Weather & climate · San José

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

December to March

The best time to visit Costa Rica is December to March, when daytime highs in San José are around 26–30°C. April and November are also a good time to go. April is the warmest month (30°C by day), January the coldest (18°C at night), and October the wettest with about 301 mm of rain.

30°C

Warmest: April

18°C

Coldest nights: January

1792 mm

Rain per year

301 mm

Wettest: October

Costa Rica weather by month

Jan27°C18°C38 mm
Feb28°C19°C22 mm
Mar30°C19°C29 mm
Apr30°C20°C77 mm
May28°C21°C220 mm
Jun26°C21°C209 mm
Jul27°C20°C184 mm
Aug27°C20°C198 mm
Sep26°C20°C256 mm
Oct25°C20°C301 mm
Nov26°C19°C188 mm
Dec26°C19°C70 mm

Best time Good Less ideal

Average high Average low Rain (mm per month)

Month	High	Low	Rain	Humidity	Cloud cover	Verdict
January	27°C	18°C	38 mm	79%	47%	Best time
February	28°C	19°C	22 mm	71%	37%	Best time
March	30°C	19°C	29 mm	64%	41%	Best time
April	30°C	20°C	77 mm	68%	69%	Good
May	28°C	21°C	220 mm	81%	85%	Rainy
June	26°C	21°C	209 mm	88%	87%	Rainy
July	27°C	20°C	184 mm	87%	87%	Rainy
August	27°C	20°C	198 mm	88%	87%	Rainy
September	26°C	20°C	256 mm	90%	85%	Rainy
October	25°C	20°C	301 mm	91%	87%	Rainy
November	26°C	19°C	188 mm	90%	79%	Good
December	26°C	19°C	70 mm	85%	59%	Best time

Data: NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources) — 25-year climate averages 2001–2025, public domain, for the area around San José (9.93, -84.08). Satellite and model averages — local weather stations can differ by 1–2 °C, and mountains or coasts elsewhere in Costa Rica have their own climate.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?

December to March. The best time to visit Costa Rica is December to March, when daytime highs in San José are around 26–30°C. April and November are also a good time to go. April is the warmest month (30°C by day), January the coldest (18°C at night), and October the wettest with about 301 mm of rain.

What is the hottest month in Costa Rica?

April, with average highs of 30°C in San José.

What is the coldest month in Costa Rica?

January, when nights drop to about 18°C and days reach 27°C.

What is the rainiest month in Costa Rica?

October with about 301 mm; February is the driest (22 mm).

When should I avoid visiting Costa Rica?

May is the least comfortable month on average: 28°C by day and 220 mm of rain.

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