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Costa Rica Weather

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Before you visit Costa Rica, there is a good chance you will want to acquaint yourself with the weather patterns, seasons, and average annual temperatures of this tropical country.

Costa Rica has a tropical climate, but the country’s diverse landscapes — from volcanoes and mountain ranges to beaches and rainforests — result in unique microclimates across the country. Some regions are rainy and humid, others are warm and dry, and some are even cool and crisp.

If you want to ensure you plan your visit to Costa Rica at the optimal time, keep reading to understand the nuances of the country’s weather and climate!

This is the actual current 7 day forecast for the weather in Playa Flamingo – updated in real-time.  Special Places of Costa Rica works hard to make sure you have current weather data available.  According, we have included a few charts and graphs detailing average temperature, rainfall, hours of sunshine and so forth.  Finally, we will discuss what to expect from the weather in Playa Flamingo with respect to each season, month by month.

Weather Forecast – Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
Costa Rica Weather & Climate

Costa Rica has a tropical climate with two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.

Generally, the dry season lasts from December to April, and the rainy season lasts from May to November. However, the seasons can vary slightly from the country’s northern and southern regions and the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. We will explain the month-by-month differences between these tropical seasons and regions in this article.

Costa Rica Weather Forecast & Trends

This chart shows the average annual precipitation by month in Costa Rica over a 20–30 year period

This chart illustrates the average total monthly hours of sunshine in Costa Rica over a 20-30 year period.
Finally, we have a chart showing the average maximum temperature and average minimum temperature in Costa Rica over a 20-30 year period.
Here is another look at Costa Rica’s weather, including average temperatures, precipitation, days with rainfall, and humidity, all in one chart.
Beach Town

Costa Rica Weather by Month

Let’s take a look at the weather conditions you can generally expect during each month in Costa Rica.

January Weather
Dry Season

The beginning of January is a peak travel season in Costa Rica, as crowds from the Christmas and New Year holidays linger. It is also the dry season in Costa Rica when clear skies accommodate travelers. The beginning months of the dry season are particularly appealing as the landscape is still verdant from the recent green season, despite reduced rainfall.

Wildlife watching: Alaska/California humpback whales; hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

February and March Weather
Dry Season

February and March are still part of the dry season, and the weather remains fantastic. There is generally a spike in tourist traffic over Easter and the week leading up to it. Plan ahead for travel over Presidents’ Day weekend, Spring Break, and Easter. Hotel and vacation rental availability is limited over these popular travel dates, and some hotels and rentals increase rates over peak travel dates. Book early.

Wildlife watching: Alaska/California humpback whales; leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast in March; hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

Related Article: Costa Rica Spring Break Survival Guide

Book Your
Costa Rica Vacation
Ready to experience the beauty and adventure of Costa Rica? Book your vacation now and discover all that this stunning destination has to offer!
April Weather
Dry Season

April marks the last month of the dry weather in Costa Rica, although it can last a couple of weeks longer in the arid northwest region of Guanacaste. Travelers can still enjoy clear skies, although the vegetation, particularly on the North Pacific Coast, has lost some of its vibrant green sparkles after months of little rain.

April is also historically one of the hottest months of the year. If Holy Week falls in April, you can expect a spike in tourist traffic over the holiday across the entire country. Plus, there may still be spring break travelers, so you’ll want to book your vacation well in advance.

Wildlife watching: Leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

May Weather
Green Season

The start of the rainy season in May is a much-needed cool-off from the intense heat of the dry season. Temperatures begin to drop as the hotel prices and several tourists do too. May is a bit of a transition month, in which the rain picks up, but not quite at the rate of later rainy season months.

Wildlife watching: Leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast

June Weather
Green Season

The rain brings out the best in Costa Rica’s flora. In June, you’ll see a small surge in tourists as the kids get let out of school and family vacations start. Everything begins to look much greener as the wetter weather in Playa Flamingo during June brings the rainforest to life.

Wildlife watching: Loggerhead, green, leatherback, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast.

July and August Weather
Green Season

It’s the rainy season in Costa Rica, but a brief pocket of sunshine breaks up the rain in mid-July in what locals call veranillo, or little summer. Exact little summer days and duration vary from year to year and may even continue into the start of August, but they are marked by an intensification of the trade winds.

Afternoons are rainy, with typically clear mornings (perfect for morning tours). The weather is generally good, and hotel prices are low. July and August are popular travel times due to less rain, family summer vacations, and active rainy season wildlife. Some hotels increase their prices in these months.

Wildlife watching:  Antarctic humpback whales; loggerhead, green, leatherback, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific side.

September and October Weather
Green Season

September and October are the peak of the rainy season on the Pacific Coast, but don’t let the heavier rainfall keep you away. Your opportunities for spotting wildlife are best in the green season. Surfing and rafting are fantastic. Hotel availability, prices, and service are at their best. Plus, there are fewer tourists. You may even find you have the beach all to yourself.

On the typically rainy southern Caribbean Coast, the rain lightens up in September and October, making it a great time to visit. Talk with a Costa Rica expert about the best destinations to visit during this time of year.

Wildlife watching: Antarctic humpback whales; green, & hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, & olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific side.
Related Article10 Costa Rica Rainy Season Travel Perks

November Weather
Green Season

Mid-November marks the start of Costa Rica’s busy season, as holidays and cold weather are a great excuse to escape. November is a bit of a bridge month when the rainy season has slowed down, and the crowds begin to trickle in.

Wildlife watching: Hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles near the Pacific Ocean.

December Weather
Dry Season

The beginning of December is less crowded, with typically clear skies. We enter peak season for travel in mid-December around the holidays. There is less rain, which means more uninterrupted pool time. With that, hotel prices rise.

We advise booking your holiday vacations well in advance to reserve the best rentals and take advantage of any early bird specials. Many travelers from cold countries in the Northern Hemisphere will be flocking to Costa Rica for a warm, sunny holiday.

Wildlife watching: Alaska/California humpback whales; hawksbill, leatherback, green, & olive ridley sea turtles near the Pacific Ocean.

Book Your
Costa Rica Vacation
Ready to experience the beauty and adventure of Costa Rica? Book your vacation now and discover all that this stunning destination has to offer!
Location

Costa Rica Weather by Location

Central Valley

The Central Valley includes the country’s capital, San José, and its intermediate regions (Alajuela, Heredia & Cartago). The Central Valley experiences a typical tropical climate, with a humid, overcast rainy season and a warm, dry season.

Guanacaste & Nicoya Peninsula

Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula are filled with gorgeous, white-sand beaches, such as Playa Flamingo, Playa Tamarindo, and Playas del Coco. This region experiences the hottest, driest regions in Costa Rica. At the end of the dry season (from December to April) temperatures can reach 100°F.

The Northern Pacific Coast experiences the most rain during September and October. Due to the warm weather and sunshine, this region can sometimes experience an extended dry season that begins in November and ends in May.

La Fortuna

La Fortuna is the lush, tropical rainforest in Costa Rica filled with waterfalls, lakes, volcanoes, and hot springs near Arenal Volcano National Park.

The temperatures remain consistent between the dry season and rainy season (ranging from 75°F to 85°F). Like most of Costa Rica, the rainiest months in La Fortuna are May, June, September, and October.

Caribbean Coast

When visiting Costa Rica, it is important to remember that the Caribbean Coast experiences different weather patterns from the rest of the country.

Unlike other regions in Costa Rica with a distinct dry season and rainy season, the entire Caribbean Coast experiences frequent rain and hot, humid weather. The driest months on the Caribbean Coast are February, March, September, and October.

So, if you are planning a trip to Costa Rica in September or October and want to avoid as much rain as possible — head to the Caribbean Coast!

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park and Jaco, the nearby beach town, are located along the Central Pacific Coast and are popular spots for vacationers.

This region embodies a typical tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 75°F to 85°F year-round, but experiences an increase in wet afternoons during the rainy season from September to November.

Osa Peninsula

The Osa Peninsula is located in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica and is home to Corcovado National Park, Drake Bay, and other popular tourist attractions.

The dry season is similar to the Central Pacific Coast, but during the rainy season, expect heavy rains that begin in the early afternoon and last through the night. If you are planning to visit the South Pacific in September, October, and November — bring a rain jacket!

Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve

Monteverde is much higher in elevation than other regions of Costa Rica, so unlike the sticky humidity in other locations, like the beaches and rainforests, you will experience clear, crisp, fresh mountain air. It tends to be cooler in Monteverde than in different regions of Costa Rica.

Monteverde still experiences its fair share of rain. If you want to avoid the rain, plan your trip in March or April — but beware that light showers during the dry season are common. During the rainy season, it usually starts raining in the late morning or early afternoon.

Best Weather

Enjoy the Best Costa Rica Weather During Your Trip to Costa Rica

Whether you are planning a hot, dry vacation to the Guanacaste Province from December to April or want to escape the crowds and high prices by traveling during the green season — we hope this guide helps you find the perfect time to travel to Costa Rica.Special Places of Costa Rica would love to welcome you to the beautiful beaches of Guanacaste — including Playa Flamingo and Playas del Coco — during your trip to Costa Rica. Explore our beachfront homes, condos, villas, and other accommodations to find the perfect place to stay for your trip!

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