When is the Best Times to Visit Costa Rica in 2022

Best Times to Visit Costa Rica

When people come to ask about the best time to travel to Costa Rica, most will mention the dry seasons of North America or Europe. However, the best time to travel to Costa Rica isn’t necessary when there are no crowds; it’s when you get the best weather (which happens for around 3-4 months) and when certain events take place in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is known for its tropical location, where the climate is perfect all year round; however, throughout the year, different times offer different perks. For instance, the best month for surfing would be December, while the best month for bird watching would be September. Therefore, the best time of year to visit Costa Rica varies depending on what activity you want to partake in. During your trip – here’s a summary of the most popular activities and when they are at their best month of the year to visit the best time to travel is the best month for surfing in December thanks to its giant waves, warm water temperature, and small crowds.

Things to Do in Coasta Rica

– Birdwatching: Birdwatchers should visit between September and November for what is known as the ‘toucan & tanager’ season. During this time, different species gather at waterfalls – such as the Monteverde waterfall – to eat mineral-rich clay, which helps them digest their food. Monteverde was the best place to spot the Blue Crowned Motmot and Resplendent Quetzal during this period.

–Hiking: If you plan to hike through Costa Rica’s national parks during your visit, it is best advised that you visit between December and February. People often think that the hiking season runs from April until November, but it’s best during these winter months because the trails aren’t as muddy, and there are fewer mosquitoes.

– White Water Rafting: Between June and September is considered the best time for rafting due to higher levels of rainfall. However, it can be best to avoid between December and March as there is often too much water which could cause the rapids to become dangerous.

– Snorkeling: Snorkeling season runs from November through to April because that’s when the sea turtles are nesting; therefore, you’ll find calmer waters and a greater chance of spotting certain species.

– Surfing: If you’re a surfer looking for the best conditions, then December – April is best, thanks to consistent waves throughout each month. April is when Costa Rica’s Pacific coast sees its biggest swells, and it’s also outside of the rainy season, which lasts from May until October. However, surfing in Costa Rica isn’t recommended during hurricane season, which lasts from June until November.

– Beach Going: While many people think of Costa Rica as an excellent beach destination all year round, they aren’t best visited between December and April because the ocean waters are too dangerous. The best months for swimming are between January and March, although you’ll find calmer waters during September-November.

– River Tubing: If you’re planning to visit Costa Rica to partake in their various varieties of tubing, then it is best advised that you avoid visiting between December and May when the river’s rapids will be too high. It can also be challenging to reach specific tubes during January-February due to slippery rocks, which means your journey will take longer than usual.

– Adventure Trekking: Adventure trekking isn’t best undertaken between November through until February because of heavy rainfall; however, this time could be perfect if you prefer warm weather and less

– Whale watching and turtle nesting: Popular times include June to August for watching whales and turtle nesting, January to mid-February for the dry season, and July for Wildflowers.

The optimum season to visit Costa Rica is between December and April (the dry season). This peak tourist period offers plenty of sunshine, making it a great time to explore rainforests and lounge on beaches. On the other hand, the dry season is when people go (and spend a lot of money). Fortunately, no matter what season you come here, the U.S. dollar goes quite far in Costa Rica. To secure a room and tour reservations, you must make your reservation three months in advance.

Visit between May and November, when prices are at their lowest if you don’t mind getting wet. Rain showers cease briefly during June and July in Costa Rica’s forests, which burst with green foliage.

Keep in mind that the weather varies by region while arranging your journey. For example, expect high humidity and temperatures ranging from the 70s to high 80s throughout the thick woods of Central America’s Caribbean Sea coast and Northern Plains. In contrast, the North Pacific anticipates lower humidity levels but higher temperatures that frequently soar into the 90s during Costa Rica’s dry months.

During December 2022 – April 2022 Season

Most sunshine and tourists arrive in the dry months of Costa Rica. People from all over the world come to see the nation’s magnificent rainforests and sandy beaches. Spot Quetzals soaring overhead and waddling green turtles during this time of year. During this season, you can observe colorful fiestas taking place across the country, including bullfights, dancing, and live music.

The weather in San Jose is heavenly year-round, with temperatures peaking at 80 degrees. Temperatures on the Northern Plains and coasts, such as the Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste, are cooler (90 degrees Fahrenheit). North American and European travelers come to Costa Rica for sun, beauty, and a vacation from the cold winter months at home in December and January. As a result, you’ll want to book your hotel several months in advance to ensure availability.

Costa Rica’s events and festivals:

• Music Festival – January
• Carnival de Puntarenas (Carnival of Puntarenas) – February
• Festival Gastronomico del Marisco (Seafood Gastronomic Festival) – May
• Día de San Jose (St. Joseph’s Day) – March
• Mother’s Day in Costa Rica (Dia de la Madre Costa Rica)- May
• Harvest Festival/Feria de la Manzana (Harvest Festival/Apple Fair) – July  
• El Tope and Carnival – December
• Festejos Populares – December
• Copa del Cafe – January
• Palmares Fiestas – January
• Santa Cruz Fiesta – January
• Diabilitos Fiesta – January
• National Orchid Show – March
• Juan Santamaría Day – April
• Virgin of the Seas Fiesta – July
• Annexation of Guanacaste Day – July
• Independence Day – September
• Maiz Fiesta – October
• Limon Carnival -October

During May 2022 – November 2022 Season

The rainy season, often referred to as the “green season” due to its spectacular foliage, is less popular and thus more affordable. Those that don’t mind getting drenched save money on accommodations. Showers in Guanacaste begin in the afternoon or evening and tend to last only a few hours. Expect showers along the Caribbean coast until September and October, when the sun starts to peek through.

If you want to go during this period, keep in mind that unpaved roads might be difficult to negotiate, making access to isolated locations an issue. However, there is a niche in the low season: tourists flood Costa Rica in July and August to view the country’s native animals without getting wet. If you intend on visiting during these months, make reservations several months ahead of time.

In Conclusion

The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April (the dry season). This peak tourist period offers plenty of sunshine, making it a great time to explore rainforests and lounge on beaches. On the other hand, the dry season is when people go (and spend a lot of money). Fortunately, no matter what season you come here, the U.S. dollar goes quite far in Costa Rica. To secure a room and tour reservations, you must make your reservation three months in advance.

Visit between May and November, when prices are at their lowest if you don’t mind getting wet. This time of the year is the rainy season, but showers tend only to last an hour or two. The best months to visit are September and October when it’s still not too wet. Remember that unpaved roads might be difficult to negotiate during this period.

If you want to go during the peak of the best time of year, December through April (when prices are at their highest), keep in mind that there’s a good chance it may rain any day of the week. However, if you can put up with some rain, this is by far your best shot at sunny skies all day long. For those more daring than most, catching a few waves can also be an option on Big Drop Boats.

The best thing about Costa Rica is that there’s no best time to visit. It doesn’t matter when you go; this place will always be beautiful. The best thing about the best time of year? No crowds, competition for reservations, and best prices!

Visit San Jose in December-February, where it is dry and sunny. This period is very popular with tourists and can be pretty busy: book your hotel room well in advance (3 months before the best date to travel). Temperatures range between 65–75 F (18-24 C) during the day, but nights can get chilly (55–60 F/12-15 C).

Cities such as Monteverde, Santa Elena, Tilaran, and Liberia also have great weather at this time. For the best mix of sun and rain, visit Monteverde in December-January, where days are dry but nights are humid due to clouds. Santa Elena is best visited January-February, where the rainiest months are November, April, May, September, October, but it can get busy at this time.

The best time to visit Guanacaste is during Costa Rica’s dry season (December through April). During these months, you’ll have no problem finding sunshine while lounging on a beach or hiking through lush forests that line the coast. The best place to stay in Guanacaste is either Tamarindo or Playa del Coco, both on the Pacific side of Costa Rica’s northwestern peninsula. Unfortunately, it gets pretty crowded along Costa Rica’s best beaches during the dry season (and especially around Christmas), so plan if you’re not one to like crowds.

For best results, avoid visiting garua season (roughly November through April) when cloudy skies prevail and frequent rainfall. Not only will it be challenging to see your surroundings, but many of Costa Rica’s best activities (such as horseback riding in Monteverde or rappelling down waterfalls in Arenal) might be called off due to poor weather conditions. Plus, because most people visit Costa Rica during the dry season, prices tend to be much higher when it’s raining.