Costa RicaPhoto: Shiva Shenoy from Flower Mound, United States · CC BY 2.0Costa Rica · North America
Best time to visit Costa Rica
Average daily maximum temperatures in Costa Rica are practically tied in March and April at around 36 °C.
Climate decision
Best travel months for Costa Rica
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Historical monthly averages, not a weather forecast. Individual days and years can differ substantially.
Latest 5-year values 2021–2025
Average of the five most recent complete years compared with the 1991–2025 climate average.
November · Monthly precipitation
396.8 mm/month
1991–2025: 162 mm/month
+234.8 mm/month · higher
April · Wet days
9.2 days/month
1991–2025: 5.1 days/month
+4.1 days/month · higher
December · Mean daily maximum
30.2 °C
1991–2025: 31 °C
-0.8 °C · lower
May · Sea temperature
29.7 °C
1991–2025: 29.2 °C
+0.5 °C · higher
April: 149/150 days at or above 30 °C; highest single value 38.9 °C.
Five-year historical sample, not a weather forecast or long-term climate trend. Individual hot days can be far above the monthly mean.
Annual profile · Rainfall rhythm
Costa Rica: rainfall separates the travel months
The driest and wettest months are 25.8 rainy days apart. Average daily highs vary by 6.8 °C, so both signals matter when choosing a month.
What matters
A warmer month is not automatically the most reliable. Read the drier windows alongside sunshine, sea temperature and the activity you have in mind.
Fewest rainy days
February · 0.5
Most rainy days
September · 26.3
Most sunshine
March · 8.1 h
Warmest sea
May · 29.2 °C
Month by month
Overall suitability per month. Tap a month for details.
All climate figures compared
The table is the complete accessible data view; the charts below highlight selected patterns.
| Month | Avg high °C | Avg low °C | Rainy days (est.) | Rain mm | Sun h/day (est.) | Humidity % | Wind m/s | Sea °C | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33 | 23 | 1 | 5 | 6.7 | 68 | 4.2 | 28 | 73 |
| February | 34 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 7.6 | 62 | 4.3 | 28 | 70 |
| March | 36 | 24 | 1 | 7 | 8.1 | 59 | 3.8 | 28 | 66 |
| April | 36 | 25 | 5 | 30 | 7.7 | 60 | 3.1 | 29 | 63 |
| May | 33 | 26 | 20 | 210 | 6.5 | 72 | 2.3 | 29 | 46 |
| June | 30 | 25 | 24 | 219 | 6.1 | 82 | 2.1 | 29 | 51 |
| July | 31 | 25 | 21 | 153 | 6.2 | 80 | 2.4 | 29 | 52 |
| August | 31 | 25 | 22 | 189 | 6.2 | 80 | 2.1 | 29 | 51 |
| September | 30 | 25 | 26 | 270 | 6.1 | 83 | 1.9 | 29 | 52 |
| October | 29 | 24 | 25 | 279 | 5.6 | 86 | 2.1 | 28 | 55 |
| November | 30 | 24 | 14 | 162 | 5.7 | 83 | 2.6 | 28 | 65 |
| December | 31 | 23 | 3 | 16 | 6.1 | 76 | 3.5 | 28 | 77 |
Climate through the year
Compare temperature, rainy days, sunshine and, for coastal destinations, sea temperature month by month.
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Where to stay in Costa Rica
Compare available stays, prices and cancellation terms for Costa Rica on Booking.com.
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The number is the overall climate score, not a similarity score.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
The strongest climate months are January, February, March, December. Values are historical averages, not a forecast.
Which month has the highest average daily maximum temperature in Costa Rica?
Average daily maximum temperatures in Costa Rica are practically tied in March and April at around 36 °C.
When is the sea warmest at Costa Rica?
In May, at around 29 °C.