When to Go

Best time to visit Costa Rica

When to go to Costa Rica: the months that balance weather, crowds and price, plus what each season actually feels like.

5 min read · Updated 2026-08-01

December, January, February, March, April are the strongest months in Costa Rica. Tropical with strong regional variation: Pacific dry season roughly Dec–Apr and green season May–Nov; the Caribbean has no simple dry season, with relatively drier spells around Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct

Season by season

How the year breaks down for trip planning.

Pacific dry season (Dec–Apr) — Sunniest Pacific weather and the busiest travel window.
Green season (May–Nov) — Rainier on the Pacific side, lusher landscapes and generally lower prices.
Caribbean drier spells (Feb–Mar, Sep–Oct) — The Caribbean coast runs on its own pattern and is often better when the Pacific is wettest.

Best value window

Green season (May–Nov) usually gives the best balance: rainier on the pacific side, lusher landscapes and generally lower prices. Shifting a trip two or three weeks either side of peak is normally the single biggest saving available.