When Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica? A Month-by-Month Guide for Guanacaste

Planning a trip to Costa Rica and trying to figure out the right time to go? You’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear from guests planning their stay at Skyfall Luxury Vacation Home, and the answer is more interesting than you might expect.

The short answer: the best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, from December through April. But the longer answer depends on what you’re after. Sunny beach days, active wildlife, a quieter villa experience, the best surf? Each season brings something different.

In this month-by-month guide, you’ll find:

• The difference between Costa Rica’s dry season and green season
• What to expect each month in Guanacaste and along the Pacific coast
• The best time to visit Costa Rica for wildlife
• How the weather varies across Costa Rica’s different regions
• When to stay at Skyfall for the experience you’re dreaming of

Let’s find your perfect window.

Planning a stay in Guanacaste? Skyfall Luxury Vacation Home is open year-round, with panoramic Pacific views, over 4,000 sq ft of indoor/outdoor living space, and full concierge planning.

What Are the Two Main Seasons in Costa Rica?

Understanding the seasons in Costa Rica is the first step in planning your trip. Costa Rica runs on two distinct seasons — the dry season (called verano, or summer) and the green season (the rainy season, or invierno). Knowing the difference between Costa Rica’s dry season and green season shapes everything: the weather, the wildlife, the crowd levels, and the price of your villa.

Dry Season (Dec–Apr)	Green Season (May–Nov)
Weather	Sunny, minimal rain, 75–95°F (24–35°C)	Warm mornings, afternoon showers, 75–80°F (24–27°C)
Crowds	High season — peak Dec–Jan and Easter	Low to moderate (Jul–Aug rising)
Prices	Higher — book 3+ months ahead	Lower — excellent villa availability
Wildlife	Excellent — animals gather near water sources	Peak — lush rainforest, sea turtle nesting
Surf	Calm Pacific — ideal for snorkeling and diving	Larger swells — best surfing conditions
Best for	Beaches, families, first-time visitors	Nature lovers, photographers, couples

Average humidity across Costa Rica stays between 70–80% year-round, and the country enjoys around 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. In Guanacaste specifically, home to Playas del Coco and Skyfall Luxury Vacation Home, the dry season is the driest in all of Costa Rica, making it a top choice for beach-focused travel.

It’s also worth noting that the best time to travel to Costa Rica depends heavily on where you’re going within the country. Costa Rica boasts several distinct microclimates — what’s raining on the Caribbean coast can be perfectly sunny along the Pacific coast on the same day.

What Is Costa Rica’s Weather Like Month by Month?

This month-by-month guide focuses on Guanacaste and Costa Rica’s Pacific coast since conditions vary across the country’s different zones.

December: Is December a Good Time to Visit Costa Rica?

December kicks off Costa Rica’s dry season and is one of the most festive months of the year. The second half of the month is when the real magic happens — clear skies, local fiestas, and holiday energy fill the air from Playas del Coco to San José. Average highs reach 88°F (31°C) in Guanacaste. This is peak travel season, so expect higher prices and full villas around Christmas and New Year’s —book a stay at Skyfall Luxury Vacation Home at least 3–4 months ahead for holiday stays. Wildlife highlights include humpback whales off the Pacific coast and sea turtle nesting along the Caribbean coast.

January & February: Is January or February the Best Month to Visit Costa Rica?

January and February sit at the heart of Costa Rica’s dry season and are considered among the best months to visit Costa Rica for guaranteed sunny weather. The northern Pacific, including Guanacaste, is bone dry, with almost no rainfall on the Pacific coast. The early weeks of January still carry holiday premiums; mid-January onward is one of the best-value windows in the dry season.

February is a wildlife watcher’s dream. Humpback whales migrate through Pacific waters, leatherback sea turtles begin nesting along the Pacific coast, and thousands of migratory birds arrive from North America. The Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste region are particularly active for sea turtle sightings. It’s also a great time for snorkeling and diving — visibility in Guanacaste’s waters is at its clearest during these months.

March & April: When Is the Heart of Costa Rica’s Dry Season?

March and April complete the dry season on the Pacific side. March is one of the driest months of the year along the Caribbean coast, too, making it excellent for travel across the country. Costa Rica’s national flower — the vivid purple Guaria morada orchid — blooms throughout the Central Valley in March, and leatherback sea turtles are active on both coasts.

April is historically the warmest month in Costa Rica, with highs approaching 95°F (35°C) on the Pacific coast. It’s also the last month of dry season, though Guanacaste can stay dry a few weeks into May. Semana Santa (Holy Week) falls in April most years and brings a significant surge in domestic travel — plan your travel dates around it and book well in advance.

May & June: What Is It Like Traveling in Costa Rica During Green Season?

May marks the start of Costa Rica’s green season, and it’s a more beautiful transition than most people expect. This is one of the ideal times to visit Costa Rica for travelers who want lush landscapes without the dry-season crowds. Mornings along the Pacific coast are typically clear and sunny; rain arrives in the afternoon and usually passes within an hour or two.The start of Costa Rica’s green season brings waterfalls to life, turns rainforests electric green, and signals peak activity for many wildlife species. Hotel prices and villa rates drop noticeably. Leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles are active along both coasts, and it’s also a great time to visit for whale-watching beginners — southern humpback whales arrive near Dominical. June sees a small uptick in visitors as school holidays begin in the US and Europe, but it’s still comfortably below peak-season crowds, making it an ideal time for couples seeking privacy and quiet beaches.

July & August: Is Summer a Good Time to Visit Costa Rica?

July and August are increasingly popular, and one of Costa Rica’s best-kept travel secrets. Locals call the July weather break veranillo (“little summer”), a sunny pocket that interrupts the green season with several weeks of drier, beautiful weather, especially along the Pacific coast. Exact timing varies by year but typically runs through mid-August.

Costa Rica in July and August is ideal for families traveling during summer school holidays. Wildlife is at its most active: Antarctic humpback whales, green sea turtles nesting in Tortuguero National Park, loggerhead turtles on the Caribbean coast, and hawksbill and olive ridley turtles along the Pacific. Surfing conditions are excellent at this time — the swells increase on Costa Rica’s best surfing beaches, making July and August a favorite for surfers. Some hotels raise prices slightly during these months, but rates are still well below the December–April peak.

September & October: What Is the Rainiest Time of Year in Costa Rica?

September and October are the peak of Costa Rica’s rainy season on the Pacific side, and travel advisors generally consider this the most challenging window for Pacific coast visitors — extended rain is possible, and some roads in remote areas can become difficult. That said, Playa del Coco and Guanacaste sit in a drier microclimate compared to most of the Pacific, and many guests have excellent stays.

Here’s the surprise: Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast has the opposite pattern. September and October are actually relatively sunny and dry along the Caribbean coast, making it a great time to visit Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, and the Caribbean side in general. It’s also the best time to see green sea turtles nesting in Tortuguero National Park. Prices are at their lowest across the country, and wildlife photographers love this season for its dramatic rainforest light and active animal behavior.

November: Is November a Good Time to Visit Costa Rica Before Peak Season?

November is a transition month and one of the most underrated times to visit. Costa Rica’s rainy season begins to ease in November — forests are still brilliantly green and alive, but the heavy afternoon rains become shorter and less frequent. This is also a great time to visit before the holiday crowds arrive in December, with shoulder-season pricing and quiet beaches all to yourself.Wildlife highlights include hawksbill, leatherback, green, and olive ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast. The end of November marks the start of Costa Rica’s busy season as the dry season approaches.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Wildlife?

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, home to nearly 5% of all species on the planet despite covering just 0.03% of its surface area. One of Costa Rica’s greatest strengths is that the wildlife is excellent year-round, but timing your visit around specific species makes the experience extraordinary.

• Humpback whales: December–April (North Pacific/Alaska population) and July–October (Antarctic/South Pacific population) — one of the longest whale-watching windows in the world
• Sea turtle nesting along the Pacific coast: Leatherback turtles peak from February to October; olive ridley and hawksbill turtles are active from March to November; Guanacaste and Nicoya Peninsula are prime nesting zones
• Turtles nesting on the Caribbean coast: Green sea turtles in Tortuguero peak from July to October; it’s also a great time to see green sea turtles and leatherbacks in March on the Caribbean side
• Migratory birds: November–March, when hundreds of species arrive from North America — birdwatching in the Central Valley and cloud forests peaks in these months
• Monkeys and sloths: Year-round in Guanacaste; mornings are most active year-round
• Scarlet macaws: Year-round in the Osa Peninsula; the dry season gives the best sightings with less foliage cover
• Surfing season: Swells increase along the Pacific coast from May onward — July and August are peak months for the best surfing conditions

For the best overall wildlife experience, the shoulder green season — May to June, and October to November — offers the ideal balance. Fewer visitors on trails means longer, quieter wildlife encounters, and the lush post-dry-season landscape makes animals easier to spot against the vivid green backdrop.

When Is the Best Time to Stay at Skyfall Luxury Vacation Home in Guanacaste?

At Skyfall Luxury Vacation Home in Playas del Coco, every season offers something memorable. Here’s how each period suits different types of guests:

• December–April (Dry Season / High Season): The most popular time for a Costa Rica vacation. Ideal for groups wanting guaranteed sunshine, long beach days, snorkeling, and sunset cruises along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Book early, especially for Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter weeks. Our concierge team can arrange everything from activities across Costa Rica to sport fishing and private chef experiences. It’s also a great time for families making the trip during school holidays.
• May–June (Early Green Season): One of the most peaceful and beautiful times to visit. Mornings are clear, afternoons bring soft tropical rain that clears quickly, and the landscape turns intensely green. Fewer crowds mean more space, more availability, and more of our villa’s panoramic views for yourself. Making it an ideal time for couples.
• July–August (Veranillo / Little Summer): Family vacation peak and one of Costa Rica’s most underrated travel windows. Veranillo sunshine, active wildlife, strong surf conditions, and comfortable temperatures make this one of the most enjoyable times to visit. It’s a good time of year to book your stay without the full peak-season premiums.
• September–November (Quiet Season): Best availability, most serene atmosphere, lowest rates. Guanacaste’s microclimate means fewer rainy days than the rest of the Pacific coast. Perfect for guests who want complete seclusion, and it’s also a great time to visit for wildlife spotting in Tortuguero and along the Pacific.

Before you pack, check our guide: What to Pack for Costa Rica — covering essentials for both dry and green season visits so you arrive fully prepared.

Ready to Plan Your Costa Rica Vacation?

No matter when you go to Costa Rica, Guanacaste delivers — and Skyfall Luxury Vacation Home is the perfect home base for all of it. With panoramic Pacific Ocean views, a private infinity pool, and space for up to 10 guests, our villa makes every season feel like the right one. Our concierge team handles everything from airport transfers to private chef bookings, so you can focus on the experience.

Check availability and book your stay today.