THE BEST TIMES TO TRAVEL TO COSTA RICA

Best Weather

December through April.  Late winter to early spring marks the dry season for Costa Rica, which is when the exotic wildlife is easiest to find and the beaches are most pristine.  It’s also coolest during this period, with temperatures rarely reaching 80 degrees and the humidity at a minimum.

Most Affordable Time

May through November.  Being blanketed by rainforests, it’s no surprise that Costa Rica has a long and very wet rainy season.  Some months even see over 12 inches of rain on average.  With this, there are often less tourists and therefore greater deals for travel to the region.  Beyond saving some dollars, traveling during these months also places you in the middle of the “green season” with no shortage of impeccable views of the dense, lush forests.  Plus staying in less-affected areas like Guanacaste means rain will only bother you for a few hours a day rather than your whole trip.

Liveliest Time

October.  Another Caribbean Carnival you have to experience at least once, Limón Carnival commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1502 to their tropical shores.  It is dressed with local delicacies, music, dancing, parades, and brightly-colored costumes in celebration of the Afro-Caribbean heritage so meaningful to the culture.  It’s a spirited and joyous event that even lands in a mini dry season to ensure the show may go on.