The Worst Times To Visit Costa Rica, Why & When To Go Instead
From the rainy season to avoiding crowds, let us tell you all the worst times to visit Costa Rica, as well as the best!
When we visited we did not pay much attention to the best or worst time to visit Costa Rica. We were on a 10-month backpacking trip in Central and South America without a set plan. So when we reached Costa Rica, we were happy to learn it was one of the best times of year in the country.
That made me think: what makes a good or bad time to visit? It depends on your reason for visiting! Are you out to see wildlife? Or do you just want to sunbathe?
I spoke to some locals on our visit and quickly learnt that the best time to visit according to them is not always the same. Let’s discuss the worst times to visit Costa Rica and why.
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What Are The Main Seasons In Costa Rica?
There are two seasons in Costa Rica. The rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season is sometimes referred to by locals as the “green season”. You might be wondering, is it even worth visiting in the rainy season? But both seasons have their pros and cons, so let’s discuss them in detail!
Rainy season
The rainy season, which is from May to November, is not as bad as it sounds. It is, in my opinion at least, not necessarily the worst time to visit Costa Rica. As I said, it all depends on your reason for visiting this beautiful country.
Rainy season means the rainforests and jungles become even more green, more vibrant, and more active. Wildlife thrives under the fresh new leaves, which creates an abundance of food. If you’re out to spot sloths or other creatures, the rainy season could be for you.
But let’s discuss the actual rain as well. I can imagine the rainy season sounds daunting. But don’t fear shivering in the cold while out adventuring. Normally, the rain is later in the day, and while there can be quite heavy showers, they only last for a couple of hours.
The mornings are sunny and great for exploring or visiting the beach. And let’s be honest, after visiting somewhere incredible like Corcovado National Park, you could do with a nap in the afternoon before dinner.
Dry season
When we visited, we didn’t check what would be the worst time. We just went. Now, we were travelling from Mexico to Chile, so Costa Rica was on the way. And since we tried to fly as little as possible, we just had to go to Costa Rica. A shame, right?
Costa Rica had always been on our bucket list. So when we realised we were there in the dry season, we were glad. It is from December to April, and while it’s dry, there is always a chance of rain. Costa Rica has many micro-climates. This means that when we travelled from Liberia to the picturesque Monteverde, we went from hot and sunny to cool and cloudy. All in a 2-hour drive.
Generally speaking, the dry season is dry and sunny. This could mean it’s one of the worst times to visit Costa Rica if you struggle with heat. Or the best if you love the good old sun.
While I mentioned that wildlife is most active in the rainy season, it doesn’t mean you won’t see any in the dry season. I even dare say you’re about 99.99% guaranteed to see monkeys, sloths, and beautiful birds.
The Worst Times To Visit Costa Rica – Breakdown
I’ve mentioned a few times that the best or worst times to visit Costa Rica depend on your reason for visiting. Let’s break down the different reasons and when not to visit for them. And when to go instead.
Worst times to visit Costa Rica if you are travelling for good weather and beaches
The main reason many people go on holiday. Sunshine, beaches, and cocktails!
The worst time to visit Costa Rica if you love the above is in the rainy season which is May to November. This is when you can expect heavy rainfall in the afternoons, with oppressive heat and humidity in March and April. A combination that is not for everyone.
The northern Pacific coast is really hot that time of year, and paired with the moisture of the rain, it can cause trouble for some travellers.
If you just love to go this time of year due to holidays or other reasons, you’re still in luck. The southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica has great weather all year round. Which means it should be a must-visit on your Costa Rica itinerary.
If this is not for you, then consider visiting between December and April instead.
Worst times to visit Costa Rica if you are travelling for wildlife spotting
You have a high chance of spotting wildlife in Costa Rica year-round. But the dry season is one of the worst times to visit Costa Rica if that’s what you’re all about. Not saying you won’t see any, because you definitely will, just less.
Interestingly enough, if you’re a bird enthusiast and are travelling for birdwatching, the dry season is for you. This is the best time to spot both native and migratory species.
If you’re up for whale-watching, you’re in luck. The northern humpback whales are in the area between December and April, the dry season. But if you visit between July to November, you get a chance to see southern humpbacks on the Pacific side of the country. That makes April and May the worst times to visit Costa Rica for whale watching.
Who loves to see baby turtles? If you do, don’t visit between January and March. The turtle hatching season is long, but not year-round.
If you’re a wildlife lover like us, consider visiting Costa Rica in the wet season. All the on-land animals are much more active, and you’ll have higher chances of seeing as much as you’d like. Unless you’re coming for bird watching. Then the dry season is for you.
Worst times to visit Costa Rica if you are travelling for surfing
Surfing is incredibly popular in Costa Rica with the prime surfing time being from May to November. The wet season again! So if you’re keen to jump on your board and tame those waves, don’t go between December and March.
The best time to go surfing in Costa Rica is July to October, with swells of 4 to 5 feet.
Worst times to visit Costa Rica if you are travelling to avoid the crowds
There is nothing worse than having to queue up to see a good view. Or not being able to go into a national park because it’s sold out. When a tour you would’ve loved to take is fully booked, you might think to yourself: is this one of the worst times to visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a very popular destination. Most tourists visit between December and April, in the dry season. This makes sense when it’s chilly at home and Costa Rica is so sunny and warm. But if you’d like to avoid these crowds (they get big, trust me), you’re better off travelling some other time.
Instead, head over in September or October, when the fewest people visit. Now, it has some pros and cons.
It’s a lot quieter everywhere, and the prices for tours and accommodation drop. The whole country is blooming, and wildlife on land is a lot more active. But some tours won’t be running. And you might not be able to visit everything you’d like due to road and weather conditions.
Worst times to visit Costa Rica if you are travelling on a budget
We were on a budget when we visited Costa Rica. We didn’t have to fly there, as we were already in the south of Nicaragua, but we still found it to be a little pricey.
Speaking of Nicaragua, we compare it with Costa Rica in this post!
Flights, hotels, and even some tours are most expensive during the high season, which coincides with the dry season. December to April sees the most tourists, and thus the highest demand. Prices rise because stuff will sell out anyway.
If you’re travelling on a budget, there are some things you can do to lower the costs. But even though Costa Rica has some of the best hostels, they come at a price in the high season.
September and October see lower prices. These are the quietest months with the lowest demand. So if you’re keen to visit but don’t want to spend all your savings, consider these months instead.
Worst times to visit Costa Rica if you plan on hiking & adventure activities
Costa Rica is the absolute best destination for adventure. From ziplining through an ancient rainforest in Monteverde to amazing hikes up volcanoes, the possibilities are endless in Costa Rica.
The worst times to visit Costa Rica for these adventures in during months of the rainy season. Outdoor activities can be limited due to road conditions and flooding.
Hiking in the heat can be a dangerous activity, especially when unprepared.
If you’re up for some scuba diving, the dry season has the best conditions.
The dry season has the best conditions for adventure activities. But, especially when hiking or exercising in any other way, come prepared. Sun hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water should be taken at all times.
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Worst Times To Visit Costa Rica & Getting Around The Country
Getting around Costa Rica is quite easy. There is a network of buses, but many people opt to rent a car instead.
Best and worst times to rent a car in Costa Rica
In the rainy season, the roads can get very, very bad. Driving to Drake’s Bay is not an option during that time, since a river forms on the road. More potholes mean more dangerous driving conditions, and since some roads are gravel or sand, you can get stuck if you don’t have a 4×4.
That being said, it is the best way to get around Costa Rica in both the rainy and the dry season. Most visitors rent cars, and I recommend using Discover Cars to find the best rental deals.
Disclaimer: There are some scams with cheap car rentals in Costa Rica. I recommend going to the large, well-known companies for your rental car. (Alamo, National, Enterprise, Hertz, etc.)
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Using Public Transport
The option we have used a bunch of times while in Costa Rica to get around is public transport. It’s all relatively straightforward, and we use Centrocoasting to get information on bus routes and times.
Buses run often but are not known to be very punctual. They are safe to take, and it’s free to take your baggage.
Tourist shuttles
We had to use tourist shuttles a few times due to time restrictions. They are reliable, but on the more expensive side, especially compared to public transport. They are incredibly convenient, however! I recommend using Easyride Costa Rica since we have had great experiences with them.
Places To Visit In Costa Rica
There are many great places to visit in Costa Rica. Let’s discuss some!
San José
From December to March are some of the worst times to visit San José in Costa Rica. Due to the heat and crowdedness, it’s generally not a pleasant experience. Luckily, San José is usually just a stopover to visit the more beautiful areas of Costa Rica
The best times to visit San José are the months of April, May, September, and October. In these months the weather is most pleasant, and hotels have the best prices.
Tamarindo
The worst time to visit Tamarindo is during the rainy season when it’s as hot as the dry season, but a lot more humid.
That makes the best time to visit Tamarindo during the dry season, with beautiful blue skies and enough sunshine to last you a lifetime.
Manuel Antonio
The best and worst times to visit Manuel Antonio coincide with the dry and rainy season. Since it’s a national park, the rainy season gives more chances to see wildlife, and the dry season has amazing weather. No worries, if you’re visiting in the dry season, you will see wildlife as well.
Monteverde
While the temperatures are consistent, and with a near-consistent humidity level of 100%, the thing that decides the worst time to visit is the rainfall, which is most from May till November.
That makes the best time to visit Monteverde from December to April!
Drake’s Bay
The main reason to visit Drake’s Bay in Costa Rica is Corcovado National Park. Wildlife spotting is the worst in the dry season, which is from mid-December to mid-April.
This means the best time to visit will be May to November. however, there is so much wildlife in the area, that you are guaranteed to see plenty. So why not visit when it’s nice and sunny?
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
The worst time to visit Puerto Viejo is unpredictable due to the climate. But the locals often say, if it’s rainy in the rest of Costa Rica, it’s time to head to the Caribbean side!
The best time to visit Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is February to April and August to October.
It’s a great last spot in Costa Rica if you’re, like us, heading to Bocas Del Toro next.
Worst Times To Visit Costa Rica FAQs
I’ve discussed a lot already! But let’s answer some frequently asked questions, even if they are slightly off-topic.
What is the best month to go to Costa Rica?
Generally speaking, any month between December and April is the best month to travel. It’s the dry season with great weather!
What is the worst month to go to Costa Rica?
The worst month to go to Costa Rica is September or April. While still being great, they are the quietest which means not everything is open, and the rainiest.
Do you need travel insurance for Costa Rica?
While it’s not mandatory to have travel insurance, it’s always HIGHLY recommended while travelling abroad.
We recommend SafetyWing, as it’s one of the best travel insurance providers around!
What is the rainiest month in Costa Rica?
The rainiest months in Costa Rica are September and October. But, this is also when wildlife is most active!
Is the rainy season in Costa Rica bad?
The rainy season is not all in all bad. While you get a couple of hours of rain each day, there is a reason locals refer to it as the “green season”. Nature is thriving, and wildlife is most active!
What is storm season in Costa Rica?
Luckily, Costa Rica is under the hurricane belt. This means there is no hurricane season in Costa Rica.
Worst Times To Visit Costa Rica – Final Thoughts
Alright! That’s all folks. Costa Rica is an amazing destination all year round depending on your reason for travelling there. Its beautiful nature has got some tricks up its sleeve for every adventure seeker.
Deciding the worst times to visit Costa Rica is not an easy one because like Johan Cruyff once said: every disadvantage has its advantage.
