These Are the Best Times to Visit Costa Rica

Editor's Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure.

Over the last few years, the small Central American nation of Costa Rica has earned a reputation for its easy going, pura vida sensibility. It's a place with something for everyone — though the destination is especially popular with adventurous travelers and nature lovers, who flock here to surf, sun on the beach, snack on seafood, and hike in the rainforest.

Depending on what draws you here, there are ideal — and less ideal — times to book your vacation. Whether you're seeking cheap flights, warm waters, or cloudless skies, these are the best times to visit Costa Rica for every type of getaway.

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

The best time to visit Costa Rica really depends on your travel preferences. Generally speaking, there is no bad time to visit Costa Rica, though airfare and lodging will typically be more expensive during the dry season (autumn through spring), which offers more sunlight and less humidity.

The rainy season, which peaks during the summer months and is considerably more humid and damp, is not without its perks — it's less crowded, for example, and rain typically falls in short bursts before things quickly get sunny again. Even during the wet season, rainstorms and hurricanes are rare in Costa Rica.

Best Times to Visit Costa Rica for Wildlife Spotting

Costa Rica is home to endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. The exceptional number of national parks and wildlife refuges all play a part in helping to protect these animals, while simultaneously allowing travelers to catch a glimpse.

The best times to spot wildlife depend on which animals you'd most like to see. Some well known attention-grabbers, like the Capuchin monkey, can be seen (and heard) year-round. But those seeking to spot sea turtles should head to the Caribbean coast between February and October, or during April and May for leatherback turtles. Generally, you'll want to rise early — well before sunrise — and head to a reserve just as the animals wake up.

Best Times to Visit Costa Rica for Birding

Most birds native to Costa Rica can be spotted all year long, but those devoted to the patient hobby of birdwatching find that the best time to spot the country's resident birds is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. It's during this time that birds come out more frequently (as there is less rain) and can be heard singing nearly everywhere. Also, visibility is greatly improved during this season.

If you're looking for migratory birds, traveling to Costa Rica from September through November provides a window of opportunity. If you're specifically seeking the famed quetzal, you may want to get some local advice on the best areas to find these long-tailed Central American birds, though they are often found feeding on wild avocados in the cloud forests during during the dry season.

Best Times to Visit Costa Rica for Surfing

Surfers hail from all over the world to catch the waves on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast — especially along the Nicoya Peninsula. In fact, surfing (though an import), has become as Costa Rican as a bowl of ceviche.

Beginners, and those looking to test minimal surfing skills, should take to the crests in March or April — the last two months of the dry season — when temperatures and humidity rise and waves remain tame. For the daring and the experienced, the biggest waves can be found during the rainier months of September and October. But if beach crowds are more the issue, then the low tourist season of June through August is a sure bet.

Best Times to Go to Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast

Limón Province, which stretches the length of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, is very different than the nation's Pacific edge. It's here that visitors will find a stronger influence of Afro-Caribbean culture and food, along with a pace that's much slower. While not the first choice for most tourists, the Caribbean coast has exciting spots like Puerto Viejo (an eclectic town that draws surfer crowds) or Cahuita National Park (home to sprawling coral reefs).

The best time to visit this area is during the dry season, as the humidity during the rainy season is much more pronounced here.

Best Time to Go to Costa Rica’s Cloud Forests

Monteverde, in Puntarenas, is Costa Rica's most popular cloud forest. It's here that you'll find trails leading up to the mountaintops that punctuate a fog so dense, it appears to be a cloud. It's a magical sight to see — but travelers may want to avoid visiting during the height of the wet season, when paths can be difficult to trek.

Fortunately, the fog formations are not greatly impacted by the seasons.

The Most Affordable Time to Visit Costa Rica

The most expensive and most affordable times to visit Costa Rica coincide with high and low season — and this has nothing to do with the actual seasons in the country. The high season is related to winter farther north, when visitors from the United States and Europe are looking to escape freezing temperatures. Thus, hotel prices, airfare, and other travel expenses are a bit inflated during this time.

While Costa Rica is a relatively affordable destination, travelers can save on accommodations and flights by traveling during low season when there's less demand.

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