Late Green Season: September to November

This is when Costa Rica truly lives up to its “green season” name. September and October are when the Pacific coast really gets a soaking. Trails turn muddy, some lodges close, and afternoon storms roll in with theatrical flair.

But here’s the twist: just as the Pacific gets drenched, the Caribbean is basking in some of its driest, sunniest weeks of the year. Picture golden beaches, calm turquoise seas, and baby turtles scrambling towards the waves. Add whales off the Pacific coast and thousands of raptors streaming overhead in September, and it’s clear this season still has its show-stopping moments.

By November, the balance shifts again. Rains ease across the country, the sun breaks through more often, and the dry season is already setting in up north. It’s a month of transition — rivers full, forests at their greenest, and the country quietly gearing up for the fiesta of high season.

Regional Highlights

Caribbean Coast (Cahuita, Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo)

• September–October are the Caribbean’s best months: sun, calmer seas, and turtle hatchlings at Tortuguero.
• Cahuita and Puerto Viejo deliver that unbeatable mix of jungle and beach.

Pacific Coast (Nicoya, Osa, Uvita)

• Nicoya sees heavy September showers but dries rapidly by November — perfect beach weather.
• Osa is very wet in Sept–Oct, with many lodges closed, though whale activity offshore is superb.
• Uvita is whale central in October, shifting into beach season by November.

Central Highlands & Cloud Forest (Chirripó, San Gerardo, La Fortuna, Tenorio, Turrialba)

• Heavy rains make Sept–Oct challenging for hikes, but the landscapes are dreamily green.
• By November, trails reopen in Chirripó, San Gerardo birdwatching sparkles, and Rio Celeste at Tenorio is in full flow.

Why Travel in the Late Green Season?

• Caribbean sunshine: September–October are ideal here.
• Wildlife spectacles: Raptors on the wing in September, turtles hatching in October, whales through November.
• Peace and quiet: The calmest months of the year, especially on the Pacific.
• Great value: Low prices before high season begins.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Expect closures on the Pacific coast in September–October.
• Rural roads may be muddy or flooded after heavy rains.
• November varies: some regions still stormy, but others (like Guanacaste) already feel like summer.

Ready to Go?

Late green season won’t suit every traveller, but if you’re drawn to Caribbean sunshine, wildlife spectacles, and the joy of having beaches and trails almost to yourself, it’s a quietly magical time to be here.

And by November, you’ll catch Costa Rica in a rare moment — rivers and forests still brimming with life, yet with the first hints of the long, golden dry season just around the corner.