Mid Green Season: July to August
July and August might be called the rainy season, but don’t picture endless downpours. In fact, this is one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets for family holidays — thanks to the Veranillo de San Juan, or “Little Summer.”
Usually in late June or early July, the rains ease for a week or two. Skies clear, days turn brighter, and the Pacific coast enjoys something like a mini dry season. Add in lush scenery, active wildlife, and fewer crowds than December–April, and you’ve got a brilliant summer escape.
Regional Highlights
Pacific Coast (Nicoya, Osa, Uvita)
- Nicoya beaches are quieter, with sunny breaks even in the rains.
- Osa enjoys a drier spell in July — great for exploring wildlife-rich Corcovado.
- Uvita offers warm seas, vibrant rainforests, and steady surf conditions.
Central Highlands & Cloud Forest (San Gerardo, Chirripó, La Fortuna, Tenorio)
- La Fortuna and Tenorio glow green — waterfalls full, forests buzzing.
- Chirripó trails are clearer during Veranillo, though wetter again by August.
- San Gerardo is crisp and cool, ideal for hiking and photography.
Caribbean Coast (Cahuita, Tortuguero)
- Cahuita stays warm and humid, with more accessible beaches in July.
- Tortuguero is the star of the season — July through August is peak turtle nesting.
Central Valley (San José, Turrialba)
- Turrialba and surrounding hills are lush and peaceful, perfect for slower-paced exploration and cultural visits.
Why Travel in July–August?
- Family-friendly timing: UK and European school holidays align perfectly with Costa Rica’s “little summer.”
- Wildlife spectacles: Peak turtle nesting on the Caribbean, plus dolphins and rainforest wildlife along the Pacific.
- Best green season weather: Sunny days, cooler evenings, manageable rain.
- Aquatic adventures: Rivers, waterfalls, and surf are at their best.
Things to Keep in Mind
- The Veranillo isn’t guaranteed — it may last days or a couple of weeks.
- Afternoons usually bring showers, so we help you plan activities early in the day.
- Caribbean side stays wetter, but that’s exactly what brings the turtles.
- Still quieter and less expensive than the dry season.
Ready to Go?
For many travellers, July and August hit the sweet spot: a blend of lush green landscapes, sunny breaks, and wildlife wonders you can’t see at other times.
It’s a brilliant window for families and adventurers alike — and we’ll help you make the most of Costa Rica’s “Little Summer,” balancing turtle beaches, rainforest hikes, and surf on the Pacific coast.
Thomas Power
Co-founder & CEO of Pura Aventura
Thomas has run a café in northern Mexico, lived on a Honduran island, guided tour groups throughout Spain and worked for the UN in Santiago. But it was in the mid-nineties that the seeds for Pura Aventura were sown, through a chance meeting with fellow co-founders in Chile's Torres del Paine and his experiences hitchhiking up through Patagonia along the Carretera Austral. So beautiful were the landscapes through which he passed, and so warm was the hospitality he received, that he decided to start a tour operator primarily dedicated to sharing these special places, no matter how unknown they were at the time.
20 years on, and many more special places later, Pura Aventura is still dedicated to protecting and benefiting their destinations and partners overseas, enabling clients to experience both the ‘bumpy beauty’ and iconic highlights of Spain, Portugal and Latin America.
Pura Aventura has been recommended by The Independent, Wanderlust and Condé Nast for innovative sustainability initiatives, is trusted by BBC Radio 4, The Financial Times & CNN as a voice for certifiably responsible travel, and praised by Which? for commitment to fair and open customer service during the Covid-19 pandemic. Handpicked as the official European launch partner of Patagonia's Route of Parks, the world’s most ambitious conservation tourism project, in 2020 Pura Aventura became one of the first UK travel companies to achieve B Corp certification.