Dry Season: December to April

Most places you look, December through April, will be described as the dry season in Costa Rica. Take that with a large pinch of salt, grain of coffee or dollop of Gallo Pinto. 

That’s true in part — it is hot and dry in the Pacific northwest, drier than usual further south, and perfect beach weather on the Nicoya Peninsula. But Costa Rica is not one-size-fits-all. This is a small country with a tall spine of mountains running through it, which means the Pacific and Caribbean sides play by different rules. So “dry season” looks a little different depending on where you stand.

What to Expect by Region

Pacific Coast (Nicoya, Osa, Uvita)

• Classic beach weather in Nicoya: days filled with sunshine and minimal rainfall.
• Osa and Uvita: still dry, wildlife-rich, and February brings migrating humpback whales.
• A note for turtle lovers: this is the least good time for nesting on Pacific beaches like Ostional — it’s simply too hot for eggs to survive.

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

• Always cool and misty — you’re literally in a cloud.
• February onwards, resplendent quetzals start nesting, a real treat for birdwatchers.

Central Valley (San José, Turrialba)

• Coffee harvest is in full swing through March, filling the hillsides with activity.
• A great time for cultural visits and day trips from the capital.

Caribbean Coast (Cahuita, Tortuguero)

• Hot, humid, and still rainy, but rainfall is lower Dec–Apr than the rest of the year.
• By late March, leatherback turtles begin arriving to nest on the beaches.

Seasonal Highlights

• December: Festive buzz, dry season kicks off. Direct BA flights make it easier to arrive.
• January–February: Peak dry season — perfect for beaches, hiking, and the coffee harvest. Quetzals begin nesting in the highlands.
• March: Reliable sunshine, but also the busiest month — plan ahead to swerve the crowds.
• April: Signs of the green season returning, but still warm and dry on the Pacific. Quieter beaches and vibrant, lush scenery inland.

Why Travel in the Dry Season?

• Reliable sunshine: Especially on the Pacific coast.
• Adventure-ready: Easier road conditions, perfect for hiking, rafting, ziplining.
• Wildlife spectacles: Quetzals in the highlands, whales in Uvita, leatherbacks on the Caribbean.
• Cultural color: Coffee harvests, Easter celebrations, lively villages.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Peak season = more people and higher prices — book flights, hotels, and tours early.
• “Dry” doesn’t mean uniform — pack sunscreen and swimsuits, but also a jumper for cloud forests and a light rain jacket for the Caribbean.
• If you prefer quieter trails and beaches, early December or late April are sweet spots.

Ready to Plan?

Costa Rica is wonderful all year, but December–April delivers that picture-perfect mix of sunshine, wildlife, and cultural buzz. The trick is knowing where to go, and when, to get beyond the crowds.

That’s where we come in — designing trips that balance the postcard beaches with coffee harvests in the hills and quetzal spotting in misty forests.