|
-
Costa Rica has a mild, tropical climate with average annual temperatures for most of the country ranging between 70°F (22°C) and 85°F (27°C), with warmer temperatures on the moderately humid coasts and cooler temperatures in the mountains and Central Valley. The coolest months are from November to January and the warmest from March through May. Traditionally, the country's climate has been divided into two major seasons: dry (December to April) and rainy (May to November); however, this description is too simplistic for the complex climate of Costa Rica, which varies locally according to elevation, location, and other topographical influences. With more than a dozen complementary climate zones, Costa Rica is a pleasant place to visit any time of year.
-
Although rainfall patterns in Costa Rica are seasonal, they vary greatly throughout the country due to the mountain ranges that run from the northwest to the southeast and divide the nation into the Pacific and Caribbean slopes, and the central highlands. The wonderful thing about the Costa Rican rain is that it often comes later in the day, offering at least about 5 hours of daily sunshine, and when one coast receives more rain, the other coast tends to be far drier so even the "rainy" season is not what one might expect.
-
The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is generally a few degrees warmer and less humid than its Caribbean counterpart, receiving most of its rain from May through November. The North Pacific Region is often called the "Gold Coast" due to its sunnier and much drier climate, which averages around 89°F (32°C). During the dry season, no rain may fall for several months in this microclimate. The Central Pacific is greener, due to more rainfall, and gets increasingly humid as you head south.
-
While the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica tends to receive more rain than the Pacific coast, these showers give the coastal micro-climate more lush vegetation and less crowds. This humid coast is a bit cooler, with an average temperature of 82°F (28°C), and experiences its driest months during February and March. Annually in July and August, you can also expect the predictable, dry veranito, or little summer, to break up the green season.
-
The Central Valley and highlands, including the capital city of San Jose, are prized for their relatively mild temperate climate, with a mean annual temperature of 70°F (22°C). The higher altitude of this area makes for the pleasant weather year round that the locals call the "eternal spring."
Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
|
SAN JOSE
|
JAN
|
FEB
|
MAR
|
APR
|
MAY
|
JUN
|
JUL
|
AUG
|
SEP
|
OCT
|
NOV
|
DEC
|
|
max air temp. |
75
|
76
|
79
|
79
|
80
|
79
|
77
|
78
|
79
|
77
|
77
|
75
|
|
min air temp. |
58
|
58
|
59
|
62
|
62
|
62
|
62
|
61
|
61
|
60
|
60
|
58
|
|
avg. rainfall |
0.25
|
0.4
|
0.5
|
3.1
|
10.5
|
11.0
|
7.1
|
10.9
|
14.0
|
13.3
|
5.3
|
1.3
|
Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
PUERTO LIMON
(Caribbean Side)
|
JAN
|
FEB
|
MAR
|
APR
|
MAY
|
JUN
|
JUL
|
AUG
|
SEP
|
OCT
|
NOV
|
DEC
|
|
max air temp. |
81
|
82
|
83
|
85
|
84
|
85
|
84
|
83
|
85
|
86
|
83
|
82
|
|
min air temp. |
73
|
72
|
74
|
75
|
76
|
77
|
76
|
75
|
77
|
77
|
76
|
74
|
|
avg. rainfall |
12.6
|
7.9
|
7.6
|
11.3
|
11.1
|
10.9
|
16.1
|
11.4
|
6.4
|
7.8
|
11.4
|
15.8
|
Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
|
QUEPOS
|
JAN
|
FEB
|
MAR
|
APR
|
MAY
|
JUN
|
JUL
|
AUG
|
SEP
|
OCT
|
NOV
|
DEC
|
|
max air temp. |
87
|
87
|
89
|
89
|
89
|
87
|
87
|
86
|
86
|
86
|
86
|
86
|
|
min air temp. |
69
|
69
|
71
|
71
|
71
|
71
|
69
|
69
|
71
|
71
|
71
|
69
|
|
avg. rainfall |
2.8
|
1.4
|
2.4
|
6.6
|
15.4
|
17.0
|
18.1
|
18.8
|
20.8
|
25.3
|
15.3
|
6.6
|
Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
|
LIBERIA
|
JAN
|
FEB
|
MAR
|
APR
|
MAY
|
JUN
|
JUL
|
AUG
|
SEP
|
OCT
|
NOV
|
DEC
|
|
max air temp. |
90
|
91
|
94
|
95
|
94
|
88
|
88
|
89
|
88
|
86
|
87
|
89
|
|
min air temp. |
74
|
76
|
76
|
79
|
79
|
77
|
77
|
76
|
75
|
75
|
75
|
75
|
|
avg. rainfall |
0
|
0
|
0.3
|
0.9
|
9.2
|
12.3
|
5.3
|
8.1
|
12.8
|
11.2
|
4.1
|
0.5
|
|
