The weather in Costa Rica ranges from rainy to sunny most of the time. Rainy season usually starts in March or April, with the heaviest rain in October.
Even in the rainy season, called the green seasons by the Costa Ricans, the daily rains last for an hour or two in the afternoon. This can be quite refreshing as it tends to cool off the country more hotter regions; the rest of the year is sunny and bright.
Late November through January - At the height of high season, we're getting blue skies with virtually no rain in sight.
The best time for Costa Rica travel depends on which attractions you want to focus on during your Costa Rican vacation.
For beach fun, the best time to travel to Costa Rica is December through May on the Pacific side; don't go to the Caribbean in October, which is often flooded then.
But for Costa Rica surfing and rafting, the best time to travel from March through November.
Attractions such as fishing is a year 'round activity. However, the best fishing for marlin and sailfish is December through March in Quepos and Manuel Antonio, and in Guanacaste the rest of the year; (Though October is very rainy.)
This is because the billfish migrate from Golfito (which is good from November through February) north to beach towns like Flamingo.
If you want to explore the volcanoes, avoid the peak rainy season (June-October). Too many clouds make it hard to see even an active volcano such as Arenal or Poas. This is true for scuba diving and snorkeling too, as the river run-off reduces visibility.
But for taking eco tours along nature trails and trips into the rainforest or cloud forest, rainy season should not slow you down.
For the most fiestas all around the country, January and February are the peak months
Book Early
Two times of the year that you want to either avoid or at least make reservations months in advance, are the week of Easter (called Semana Santa), and the last two weeks of December.
Christmas and Easter are major local holidays, so the beach resorts and even San Jose hotels will be crowded. But Christmas is the way to go if want to see the biggest carnavals, parades and fiestas; particulary in San Jose.
