The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

Costa-Rica-Family-Vacations-Feature.jpg

Perhaps you already know the popular things to do of the Costa Rican attractions, such as:

But if you haven't been there already, we highly recommend shuffling this trip to the top of your bucket list.

Now, assuming you've taken our expert advice to heart and are ready to think about your next great Costa Rican adventure, let's talk about the best time to visit Costa Rica along with the various ways you can approach the trip.

(..and Pssst! You can experience all of the above and more first-hand with one of our Costa Rica Vacation Packages)

When Is The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica?

Each of the 12 months offers something truly special and plenty of things to do in Costa Rica. Depending on the type of vacation you're looking for and the activities you'd like to partake in, the best time to visit Costa Rica will differ from one traveler to another. Here's a look at what you can expect during each season:

Costa Rica Rainy Season: May - November

The rainy season in Costa Rica lasts from early May until about mid November, with rainfall at its heaviest in September and October. Contrary to what you might think, this can actually be a very beautiful time of year to visit. Travel Impacts & Considerations Rain will hold you back from very little in Costa Rica, except for perhaps travel into the most remote areas of the country where dirt roads pose a problem.

During the wet season, you can expect that the sun will be shining in the morning, but will be followed by some clouds and showers in the afternoon. It's a rinse, wash, repeat kind of thing. You'll absolutely have an amazing trip during the rainy season - you just have to be okay with (no surprise) rain! If you're the adventurous type that's willing to get out and explore despite the dampness, then worry not, because this is the best time to visit Costa Rica for you. During Costa Rica's rainy season, you'll enjoy:

  • Lush greenery that is at its prime; there's no other time of year to experience the beauty and serenity of Costa Rica

  • More alone time; i.e., there will be far fewer tourists than usual and you won't need to worry about capturing unwanted strangers in your trip photographs!

  • A reduced rate - travel packages and tours can typically be purchased at a fraction of the price as this is not what's considered to be Costa Rica's peak season

Costa Rica Dry Season: November - April

The dry season in Costa Rica - often referred to as the country's peak season - lasts from late November to early April. If you're worried about the rain impacting the activities and sights you've chosen to explore, you likely want to aim for your visit to fall between these months. Travel Impacts & Considerations During the dry season, you'll enjoy:

  • Full access to the country of Costa Rica, including remote areas like the Nicoya Peninsula, if desired

  • Dry, warm weather for outdoor activities like rappelling, hiking, ziplining, kayaking and more (if you're into these activities, check out our Costa Rica vacation packages!)

  • The hustle and bustle of many other travelers doing the same thing you are: exploring the beautiful and bountiful Costa Rica

For a look at just how lush and beautiful the forests in Costa Rica really are, take a look at this short video featuring Dan of Austin Adventures ziplining high above the treetops!

Holidays & Religion in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is primarily a Catholic country, and most of their 15 public holidays are religious. On holidays, you can expect that some (if not all) goods and services, including public transportation, will be closed. Some of the religious holidays in Costa Rica include:

  • Holy Week (April)

  • Easter (April)

  • Corpus Christi Day (May)

  • Saint Peter and Paul Day (June)

  • Virgin of the Sea Fiestas (July)

  • Virgin of Los Angeles Day (August)

  • Christmas (December)

How & When to Experience Costa Rica

When you start planning your trip to Costa Rica, begin by considering whether you'd like to plan the trip yourself, or if you'll use the services and company of a guided trip with a tour operator. Hint: you won't go wrong with either one! There are so many things to do in Costa Rica, it can be difficult to narrow it down!

Guided Costa Rica Tours & Trips 

Guided trips are known for taking the stress and worry out of traveling. Instead of focusing on where to stay, safety concerns, or how you'll get from one destination to another, guided trips help you focus on what's really important during travel: seeing, experiencing, and learning as much as you can about your destination.

Your main responsibility is getting yourself to and from the airport on time, and beyond that, having as much fun as possible! Best Time to Visit Costa Rica on a Guided Tour If you opt for the guided experience, try traveling in March; it's toward the end of the dry season, when you'll be assured to have sunny days, warm weather, and lots of fun things to see in the water and in the parks.

And let's face it: for those of us that live in cold weather climates, the idea of a bathing suit and beach towel sound pretty great for this time of year! Due to spring break, March is traditionally a busy time of year for traveling within Costa Rica, but you can rest assured knowing that your guides will help you navigate the hustle and bustle.

It can be a very exciting time to be a visitor in Costa Rica, and reputable guides know the area, as well as the ebb and flow of the season, helping you have the best trip possible. Adventure Travel Companies Most tour companies will have many scheduled departures to choose from during this popular travel time.

Check out a few of our tips for choosing a travel operator to help you find the right travel partner for you.

Do-It-Yourself Costa Rica Vacations

If you are a do-it-yourselfer and you want to be able to play it a little more by ear, that's great too! February is a great time to go to Costa Rica if you are planning the trip on your own. It is in the middle of the dry season and is also in between the peak times of Easter/spring break and Christmas/New Years.

In February, you'll experience peak season weather without peak season rates and crowds. Waters are clear for snorkeling or diving and national parks are free for hiking and exploring.

Custom Costa Rica Vacations

Does February sound like the right time to travel, but you don't have time to manage all that goes into planning a vacation to see and do things in a place you have never been before? Customizing a trip is always an option and can allow you to have the perfect trip with minimal hassle.

However, and whenever, you choose to travel, you'll find countless places to visit in Costa Rica from pristine beaches to beautiful national parks. Have fun and travel safe, friends. Learn more about Austin Adventures Costa Rica vacation packages and start planning with experts today!

Explore Adventures in this Destination

Related Posts

Podcast: Kit Parks Talks to Michele Murray About Her Banff & Jasper Adventure

Kit Parks, from Active Travel Adventures, chats with Michele Murray…

Where to Watch the 2023 Solar Eclipse

 

On October 14th, 2023, North, Central and South America will…

Places to Visit in Costa Rica

From kayaking through the lagoons of the northern Caribbean Coast…

Things to do in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, you’ll experience pura vida, which is roughly “pure…

The Best Winter Family Vacations for Sun, Snow and the Holidays

 

How to Plan Your Winter Family Vacation for 2022 

Adventurous families…

The Best Time to Visit Maine

So you’re considering a visit to Maine—the popular U.S. coastal…

Best Time to Visit Death Valley

 

Visit During Other National Parks' Off-SeasonUnlike most National Parks, the…

Best Time To Visit Glacier National Park

Anyone who's been to Montana will tell you straight: Big…

Best Time To Visit Banff National Park

 

With unmatched panoramic views and magical vistas of jagged, winter…

Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon

 

The Grand Canyon is one of those must-see geological wonders…

Your Guide to Teen Trips

 Your Guide to Teen TripsTraveling with your children during their…

10 Best Places to Visit in Montana

 

Many of the best places to visit in Montana are…

Things to Do in Alaska in Summer, Spring, Winter and Fall

 

One of the biggest aspects of your next Alaskan trip…

7 Reasons Why You Should Take the Family to Costa Rica this Christmas

 

If you're looking for something fresh to do this holiday…

The Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef is one of Utah’s lesser-known natural wonders.

However,…

10 Fun Facts About National Parks

It's no secret that we, at Austin Adventures, love national…

The Best Time To Visit Arches National Park

 
Thinking about when to visit Arches National Park?
Utah holds a…

The Best Times to Visit Zion National Park and What to Do There

So, when is the best time to visit Zion National…

Top 10 Reasons to Get a Guide on Your Trip to Costa Rica

The Resplendent Quetzal is an elusive, near-threatened bird that often…

Go Climbing in Yosemite!

First off let me start by saying rock climbing is…

9 Best Places for Your Yellowstone Photography

 

Yellowstone Photography GuideOur world’s first national park—perhaps best known for…

The 15 Best National Parks to Visit in the U.S.

The Best National Parks to Visit
Out of the 63 national…

9 Fun Facts About Alaska

 

Alaska. The Great Land. The Last Frontier. The Land of…

10 Tips for Choosing the Right Tour Operator

When it comes to your precious vacation time and dollars,…

Fun Facts About 3 Classic American National Parks

 1) Yellowstone National Park

There are fewer than 1,000 geysers in…

10 Fun Facts About Yellowstone National Park

 

Here at Austin Adventures, Yellowstone National Park is a place…

When is the Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park?

Hey adventurers! It’s Kasey Austin – the President of Operations…

The Differences Between Our Yellowstone, Wyoming, & Montana Vacations

One of the best parts about traveling with Austin Adventures,…

How to Explore the Canadian Rockies | Your Adventure Vacation to Canada

Mountains can take on different meanings for everyone—inspirations, challenges, something…

Bryce and Zion National Park Hikes - Trails

This Austin Adventures blog post was written by one of…

Cycling Yellowstone to the Tetons

To help you get inspired to bike it up this…

Top Three Favorite Adventure Activities When Visiting Yellowstone Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of those destinations that every…

Top 5 National Parks (that are NOT in the U.S.)

 

Nearly 100 countries -the U.S. included -have lands classified as…

Five Types of Geothermal Features You'll Find Visiting Yellowstone National Park

There are rare Geothermal Features and pools in the Yellowstone…

10 Ridiculously Cool Things You Didn't Know About Death Valley

It's always been a hot destination, so we couldn't be…

Top Five Experiences in Yellowstone National Park

By Austin Guide: Bryan Codi

I have been fortunate enough to guide for…

Driving the Alaska Highway & Driving to Alaska

 

Driving the Alaska Highway…The Ultimate Road Trip to begin your…

7 Last-Minute Travel Ideas and Tips

 

So you've got some unexpected time off on the horizon?Or…

Why Alaska is one of our Favorite Adventures

Why Alaska is one of our Favorite AdventuresAlaska, the name…

San Juan Islands: The Best Kept Secret in Washington

 

The Space Needle is great, not to mention the dripping…

Spinning Wheels in Grand Teton National Park

Spinning Wheels in Grand Teton National Parkby Rob Hartsig

Of all…

8 Of The Best National Park Vacations

Did You Know?You can visit a different national site each…

8 May-cations You Don't Want to Miss

When most people think of traveling during May, they think…

Tips for Photographing the Southwest United States

Before I get started, I want to introduce myself -…

Six Things You Might Not Know About South Dakota

South Dakota doesn't quite have the pole position on most…

An Austin Adventures Extension By Sheri Saari

At the end of the Austin Adventures guiding season, people…

Top Ten Awesome Things About Alberta

1. Alberta, known for its majestic Canadian Rockies, contains five national…

From Guest to Guide by Zach Kellman

As a stubborn teenager, being with my family on vacation…

Give Me 5 Minutes -- And I'll Show You An Unbelievable Arizona Bike Tour

Immersed in sun and sceneryAs we roll in the New…

Can You Tell the Difference Between a Black Bear and a Grizzly Bear?

As a guide in Yellowstone National Park, it's very important…

Angel's Landing

If you're looking for a thrilling hike with amazing views…

Things to do in Bozeman, Montana

 

On all the Austin trips that I have led, I…

Things to do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Today, I want to talk about one of my favorite…

3 Places to Visit in Southwest Utah

Considering a Southwest Adventure?Seek out nature's playground of red rock…

Need an End of Summer Trip? Explore the Secrets of South Dakota!

As the end of summer is quickly approaching, what better…

South Dakota - History of the Old West

Who doesn't just love a good story of pioneer grit…

Arches National Park

 

There is just something about the desert for me.

It's harsh,…

Top 5 Reasons to Visit South Dakota

Visit South Dakota!Kasey here, Field Operations Liaison/Guide for Austin Adventures.

As…

Go Big Sky with Our Montana Vacations

Four World-Famous Parks in One Trip!Austin Adventures offers the most exciting…

Adventure Vacations for Couples at Havasupai Falls

Nothing can make you feel more alive than the rush…

Secret Paradise in the Grand Canyon, Havasupai Falls

The Grand Canyon is easily one of the most iconic…