Ecotourism is largely responsible for Costa Rica's flourishing tourism business, which already welcomes more than 1.7 million visitors a year and is expected to continue growing.
The tropical climate and availability of natural parks in Costa Rica provide a never-ending supply of possibilities for a variety of outdoor pursuits, including but not limited to forest and volcano treks, wildlife observation, beach time, and more. To get the most out of Costa Rica's sights and culture, though, you need to do your research before settling on a particular time of year to visit the country.
Here is some information to help you decide when is the best time to go:
When to travel to Costa Rica to enjoy the country's beautiful weather
The tropical climate of Costa Rica ensures that the country is always warm. The nation is home to a great number of microclimates, which vary from one another in terms of temperature and rainfall, although the temperatures do not fluctuate significantly within each of them. As a consequence of this, the temperature across the country barely varies slightly, staying within the high 70s and low 80s Fahrenheit on average; however, the rain is the factor that is most likely to interfere with your travel plans.
The people of Costa Rica traditionally view their year as having two distinct seasons: the dry season (which lasts from December to April) and the green season (which lasts from May to November).
If you want to enjoy the warmest temperatures, plan your trip to Costa Rica around the dry season, which normally runs from December to April. As a result of the high amounts of sunshine, low amounts of precipitation, and pleasant temperatures that are common during these months, it is an excellent season to engage in activities outside and to travel throughout the country to visit its rugged beaches and national parks.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that the weather patterns in various locations of Costa Rica can differ from one another.
In September and October, when the bulk of the other regions see the majority of their annual precipitation, the Cordillera Central mountains, which are located on the Caribbean side, have their dry season. Because of this, the green season is the best time to visit Cahuita National Park as well as the Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center.
The green season is ideal for skilled surfers and whitewater rafters, while the high season is ideal for beachgoers in the majority of the country. The high season is also a good period for beachgoers in the majority of the country.
When the Arenal Volcano is most accessible for hiking.
One of the most interesting places to visit in Costa Rica is the Arenal Volcano, which is located in the middle of the country and is home to the Arenal Volcano National Park.
Up until the year 2010, this volcano was believed to be among the top 10 most active volcanoes in the entire globe. Molten rock and ash would often emerge from the summit of the volcano. There is still evidence of smoke and ash, but there has been no lava activity in the previous years. The volcano is encircled on all sides by verdant woods that are crisscrossed with hiking routes, thermal hot springs, and the stunning Lake Arenal.
Since the volcano receives the least amount of precipitation from May through November, hiking routes should be easier to navigate during this time, and temperatures should be agreeably warm, typically hovering around the middle 80s. This is widely regarded by travelers as the ideal time to make the trip. (On the other hand, some people believe that there is no such thing as poor weather, only unsuitable clothes and that the most exciting moment to view the volcano is when clouds are moving rapidly around it.)
When to Visit Costa Rica for the Best Opportunity to See Wildlife
For those interested in animals and the natural world, the country of Costa Rica is a mecca of great encounters and exciting adventures.
The months of December through April, which are considered to be the dry season, are ideal for seeing wildlife in Costa Rica. During this time of year, animals have a tendency to congregate around sources of water, which makes it simpler to find them. In addition, because there is not as much vegetation, it is much simpler to see birds and creatures both in the trees and on the ground below them.
However, it is essential to keep in mind that Costa Rica's flora and fauna are bountiful at all times of the year, and even during the wet season, it is possible to observe a large number of different species. The natural areas of this nation are home to a wide variety of animals, including monkeys, birds, wild cats, amphibians, and so on. There is an entire sanctuary dedicated to sloths that you may visit if you are interested in seeing them.
Nevertheless, a trip to Tortuguero National Park, also known as the "Place of Turtles," is one of the activities that you might want to plan ahead of time. Nesting sea turtles can be seen in this area of Costa Rica, which is also referred to as the "Little Amazon" of the country. On Tortuguero, green sea turtles lay their eggs between July and October, whereas leatherback turtles do so between March and May. Although the nesting season is done by November, it is possible to still watch the young birds hatching.
There are ecotourism businesses that will take families on boating and kayaking trips to view turtles nesting on the beach, but they will keep a respectful distance from the animals.
When to go to avoid the tourist hordes.
During the green season, those hikers who don't mind the wet afternoons will be rewarded with tranquil paths, temperatures that are a few degrees lower, and breathtaking scenery. It is a fact that dry weather makes it much simpler to go around, which increases the likelihood that one will be able to participate in additional activities.
Even though the rainy season in Costa Rica runs from May to November, the majority of the country does not see days of nonstop precipitation. Instead, it is more typical for the mornings to be clear and the afternoons to be cloudy and wet. Therefore, if you want to have an experience that is truly one of a kind, you should enjoy the rainy season in Costa Rica.
During this time, you can expect to find lower pricing for a variety of services, including flights, tours, and accommodations.
When to go to Costa Rica to get the best deals.
The months of May through November, which correspond to the country's rainy season, are traditionally the least expensive months in which to go to Costa Rica. Because there is less demand for tourism during this time of year, costs for lodging, transportation, and activities all fall within more reasonable ranges.
Cheap flights to Costa Rica are available.
When you can fly to Costa Rica for less money can change depending on a wide variety of circumstances, such as seasonal demand, special offers from airlines, and the availability of tickets.
The months of December through April are considered to be the high season; nevertheless, September, October, and November provide cheaper airfare than those months. According to the data provided by Skyscanner, September is the most cost-effective month to fly to Costa Rica, with potential savings on ticket prices of up to 19 percent when compared to months during the high travel season.
It is essential to keep in mind that prices are subject to change, and it is always a good idea to keep track of ticket bargains and compare costs from several different airlines to obtain the best available fares for the dates on which you will be traveling.
Related: the five most important resources and pointers you need to know to discover the best airfare
How to get a better deal on your lodging while traveling through Costa Rica
If you carefully plan your vacation and keep an eye out for good bargains, you'll likely be able to get reasonably priced hotel rooms in Costa Rica. Guesthouses, hostels, and smaller hotels operated by local families are all examples of accommodations that are kind to one's wallet. In comparison to luxury resorts, the rates offered by these types of lodgings are typically more wallet-friendly. You could also be able to save money on your accommodations by making your reservation during the off-peak season for the country, which runs from May to November on average.
Related: the top all-inclusive hotels in Costa Rica for beach vacations and outdoor adventures like hiking and fishing
You may, of course, always use your points to get a discount on your purchases. There are several hotel chains in Costa Rica, each of which provides repeat visitors with enticing benefits as part of their loyalty programs.
The Marriott Bonvoy program has accommodations that are suitable for families, such as the freshly refurbished Courtyard San Jose Escazu, which can be reserved for as little as 12,500 points per night, and the Westin Reserva Conchal, which can be reserved for 73,000 points per night.
Another well-known rewards program is called Hilton Honors, and it features participating Curio Collection properties. These locations include the Gran Hotel Costa Rica in San Jose (starting at 41,000 points per night) and the new Botanika Osa Peninsula, which is located on the wild and rugged Pacific Coast (starting at 32,000 points per night).
Travelers might also investigate the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and its IHG Rewards Club, which includes hotels such as the Holiday Inn San Jose-Aurola (starting at 36,000 points per night) and InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall (starting at 36,000 points per night).
Related: IHG is now offering a new promotion in which cardholders can earn up to 165,000 bonus points by using their card.
One of TPG's favorite World of Hyatt redemptions is in Costa Rica, and it's at the Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo. This resort features opulent rooms, first-rate services, and a breathtaking setting, yet it only costs 17,000 points per night during the low season.
When to catch the best waves to surf in Costa Rica
In general, the country has two primary seasons for surfing: summer and winter. The months of May through November, sometimes known as the rainy season, are peak months for surfing. Various factors contribute to the fact that the wet season in Costa Rica is considered by most people to be the ideal time of year for surfing.
To begin, the southwest swells that originate in the South Pacific are responsible for the larger waves that are seen during the rainy season. This results in ideal conditions for surfing, particularly along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica. In addition, there is less wind during the rainy season, which results in the ocean surface having a smooth and shiny appearance.
Even though Playa Tamarindo has waves that are quite calm throughout the year, intermediate and advanced surfers, especially like the greater swells that are present during the rainy season. This is the time of year when some of the country's most famous breaks, such as Witch's Rock and Ollie's Point, are at their peak.
It is essential to remember, however, that the greatest time for novice surfers to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, which runs from December to May. This is because the waves during this period are typically smaller and easier to navigate.
The coffee harvesting season in Costa Rica
Coffee beans grown in Costa Rica are always 100% Arabica and are known for their exceptional quality. It is only through firsthand experience of the coffee season that one can truly understand the complex flavors and heady scents that set Costa Rican coffee apart from other varieties of coffee.
The season normally lasts from October to March, but this time frame might shift slightly depending on the geographical location and elevation of coffee farms. The coffee cherries will have matured to the point where they are ready to be picked during this period. The coffee producers in Costa Rica have a lot of work to do during the harvest season since they have to hand-pick the ripe cherries with great care. It is also a significant cultural and economic event in the country, and visitors who come during this time can see the bustling activity on the plantations and even take part in coffee tours to learn about the process of how coffee is made.
Bottom Line
If a trip to Costa Rica is on your bucket list, the information in this guide will assist you in determining when the ideal time is to travel to this stunning country. Because there are so many different things to do, see, and experience throughout the year in Costa Rica, there is truly no bad time to go.