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When is the Best Time to Travel to Costa Rica?

A lot of factors go into determining the ideal time to visit Costa Rica. Most people consider weather very important and even though they know they are headed to the rain forest they don't want to be inundated with downpours every day.

Fortunately there are several months every year where bone dry beach weather is almost guaranteed (especially on the beaches of Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula. Other factors like wildlife seasonal activity (turtle nesting, whale and quetzal migration etc.), cultural events like holidays and festivals, cost and crowds also play a big role in choices.

The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

Best time to visit Costa Rica graph

When Should You Go to Costa Rica? The most popular time for Costa Rica vacations is the holiday peak season around Christmas and New Years but the best time to visit may be a couple of weeks later after the crowds thin. The rains end in December but the forests remain lush into the new year … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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January in Costa Rica

Best time to travel in Costa Rica - January weather patterns

The last three weeks of January is one of the best times for a Costa Rica vacation.  New Years is also great from the perspective of weather but it's crowded and peak season surcharges make it one of the most expensive weeks of the year. All the best tours and activities are going full blast … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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February in Costa Rica

February weather patterns in Costa Rica

February might just be the best time there is for a Costa Rica vacation. The weather is hot and dry in the most beach popular destinations and it's when we discovered many of our "Best Trips Ever." Best Time to Travel? Select … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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March in Costa Rica

March rainfall and weather patterns in Costa Rica

Early March is definitely a good time for a Costa Rica vacation (see our favorite routes). The most popular destinations have hot dry weather and many hotels and lodges have some rooms available even a couple of weeks ahead. Later in March Spring Break travel may reduce availability and raise … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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April in Costa Rica

Select Month January February March April May June July August September October November December or see when to travel? Our favorite time to travel is when it's cold up north and many of our "Best Trips Ever" were in the first part of the year.  The tropical beaches are a sure cure … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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May in Costa Rica

Select Month January February March April May June July August September October November December or see when to go summary May can be fantastic.  The low season is kicking in, there are no crowds, prices are down and although the rains start in May it's usually nothing like the … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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June in Cost Rica – Best Time to Travel?

Select Month January February March April May June July August September October November December or see when should we go? If you want to get a head start on summer June is a great time to visit Costa Rica.  Popular destinations have shed their crowds and you can enjoy some of the … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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July in Costa Rica

July weather pattern map for Costa Rica

Best Time to Travel - Low Season? Select Month January February March April May June July August September October November December or see when to travel in Costa Rica Twenty years ago only insiders traveled to Costa Rica in July, but the secret is out so we've started … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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August in Costa Rica – The Best Time to Go

Map of rain and weather patterns for August in Costa Rica

Select Month January February March April May June July August September October November December or see best times to visit August is probably our personal favorite month for traveling around Costa Rica.  It's "winter" on the Tico calendar but a tropical beach fits perfectly into … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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September in Costa Rica – Best on the Caribbean

September rainfall and climate pattern map for Costa Rica

Select Month January February March April May June July August September October November December or see when to go summary You have to be a little choosy to find the best things to do in September and unless you know where to look the wildlife might be hidden away trying to escape … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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October in Costa Rica – Best Time for the Caribbean

October weather patterns map of Costa Rica

Select Month January February March April May June July August September October November December or see best time to visit Costa Rica The typical rainfall patterns are inverted this month some of the top itineraries to the Pacific resort areas get washed out.  It's the perfect time … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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November in Costa Rica – Could be Great

November climate map for Costa Rica

A good friend of ours is a Costa Rica wedding planner and when she scheduled her own beach ceremony for November we thought she was nuts.  Every bride wants everything perfect and she must have led a charmed life indeed because it turned out perfectly despite the fact that it's one of the most … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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December in Costa Rica – Best Time to Visit?

sitting on beach with santa hats

December starts out with lower prices and occupancy during the tail end of the rainy season. By Christmas the dry season is normally beginning and hotels are sold out at for Christmas and New Years. The trails, zip-lines and white-water rivers are flowing with tourists. If you're considering a … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Secrets of September & October

Double rainbow

Ask locals about the best time to visit Costa Rica.  They never choose the dry season months that are most popular with tourists. January through April have dry, hot, sunny weather every day on the Pacific beaches - but insiders prefer the secrets of the (not as wet as you think) rainy … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Costa Rica Holidays & Fiestas

Most of the festivals and fiestas that were cancelled during covid are returning in 2023. One of the most colorful and dramatic Costa Rican celebrations is the Festival of the Little Devils in February.  The Boruca put on masks representing devils and do stylized battle with the invading … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Covid Perfect Destination – Costa Rica

Banana Beach club Playa Santa Teresa

2020 was rough and a tropical getaway to Costa Rica is the perfect remedy. outdoor everything | low cases | low risk | modern medical | perfect weather | assistance | restrictions insurance | electronic health pass | where to test | planning/logistics assistance What Makes Costa Rica the … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Timing the Tides

high tide at noon

You cannot account for all the possible variables when choosing the best timing for a Costa Rica vacation - rainy vs. dry season, micro-climates, weekend beach traffic, school vacations (both in Costa Rica and at home), turtle nesting and hatching seasons, flight schedules and costs, and many more - … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Costa Rica Time Travel

When to Visit Costa Rica Time Machine

The time machine outputs your best Costa Rica trip in one of two ways... If you can travel any time - Input your priorities and the results will be the best time to visit and suggested destinations. If your vacation time is already determined  - Input when you plan to travel and what you want … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Best Time To Go To Costa Rica Quiz

The secret beach in Cabo Blanco

The best time to visit Costa Rica depends on a few main factors and the quick quiz below will help you determine your ideal dates. Answer the three questions below for yourself to determine when to come for a visit. 1) When can you go? If your work or school schedule forces certain dates … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Best Things To Do September, October & November

Driving through the cloud forest Volcan Barva

If you're going to Costa Rica in September or October the answer to the question "where's the best place to go?" is pretty obvious - head east to the southern Caribbean beaches. Select Month January February March April May June July August September October November December or … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit
  • The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
  • January in Costa Rica
  • February in Costa Rica
  • March in Costa Rica
  • April in Costa Rica
  • May in Costa Rica
  • June in Cost Rica – Best Time to Travel?
  • July in Costa Rica
  • August in Costa Rica – The Best Time to Go
  • September in Costa Rica – Best on the Caribbean
  • October in Costa Rica – Best Time for the Caribbean
  • November in Costa Rica – Could be Great
  • December in Costa Rica – Best Time to Visit?
  • Secrets of September & October
  • Costa Rica Holidays & Fiestas
  • Covid Perfect Destination – Costa Rica
  • Timing the Tides
  • Costa Rica Time Travel
  • Best Time To Go To Costa Rica Quiz
  • Best Things To Do September, October & November



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