Costa Rica Climate

Seasons

Like many tropical countries, Costa Rica experiences two seasons, the wet and the dry, rather than the four seasons temperate regions are used to.

The Dry Season

The dry season is generally from about late December to April and this is called verano (or summer) by Costa Ricans

The Wet Season

The rest of the year (May to late November or early December) tends to be wet, and is called invierno (or winter). The Caribbean coastal region tends to be wet all year round. In the highlands, the dry season really is dry, with only one or two rainy days per month. It can, however, rain up to 20 days per month in the wet season. The north and central Pacific coastal regions have similar rain patterns to the highlands, whilst the southern Pacific coast can experience rain year round, though less so in the dry season.

Temperatures

Temperature varies little from season to season and the main influencing factor is altitude. San José, at 1550 meters, has a climate which the locals refer to as the ‘eternal spring'. Lows average a mild 15 C year round whilst highs are a pleasant 26 C. The coasts are much hotter with the Caribbean averaging 21 C at night and over 30 C during the day; the Pacific is 2 C or 3 C warmer. People accustomed to a more temperate climate can find the high heat and humidity of the coastal areas oppressive- but most adjust to the conditions after a few days.