Costa Rica
Costa Rica has no real summer or winter due to its proximity to the equator.
Average temperature: 70-81 F
Two types of climates: Tropical and Subtropical
Dry season: December to April
Rainy season: May to November
Cooler temperatures are found in the highlands.
San José (capital) in the Central Valley
The best weather in the country.
Temperate Year-Round
Temperatures range from highs in the mid-80s F to lows in the mid-60s F.
Altitudes vary from 2,000 feet to 5,000 feet above sea level, so the higher in elevation you go, the cooler the average temperatures.
San José - Average temperatures |
Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Min (°C) |
14 |
14 |
15 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
14 |
Max (°C) |
24 |
24 |
26 |
26 |
27 |
26 |
25 |
26 |
26 |
25 |
25 |
24 |
Min (°F) |
57 |
57 |
59 |
63 |
63 |
63 |
63 |
61 |
61 |
61 |
61 |
57 |
Max (°F) |
75 |
75 |
79 |
79 |
81 |
79 |
77 |
79 |
79 |
77 |
77 |
75 |
San José - Average precipitation |
Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
Prec.(mm) |
15 |
5 |
20 |
45 |
230 |
240 |
210 |
240 |
310 |
305 |
145 |
40 |
1805 |
Prec.(in) |
0.6 |
0.2 |
0.8 |
1.8 |
9.1 |
9.4 |
8.3 |
9.4 |
12.2 |
12 |
5.7 |
1.6 |
71.1 |
Days |
2 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
17 |
20 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
22 |
13 |
4 |
148 |
South Pacific Coast
Rainforests are warm and humid with heavy precipitation during rainy season.
Hillsides, where most expats live, however, have lower temperatures, along with cooling ocean and mountain breezes.
Costa Rica’s Lowlands and Coastal Areas
Average temperature: 79 F
Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast, known as the Gold Coast, receives the sunniest days and the least rainfall in the country. Its average temperature is in the high 80s F or low 70s F.
Puntarenas - Average precipitation |
Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
Prec.(mm) |
6 |
4 |
5 |
30 |
205 |
215 |
175 |
225 |
295 |
280 |
130 |
30 |
1600 |
Prec.(in) |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1.2 |
8.1 |
8.5 |
6.9 |
8.9 |
11.6 |
11 |
5.1 |
1.2 |
63 |
Days |
2 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
19 |
21 |
18 |
22 |
24 |
25 |
15 |
6 |
164 |
Puntarenas - Average temperaturesemperatures |
Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Min (°C) |
22 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
Max (°C) |
34 |
34 |
34 |
35 |
33 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
Min (°F) |
72 |
72 |
73 |
75 |
75 |
75 |
73 |
73 |
73 |
73 |
73 |
72 |
Max (°F) |
93 |
93 |
93 |
95 |
91 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast
Consistent tropical warmth
Temperatures vary from highs of 85-90 F and lows of 75-80 F.
This area receives a bit more rain than northern areas, so the surrounding jungles are eternally lush and green.
Quepos - Average temperatures |
Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Min (°C) |
22 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
Max (°C) |
31 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
31 |
Min (°F) |
72 |
72 |
73 |
75 |
73 |
73 |
73 |
73 |
73 |
73 |
73 |
73 |
Max (°F) |
88 |
90 |
90 |
90 |
88 |
88 |
88 |
86 |
86 |
86 |
86 |
88 |
Quepos - Average precipitation |
Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
Prec.(mm) |
45 |
25 |
40 |
155 |
390 |
415 |
445 |
470 |
545 |
535 |
350 |
160 |
3570 |
Prec.(in) |
1.8 |
1 |
1.6 |
6.1 |
15.4 |
16.3 |
17.5 |
18.5 |
21.5 |
21.1 |
13.8 |
6.3 |
140.6 |
Days |
7 |
4 |
5 |
12 |
23 |
24 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
27 |
23 |
15 |
219 |
Quepo- Sunshine |
Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Hours |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |