Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

Wildlife Viewing

From fantastically colourful birds to sloths, sea turtles and whales, Costa Rica is a paradise for animal lovers and with 27 national parks, 13 forest reserves, eight biological reserves and countless sanctuaries to choose from, it’s a country that takes looking after its wildlife seriously. Sightings of most of the animals will happen all year round, these are just a few seasonal experiences to look out for.

The first is the nesting period of the exquisite sea turtles. The best time to go to Costa Rica for this is between July and August. Five species of turtles head to Tortuguero National Park between March and October to lay their eggs, with July and August being the peak months. Overall, the area will see about 22,500 female turtles and approximately 100,000 nests distributed unevenly on 25km of beach. Tortuguero is a highlight for wildlife fans, who can join kayaking adventures, boat tours and twilight excursions to take in the likes of spider monkeys, sloths, and many weird and wonderful amphibians.

The second phenomenon to look out for is when the humpback whales grace the waters around the Osa Peninsula between July and October. They unusually migrate from both the northern and southern hemispheres to breed, making whale-watching here some of the best in the world. You can also see dolphins in this region all year round.

Visiting the Beaches

The best time to visit Costa Rica for beach life is in its dry season between December and March when both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts see hot, sunny days, with temperatures between about 26˚ C and 32˚ C. However, the Caribbean beaches have their dry season in July and October too, when the Pacific Coast is rainy.

If you’re a keen surfer, you should travel to Costa Rica between May and November. While this is the wetter season, it is when swells roll in from the southwest, bringing waves up to 10 feet high in places like Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula. Strong winds this time of year also add to the quality of the surfing. Beginners, instead, should aim for the gentler sea conditions between December and April, when there aren’t so many pro-surfers in the water and the waves are softer.

Snorkelling in Costa Rica is best between January and March on the Pacific side and September and October on the Caribbean side. Costa Rica’s dry season is when the sea is calmest and visibility for seeing all the colourful marine life at its best.

When choosing which beach to visit in Costa Rica, it depends on what you’re looking for. The Caribbean’s Puerto Viejo is a classic tropical paradise, with palm trees, clear water and a laid-back beach town. The best time to visit Puerto Viejo is between February and April, or August to October. For wildlife, the Osa Peninsula is best. The area is also home to the beautiful Golfo Dulce coast and its calm swimming waters, visit between January and March to soak up the beach life on the Pacific Coast.

Outdoor Adventure Activities

Costa Rica is all about outdoor adventures, so if you’re heading there for an adrenaline rush you need to pick the right time of year.

Each season creates a very different experience when it comes to white water rafting. If you’re looking for gentle rapids or travelling with children, then opt for the dry season between December and March. However, the rain brings faster-flowing rivers, so those wanting a bit more excitement should go between May and November. Places like Arenal and around San Jose are adventure hubs and fantastic locations to take to the waters for a fun-filled adventure.

Hiking amongst the waterfalls and volcanoes in Costa Rica is another highlight for those wanting an active holiday. Trails can become flooded and wet in the rainy months, but the weather in Costa Rica in November is ideal for trekking. This is when the country has turned its fluorescent shade of green after the rains but it's dry enough to enjoy hikes, without getting drenched. You will still get some rainfall, particularly in the rainforest.

If you’d like to dabble in all the adventurous activities that the country has to offer, the dry season is the best time to visit Costa Rica. With vast zip lines, canopy walks, hiking, waterfalls to explore and water sports aplenty, you don’t want to be interrupted or have your experience cancelled by downpours.