Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Dry Season vs. Green Season
When to visit Costa Rica: the dry season, the green season, regional differences between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and the best months for wildlife and value.
Updated November 12, 2026 · By the RoamPlanned team
Short answer: The dry season, from about mid-December to April, is the most popular time to visit Costa Rica, especially for the Pacific beaches of Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio. The green (rainy) season, from about May to November, brings lush forests, fewer visitors and afternoon rain. September and October are usually the wettest months on the Pacific side.
Costa Rica's seasons at a glance
| Months | Pacific side and Central Valley | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-December–April | Dry season: sunny days, dusty roads in Guanacaste | Peak demand, especially Christmas to New Year's and Easter week (Semana Santa). |
| May–August | Green season: mornings often clear, rain in the afternoon | Good value. Many locals take a short break around July, sometimes called the "little summer" (veranillo). |
| September–October | Usually the wettest months | Some rural roads become harder going. A good time for the Caribbean coast instead. |
| November | Rains easing | Lush landscapes and fewer visitors before the holiday season. |
Regions have different weather
Costa Rica packs many microclimates into a small country. Guanacaste in the northwest is the driest region. The Arenal area and the cloud forests of Monteverde can be misty or rainy in any month, which is part of what makes them green. The Caribbean coast, including Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo, follows a different pattern, and September and October are often among its drier months.
Best time for specific trips
- Beach time on the Pacific: mid-December through April.
- Seeing Arenal Volcano's summit: it is often wrapped in cloud. Clear views are more likely in the dry season and early in the morning.
- Green sea turtle nesting at Tortuguero: roughly July through October.
- Value and fewer crowds: May through August, and November.
- Hiking and wildlife: year-round. Rain gear and good shoes are always useful.
Weather tips
- In the green season, plan tours and drives for the morning, when skies are most often clear.
- Driving times are longer than distances suggest. Mountain roads are winding, and travel after dark is best avoided.
- Costa Rica is rarely in the direct path of hurricanes, but distant storms can bring heavy rain.
Plan your Costa Rica trip
Read the Costa Rica travel guide, follow the 7-day Arenal and Manuel Antonio itinerary or the 10-day itinerary with Monteverde, or compare with Costa Rica vs. Cancún.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Costa Rica?
For dry weather on the Pacific coast, January through April are usually best. For value and green scenery, consider May through August.
When is the rainy season in Costa Rica?
The green season runs roughly May to November on the Pacific side and in the Central Valley, with September and October usually the wettest.
Is the green season a bad time to visit Costa Rica?
Not necessarily. Mornings are often clear and rain tends to fall in the afternoon, prices and crowds are lower, and forests are at their greenest.
When is turtle season in Tortuguero?
Green sea turtles nest at Tortuguero roughly from July through October.
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Itineraries for this trip
7-Day Costa Rica Itinerary: Arenal & Manuel Antonio
The classic first trip: volcano, hot springs and hanging bridges, then rainforest wildlife and Pacific beaches.
10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary: Arenal, Monteverde & Beaches
Volcano, cloud forest and dry-season beaches, flying in and out of Liberia (LIR).
Trip ideas and deals
Seasonal destination ideas, new itineraries and travel deals when we find them, sent occasionally by email.
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