Weather by month for central Costa Rica, the best months to go and how Costa Rica's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
Feb
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 22°C · 11 rain days
Jan, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 21°C to 23°C · 16–30 rain days
Weather by month
Average highs and lows, rain days, sunshine and our month score out of 10.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C / 15°C | 17 days (102 mm) | 10.0 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| Best month: February | 22°C / 15°C | 11 days (63 mm) | 10.7 h/day | 7.7/10 |
| March | 23°C / 15°C | 16 days (66 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| April | 23°C / 16°C | 21 days (181 mm) | 10.0 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| May | 23°C / 17°C | 29 days (443 mm) | 8.1 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| June | 23°C / 17°C | 30 days (485 mm) | 7.5 h/day | 6.9/10 |
| July | 22°C / 17°C | 29 days (426 mm) | 7.6 h/day | 6.9/10 |
| August | 23°C / 16°C | 30 days (490 mm) | 8.0 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| September | 23°C / 16°C | 30 days (571 mm) | 7.8 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| October | 23°C / 16°C | 30 days (587 mm) | 7.4 h/day | 6.9/10 |
| November | 22°C / 16°C | 29 days (394 mm) | 7.6 h/day | 6.9/10 |
| December | 22°C / 15°C | 21 days (170 mm) | 9.3 h/day | 7.0/10 |
Figures for central Costa Rica; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
21°C / 15°C · 17 rain days · 10.0 h sun
January brings dry-season weather, with a high of 21.4°C and a low of 14.7°C. Rain falls on 16.7 days, but the total is modest at 102 mm. You get about 10 hours of sun a day. Our score is 7, so this is a good month to go.
22°C / 15°C · 11 rain days · 10.7 h sun
February is the best month in our scores, at 7.7. It is the driest month, with 11.4 rain days and 63 mm of rain. Highs reach 22.1°C, nights drop to 14.5°C, and there are 10.7 hours of sun a day. If you can choose only one month, choose this one.
23°C / 15°C · 16 rain days · 10.8 h sun
March stays fairly dry, with 66 mm of rain, though it falls on 15.5 days. The high is 22.8°C, and sun peaks at 10.8 hours a day, the most of the year. It scores 7, a good month and a strong second choice after February.
23°C / 16°C · 21 rain days · 10.0 h sun
April is a turning point. The high rises to 23.3°C, but rain days climb to 21.4, and rainfall jumps from 66 mm in March to 181 mm. You still get about 10 hours of sun a day. It scores 7, a good month, but expect more showers than earlier in the year.
23°C / 17°C · 29 rain days · 8.1 h sun
May is when the wet season really starts. Rain falls on 28.7 days and totals 443 mm, and sun drops to 8.1 hours a day. Highs are 23.2°C. The score is still 7, which counts as good, but plan for rain almost every day and keep your outdoor plans flexible.
23°C / 17°C · 30 rain days · 7.5 h sun
June is very wet, with 29.7 rain days and 485 mm of rain. The high is 22.7°C, with 7.5 hours of sun a day. It scores 6.9, among the lowest of the year. Go only if you accept daily rain. If dry weather matters to you, this is not the time.
22°C / 17°C · 29 rain days · 7.6 h sun
July has a little less rain than June, at 426 mm, but it still falls on 29 days. Highs are 22.3°C and lows 16.5°C. The score is 6.9. Expect wet days and pack rain gear. This is not a month for travellers who want dry weather.
23°C / 16°C · 30 rain days · 8.0 h sun
August is wetter than July, with 490 mm of rain over 29.5 days. The high is 22.7°C, and sun averages 8 hours a day. It scores 7, which is good on paper, but rain is almost constant, so weigh that before you book.
23°C / 16°C · 30 rain days · 7.8 h sun
September is one of the wettest months, with 571 mm of rain on 29.8 days. Highs are 22.9°C, with 7.8 hours of sun a day. The score is 7, but the rain figures are clear: this is a poor time to go if you want long days outside.
23°C / 16°C · 30 rain days · 7.4 h sun
October is the wettest month of the year, with 587 mm of rain on 30.2 days. It also has the least sun, at 7.4 hours a day. The high is 22.5°C. It scores 6.9. This is the worst month for weather, so avoid it unless heavy rain does not bother you.
22°C / 16°C · 29 rain days · 7.6 h sun
November is still wet, with 394 mm of rain on 28.6 days, though less than October. The high falls to 21.7°C, and sun averages 7.6 hours a day. It scores 6.9. Rain is still a daily feature, so this is not a good choice if you want dry weather.
22°C / 15°C · 21 rain days · 9.3 h sun
December marks the return of drier weather. Rainfall drops to 170 mm over 21.3 days, and sun rises to 9.3 hours a day. The high is 21.5°C and the low 15.4°C. It scores 7, a good month, and conditions keep improving into January and February.
By trip type
City sightseeing
February is the best month for city trips. It has the fewest rain days of the year (11.4) and only 63 mm of rain. It also has 10.7 hours of sun a day and mild highs of about 22°C.
Hiking & nature
January and February suit hiking best. February is the driest, with 63 mm of rain. January is wetter at 102 mm, but still far drier than May to November, when monthly rain reaches 394–587 mm. Highs stay cool, around 21–22°C.
Keep planning
FAQ
February is the best month, with the highest score in the data at 7.7. It is the driest month, with 63 mm of rain over about 11 rain days. It also gets 10.7 hours of sun a day. Days reach about 22°C and nights drop to about 15°C.
Rain is heaviest from May to November. In these months it rains on about 29 to 30 days, and monthly totals are 394 to 587 mm. Sun drops to 7.4 to 8.1 hours a day. The driest months are January to March, with 63 to 102 mm of rain.
Only if you don't mind a lot of rain. October is the wettest month, with 587 mm and rain on about 30 days. It also has the least sun, at 7.4 hours a day. It still scores 6.9, and temperatures stay mild at about 22.5°C by day and 16°C at night. If you want dry days, choose February instead.
Yes, but expect some rain. December gets 170 mm over about 21 rain days. That is much less than November's 394 mm. Sun rises to 9.3 hours a day. Highs are about 21.5°C and lows about 15°C. For the driest weather, February is better.
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