The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Good Weather, Wildlife, and Affordable Prices

Over the last few years, the small Central American nation of Costa Rica has earned a reputation for its easygoing, pura vida sensibility. It's a place with something for everyone — though the destination is especially popular with adventure travelers and nature lovers, who flock here to surf, sunbathe, and hike the rain forest. Depending on what draws you here, there are ideal (and less ideal) times to book your vacation. If you want good weather and don't mind large crowds, the dry season, stretching from December to April, may be best. In the May-to-November rainy season, you'll find summer storms and muddy trails, but also smaller crowds and lower prices.

Whether you're seeking cheap flights, warm waters, or cloudless skies, here are the best times to visit Costa Rica for every type of getaway.

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Smaller Crowds

Most travelers choose to visit Costa Rica during the dry season — roughly December through April — when there’s more sunlight and less humidity. To avoid those crowds, plan your trip during the rest of the year.

The period between May and November is Costa Rica's rainy or "green" season, and while it's growing in popularity, it's still your best bet if you're in search of uncrowded hotels and beaches. Since word has begun to spread about the green season's low prices and thinner crowds, you might want to schedule your trip for the beginning or end of the season — the North American summer months of June, July, and August are increasingly busy, thanks to travelers in search of a good deal at a convenient time.

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Good Weather

The weather in Costa Rica is at its best during the dry, bright season between December and April. Temperatures at this time of year typically range from the low 70s to high 80s Fahrenheit, but they can top 90 degrees in the hottest months, March and April. Humidity is manageable though rarely low — try visiting higher-elevation, inland areas rather than the low-lying coasts if you want a minimally muggy trip.

While the months of May through November are humid and rainy, the showers are usually short bursts, not drenching day-long storms. Green season does coincide with the Caribbean hurricane season (which stretches from June to November), but that rarely means direct landfall. Due to Costa Rica's southerly location, hurricanes in the region typically just deliver extra rain.

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Lower Prices

While Costa Rica is a fairly affordable destination year-round, travelers can save on accommodations and flights by traveling during low season when there's less demand. Since the North American summer is an increasingly popular time to visit Costa Rica, the early and late months of the off-season — May and September, for example — are the most affordable.

By a similar token, the months of December through April are the most expensive in Costa Rica because the warm, sunny weather draws Northern Hemisphere travelers looking to escape the chilly conditions back home.

Related: 15 Best Places to Travel in March

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Wildlife Spotting

Costa Rica is home to endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. The exceptional number of national parks and wildlife refuges all play a part in helping to protect these animals, while simultaneously allowing travelers to catch a glimpse.

The best time to spot wildlife depends on which animals you'd most like to see. Some well known attention-grabbers, like the capuchin monkey, can be seen (and heard) year-round. But those seeking to spot sea turtles should head to the Caribbean coast between February and October, or during April and May for leatherback turtles. Generally, you'll want to rise early — well before sunrise — and head to a reserve just as the animals wake up.

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Birding

Most birds native to Costa Rica can be spotted all year long, but bird-watching enthusiasts say the best time to see the country's avian residents is during the dry season. Because of the less-frequent rain, birds come out in force during this time and can be heard singing nearly everywhere; visibility is also improved. If you're hoping to spot migratory birds, though, aim for September through November.

You may want to get some local advice if you're seeking the famed quetzal. This long-tailed Central American bird is considered one of the world's most beautiful, and its limited range makes it tough to spot. One tip, though: they can often be found feeding on wild avocados in the cloud forests during the dry season.

Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Surfing

Surfers come from all over the world to catch the waves on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast — especially along the Nicoya Peninsula. In fact, surfing (though an import) has become as Costa Rican as a bowl of ceviche.

Beginners, and those looking to test minimal surfing skills, should take to the crests in March or April — the last two months of the dry season — when temperatures and humidity rise and waves remain tame. For the daring and experienced, the biggest waves can be found during the rainier months of September and October. But if it's uncrowded beaches you want for your surf trip, the low tourist season of June through August is a good bet.

Best Time to Go to Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast

Limón Province, which stretches the length of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, is very different than the nation's Pacific edge. It's here that visitors will find a stronger influence of Afro-Caribbean culture and food, along with a pace that's much slower. While not the first choice for most tourists, the Caribbean coast has exciting spots like Puerto Viejo (an eclectic town that draws surfer crowds) or Cahuita National Park (home to sprawling coral reefs).

The best time to visit this area is during the dry season (December to April), as the humidity during the rainy season is much more pronounced here.

Best Time to Go to Costa Rica's Cloud Forests

Monteverde, in Puntarenas, is Costa Rica's most popular cloud forest. Here and in other forests like it, mountaintops punctuate a fog so dense it appears to be a cloud. It's a magical sight to see — but travelers may want to avoid visiting during the height of the wet season (July and August), when hiking paths can be too muddy to trek. Fortunately, the fog formations are not greatly impacted by the seasons.

Worst Times to Visit Costa Rica

Even though it's gaining popularity, the green season remains a poor time to visit Costa Rica if you're sensitive to rain and high humidity. On the Caribbean coast especially, conditions will be very muggy between May and November, so weather-motivated travelers should schedule their trips outside of this period.

If it's crowds you want to avoid, though, the dry season may be your "worst time." Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Costa Rica between December and April, so travelers in search of uncrowded attractions should try a less popular season.

For the best balance between crowd size and climate, try months like May or October, when rainy season is just beginning or is nearing its end.