When’s the best time to go to Costa Rica?

The best time to go to Costa Rica is between January and March, which is the dry season. Unfortunately, that’s also the busiest time for the tourist industry, so you can expect to pay more than the rest of the year. Temperatures don’t vary much throughout the year in Costa Rica (highs around 23° and lows around 15°) so the main factor in scheduling your trip is rainfall.

Of the rainy months, September and October are the wettest. It rains every day, and there’s a chance of tropical storms. May, June, July, August, and November have rain at least 20 days each, so if you decide to travel during those months, bring appropriate gear. December and April, on the edges of the dry season, have about 10 days of rain each. There is some climactic variation between different regions, so check local weather before deciding when to go to Costa Rica.

If you don’t speak Spanish, consider starting your trip to Costa Rica with a short immersion course. You’ll get much more out of your visit, staying with a host family and sharing meals together while learning some basic Spanish and practicing things you forgot from high school. Our Spanish courses in Costa Rica start every week and include host family accommodation, Spanish classes, and activities. We can also arrange volunteer opportunities. Regardless of when the best time to go to Costa Rica is for you, we hope you’ll join us.