Weather & Seasons

Costa Rica, though commonly known only for its tropical climate and hot sandy beaches, is acctually a very climate diverse country. There are several main regions in Costa Rica that define these unique climate conditions.

The Mountains. From the cold cloud covered mountain tops, to the cloud forests like Monteverde wich are known for their biodiversity, the mountains in Costa Rica maintain a much cooler climate around 59°F and even reaching sometimes freezing temperatures in the hieghts of the mountain tops. These areas are almost allways covered in clouds and with high humidity.

The Valley. San Jose, which lies in the central valley, at approximately 1170 meters above sea level, has an average annual temperature of 69°F and can get quite cool at night.

The Coast. Exactly what you would expect from the tropical beaches and surrounding costal regions, 70°F to 90°F and humid yet cooled by the coastal breezes.

Seasons:
There are two seasons in Costa Rica.

• Dry season or summer (verano) - From December - April
  • This season, true to its name, is predominately dry, only getting rainfall maybe a few hours a week and can sometimes go for weeks or even an entire month with no rain at all in a given region.
     
• Rainy Season or "winter" (invierno) - From May - November
  • During this season rain is plently, but not overwhelming as one might assume from a season of rain. The mornings are almost allways sunny and clear with regular afternoon showers that last into the night. As all weather is unpredictable, even during the rainy season it can clear up for days or maybe a week without rain. But even during the rainy season Costa Rica is a great place to visit. The waterfalls are more fantastic, rivers better for rafting, and the afternoon rains make for cooler evenings and nights. If planned right, one can do their outdoor activities and sunbathing in the mornings and by the afternoon the rain will come as a refreshing relief from the heat.