lowest prices
September–October (wettest on the Pacific) is cheapest — and prime on the Caribbean coast.
When to avoid
September–October if you specifically want dry Pacific beaches; and Christmas–New Year and Easter for peak crowds and prices.
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Costa Rica season by season
Sunny and reliable, the best time for beaches and wildlife — and the busiest and priciest, peaking over the holidays and Easter.
Lush and much quieter, with sunny mornings and afternoon showers — excellent value and great wildlife.
Wettest on the Pacific and cheapest overall, but the Caribbean side (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero) is often sunny and superb.
The rains ease into the dry season — green, quiet and good value just before peak.
Key events & holidays
Turtle nesting (varies by species and coast, roughly July–October), whale-watching (humpbacks, peaking August–October and again December–March), and lively Christmas/New Year and Easter (Semana Santa) holidays.
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Plan my Costa Rica trip — freeBest time to visit Costa Rica — FAQs
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
The dry season (mid-December to April) is sunniest and best for beaches and wildlife. For fewer crowds and lower prices, the green-season shoulders (May–June and November) are lush and rewarding, with rain usually in afternoon bursts.
What is the cheapest time to visit Costa Rica?
September–October is cheapest — it’s the wettest stretch on the Pacific, but the Caribbean coast is often at its best then, so it can be a savvy time to travel.
Is the green (rainy) season a bad time to visit?
Not at all — it’s green, quiet and cheaper, and rain often comes as short afternoon downpours after sunny mornings. Just avoid the wettest Pacific months (September–October) if you want dependable beach weather.
When is the best time for wildlife in Costa Rica?
Wildlife is good year-round, but the green season brings lush activity, and specific highlights have seasons: turtle nesting roughly July–October, and humpback whale-watching peaking August–October and December–March.
Weather, prices and event dates vary year to year — always check current forecasts and schedules before you book. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.