Seasons of the Year Seasons in Costa Rica
The country bears subequatorial climate. However features of relief and global location on narrow isthmus between both Americas and two oceans create significant variety of weather conditions. There are no traditional seasons. A year is divided into rainy and dry seasons.
Caribbean coasts have abundant annual precipitation driven by north-eastern trade-winds. In some places its’ amount reaches 3000 mm (118”) per year. Most of the time there is hot and rainy weather. Central flatlands are drier with average temperature of January about 23 °C (73 °F) and at July weather usually warms up to 25 °C (77 °F). Pacific coasts and western slopes of the mountains are drier with four months of dry winter season.
Seasons
Contents:
March-May in Costa Rica
Spring in the country is relatively dry and warm. Average daytime temperature of this season is about 28 °C (82 °F). At night it drops to about 20 °C (68 °F). At May rainy season comes to the country however range of temperatures remains comfortable. Moreover nights become warmer by couple of degrees.
Caribbean coasts have warmer and wetter weather. Range of average temperatures here is higher by several degrees. At March at April precipitation is few and at May its amount raises in whole territory of the country. Water of oceans is warm through whole season starting at 24 °C at March and up to 27 °C at May.
Climate from March to May
| March Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (60 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 16 mm (0.6") |
| April Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +17 °C (62 °F) Water t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 12 mm (0.5") |
| May Max average t°: +26.5 °C (80 °F) Min average t°: +17 °C (62 °F) Water t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day:12.5 hours Rainy days: 0~1 days Precipitation: 12 mm (0.5") |
(San José)
Spring Holidays
Easter celebrations at variable dates of March and April.
April 11 – Juan Santamaria Day.
May 1 – Workers or Labor Day (May Day).
June-August in Costa Rica
In terms of weather conditions summer in pacific coasts of the country is almost same as spring unless there is more precipitation. Caribbean side of Costa Rica is hooter. Averages of summer temperature reach 32 °C (90 °F). Span of such conditions equals whole summer. Precipitation in form of short and intense rains is frequent. Water temperature stays as pleasant as it was at May.
Actually summer isn’t best season to visit Costa Rica. Especially for those who aren’t fond of torrential rains. Other than tem there are no concerns for seaside vacationing. Extreme natural diversity (about 5% of all species of the planet) provides entertainment for nature lovers at any given time.
Climate from June to August
| June Max average t°: +26 °C (78.5 °F) Min average t°: +17 °C (62 °F) Water t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Sundial in the day: 14 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 4.9 mm (0.18") |
| July Max average t°: +25.5 °C (78 °F) Min average t°: +17 °C (62 °F) Water t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 14 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 1.6 mm (0.06") |
| August Max average t°: +26 °C (78.5 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61.5 °F) Water t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 13 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 10 mm (0.4") |
(San José)
Summer Holidays
July 25 – Guanacaste Day.
August 2 – Virgin of Los Angeles Day.
August 15 – Mother´s Day.
September-November in Costa Rica
Autumn is the wettest season in Costa Rica for is the heist of rainy season. Range of temperatures is almost same. It has minor changes through whole year. In general annual range of temperatures is smaller than daily. It is pleasant year round for annual range of average temperatures is about 2 to 4 °C (≈4-7 °F) while difference of temperatures of day and night reaches 10 °C (≈18 °F) or more.
Caribbean coasts are traditionally rainier. It is showering on daily basis through September and November. At November precipitation decreases as water as temperature of water. It drops to 24 °C which is completely pleasant too.
Climate from September to November
| September Max average t°: +26 °C (78 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Water t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 11.5 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 16 mm (0.6") |
| October Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Water t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 9.4 mm (0.4") |
| November Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (60.5 °F) Water t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 15 mm (0.6") |
(San José)
Autumn Holidays
September 15 – Independence Day.
October 12 – National Cultures Day.
December-February in Costa Rica
Winter is the driest season in the country. Depending on altitude there is even probability of frosts. Coastal areas are warmer than plateau where daytime temperature may be 15 °C (59 °F) at December and drop to 10 °C (50 °F) at night. Altitude depended difference of temperatures is actual through whole year. Though most of points of interest are located in regions with prevailing warm temperature.
In general weather conditions of winter are most suitable for active tourism mainly because of less precipitation. In addition temperature of coastal waters don’t drops below 24 °C (75 °F) thus all kinds of seaside vacationing are available.
Climate from December to February
| December Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Water t°: +16.5 °C (62 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 18 mm (0.7") |
| January Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 15 mm (0.6") |
| February Max average t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Water t°: +14.5 °C (58 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 11 mm (0.4") |
(San José)
Winter Holidays
December 25 – Christmas Day.
January 1 – New Year's Day.
