When is the cheapest time to visit Costa Rica?

Prices bottom out in May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov — typically 20-40% below peak-season rates on hotels and flights.

Best time to visit · Central America

When to go to Costa Rica

Dry season (December–April) is peak time. The "green season" (May–November) brings afternoon rains but lush landscapes and lower prices.

Best: December–AprilPeak: December–March

Month-by-month

Jan

Great

14°–24°C · 5mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high

Feb

Great

14°–25°C · 5mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high

Mar

Great

15°–26°C · 10mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high

Apr

Good

16°–27°C · 45mm rain
Crowds medium · Prices medium

Semana Santa

May

Okay

16°–27°C · 230mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low

Green season starts

Jun

Okay

16°–27°C · 240mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low

Jul

Good

16°–26°C · 200mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low

Mini dry spell on Pacific

Aug

Okay

16°–27°C · 240mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low

Sep

Avoid

16°–26°C · 300mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low

Wettest month

Oct

Avoid

16°–26°C · 310mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low

Heavy rain continues

Nov

Okay

15°–25°C · 170mm rain
Crowds low · Prices low

Dec

Great

14°–24°C · 40mm rain
Crowds high · Prices high

Dry season returns

Festivals worth timing your trip around

Jan

Fiestas de Palmares

Two-week rodeo, concerts, and carnival in the Central Valley.

Feb–Mar

Envision Festival

Boutique music and wellness festival on the Pacific coast.

Sep

Día de la Independencia

Independence Day parades with schoolchildren carrying lanterns.

Ready to book for Jan?

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Hotels in Costa Rica →Flights to Costa Rica →

Common questions about Costa Rica

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?: December–April. Dry season (December–April) is peak time. The "green season" (May–November) brings afternoon rains but lush landscapes and lower prices.
When is the cheapest time to visit Costa Rica?: Prices bottom out in May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov — typically 20-40% below peak-season rates on hotels and flights.
What months should I avoid in Costa Rica?: Sep, Oct. Wettest month
When is peak tourist season in Costa Rica?: December–March

See also the full Costa Rica climate deep-dive with temperature heatmap and daily-rainfall breakdown.