Best time to visit Costa Rica
In this guide, we will explore the best time to visit Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is the most popular country in Central America, which makes sense given the abundance of nature, beautiful scenery and warm climate here.
It’s also one of our top choices for first-timers too as it’s very safe.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best time to go to Costa Rica, which includes whether this nation is worth visiting as well as how long we recommend to stay.
As well as looking at 5 of the very best things to do in Costa Rica, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
Best time to visit Costa Rica
February is the overall best month to visit Costa Rica. Here you’ll enjoy great weather with little rain, as well as fewer crowds and cheaper prices too.
Is Costa Rica worth visiting?
The short answer: Yes! You find nothing but Pura Vida here and that’s we’ve added Costa Rica to our backpacking Central America guide so you are able to plan your trip here.
The (slightly) longer answer: Costa Rica is one of the best Latin American countries you can visit for top-class nature. Not only will you find picturesque beaches on both coasts, but you’ll also be able to spot an incredible variety of wildlife too.
Whilst it can feel overtoursity at times, the benefit of visiting Costa Rica is that it’s very built-up and safe. In fact – it’s so peaceful here that they don’t even have an army!
Other benefits of visiting Costa Rica include its buzzing backpacking scene, check out these cool hostels for inspiration, as well as being a great choice for solo travelers too.
What is the best month to visit Costa Rica?
Although anytime during the dry season is best for sunny weather with clear skies, we’ve found that February is the overall best month to visit Costa Rica.
Temperatures are warm, yet not uncomfortably hot like the summer months later in the year. Whilst some areas still have showers every now and then (like the Caribbean Coast), it’s still much drier and perfect for heading to the beach and getting out to explore.
We also believe February to be the best for those who are looking to keep costs down. Costa Rica as a whole is more expensive than the other Central American countries, and this month is cheaper than January (still within the Christmas period) as well as March and April (spring break season).
Is it Safe to visit Costa Rica?
Out of every country you could visit in Latin America, Costa Rica by far ranks as the overall most safe. Robbery or assault is extremely rare in the popular beach destinations such as Santa Teresa and Puerto Viejo, where the only bigger threat are the powerful waves rolling in.
The only exception to take note of is the capital – San José. Whilst definitely safer than other Latin capitals such as Tegucigalpa and Managua, you’ll still need to be street smart as crime does happen more often here.
Some of our top tips for staying safe include leaving valuables in your accommodation when exploring, as well as dressing down to avoid showing yourself off to potential opportunistic thieves.
We recommend carrying this Secure Money Belt to keep your things safe.
Top things to do in Costa Rica
Let’s now explore 5 of the very best things to do in Costa Rica.
See Wildlife in the Monteverde Rainforest
Costa Rica as a whole is known for its incredible variety of wildlife, which is one of the biggest reasons travelers head here. Monteverde is the best place to come, which is known as one of the most endemic places in the Western Hemisphere.
Here you can spot everything from colorful toucans and birds to various reptiles and mammals. The best time of day to come is in the evening, with this organized night tour. Late at night, you’ll have a better chance of spotting other animals such as green snakes and tarantulas.
If you’re lucky you may even spot an Ocelot, or other wild felines such as the elusive Jaguar. Whilst there are other tour companies you could go with, we recommend this one most as you’ll have all transport included, as well as a fantastically knowledgeable guide who knows the area really well (as well as the best viewing spots for different animals).
Get to know the REAL San José
Many travelers will enter Costa Rica via the capital, however, spend little time as they often depart quickly for the more scenic areas.
We’ve found that San José is definitely worth a few days exploring, given that there are many comprehensive museums which are perfect for understanding the culture and history on a much better level.
The Museo Nacional de Costa Rica is one of the very best, where you’ll see a notorious jail, various exhibit rooms detailing different eras of Costa Rica and even a small butterfly sanctuary too.
We also recommend heading to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum for its rich collection of ancient artifacts. Both of these are located close to the Historic Centre, where you’ll find a tonne of good eating options and cheap accommodation.
Around the Parque Central de San José you’ll also find many beautiful colonial buildings, which is a must for architectural buffs.
Hike in the Arenal National Park
Out of the whole country, the landscapes and terrains of Arenal by far make it the best place for some good ol’ fashioned hiking. One of the very best is this trek up Arenal Volcano, which is 1657 m high and looks like something straight out of a prehistoric dinosaur film.
The hike isn’t too demanding, although you’ll want to bring plenty of water and sunscreen with you. Before reaching the skyline (and the awesome views that brings), you’ll also spend time trekking through the thick jungle.
La Fortuna Waterfalls is another memorable experience, where you’ll spend the half-day hiking to these beautiful falls which stand at a nice height of 246 ft.
You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy these cold spring waters, which are much welcomed given the hot jungle climate you’ll be hiking through.
When hiking in Arenal, carry some high-quality hiking boots. We recommend taking a look at this pair for the guys, as well as this pair for the ladies.
Go Surfing along the Pacific Coast
Whilst the Caribbean coast (with spots like Puerto Viejo) has been revered much more within the travel sphere, the Pacific Coast is starting to gain popularity too.
One of the biggest reasons is for the awesome surfing that can be found along this large stretch of coast, which runs for almost 800 miles along the west coast of Costa Rica.
Jaco is the most notorious, where the surf is more reliable (although is only best for experts given it can have a strong swell and otherwise be dangerous for beginners).
Although the town feels too overtouristy, there are other nice areas close by such as Quepos and the stunning Manuel Antonio National Park.
Another awesome surfing destination to visit is Santa Teresa in the north of the country. Closer to Nicaragua (which is a usual pit stop for travelers between both nations), the surf here is also very good. You’ll also find a more vibrant backpacking scene here too, with awesome parties most days of the week.
Visit Tortuguero National Park
Located within the extreme northeast of Costa Rica, the Tortuguero National Park is a remote slice of paradise that is perfect for seeing numerous turtle species such as the Hawksbill, Leatherhead and Green Sea Turtles. Similar to the rest of the Caribbean Coast, you’ll find activity higher during certain seasons.
The breeding season (which runs from July to October) is the best for seeing the big boys who sprawl out on the beach, whilst those who want to see baby turtles hatch will want to visit from September until December. We recommend spending a good 3-5 days here.
Not only for seeing the awesome wildlife but also for enjoying some of the most picturesque and unspoiled Caribbean beaches in Central America (those who love privacy will love it especially given there are much fewer tourists here compared to areas like Limón). Those short on time can head here with this day trip from San José.
Costa Rica FAQ’s
Best time to visit Costa Rica
And that’s all for this guide on the best time to visit Costa Rica.
This stunning country is perfect for those who love varied landscapes, as well as for seeing some of the richest levels of biodiversity on earth.
Costa Rica is also very safe, and as such is one of our top recommendations for those heading to Latin America for the first time.
In this guide, we’ve covered the best time to visit Costa Rica, as well as our own personal recommendations for you to get the most out of a trip here.
At the end, we’ve also answered your most burning questions in our FAQ section. See our backpacking Costa Rica guide for more travel advice.
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