The rainy season, or ‘green season’ as it is commonly known, transforms Costa Rica, when white clouds drift over green mountains and raindrops trickle down leaves in lush tropical forests.
🌦️ If, like us, you enjoy exploring a country’s hidden beauty and are not bothered by the occasional rains, then you will find plenty to love about Costa Rica in the rainy season.
Let us take you through our reasons to travel to Costa Rica in rainy season, activities to do, and how you can set your expectations right.
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Reasons to Visit Costa Rica in Rainy Season
Here are our reasons for visiting Costa Rica during the wet season or rainy season.
🎒 Check out our Costa Rica Rainy Season Packing List essentials and be prepared.
🚙 Getting Around: If you are planning to rent a car, we recommend a 4X4, as road conditions can deteriorate in rainy season, particularly in remote areas.
Get 10% discount from Adobe Car Rental, a reputed Costa Rican company, no code required.
➡️ Related Reading: 7 Tips for Visiting Costa Rica in Rainy Season
Lush Landscapes in Full Bloom
As the country enters the wet season, we see the transformation of Costa Rica’s landscape from dry-yellowish foliage to lush green.
The tropical forest ecosystem of Costa Rica comes alive in the rains.
🌳 Whether you are hiking in the rainforests or just enjoying a view sitting at your lodge, the opportunity to connect with nature is unparalleled.
According to us, the rainy season brings out the best views of Costa Rica, anywhere you go.
For perspective, Guanacaste, the driest region of the country with arid climate and dusty roads turns green this time of the year, offering eye soothing vistas.
🏡 Stay in one of the eco-lodges of Costa Rica to be close to the nature.
We have stayed in some of these lodges during the rainy season. They are great value for the amenities, onsite trails, wildlife sighting chances and in-house activities they offer.
Weather Patterns: Cooler Temperature
The onset of rainy season brings a refreshing coolness to the typically warm dry season.
These regular shower-induced temperature drops make outdoor explorations much more pleasant.
💦 Generally, the bursts of rain are confined to the afternoons or evenings, while the mornings tend to remain bright and sunny.
We find that this combination of sunny mornings and cooler, rainy afternoons offers the perfect balance of activities and relaxation, enhancing our overall experience.
🥾 Go for hiking in the forest trails in the mornings, when it is less likely to rain.
However, do not expect the weather to be cold, and bring breathable clothes suitable for tropical climate.
Fewer Crowds
The green season comes with a noticeable drop in tourist traffic.
🧍🏽If you prefer tranquil beaches and fewer people on hiking trails, the rainy season is the best time to visit.
Apart from some surges in July, which coincides with the holiday season in North America and Europe, the number of visitors are significantly lower than the dry season.
📉 Enjoy analyzing numbers like us? Here is a graph showing Costa Rica’s visitor counts by month in 2024. See the drop in rainy season?
Popular destinations, national parks, and beaches are less crowded, allowing for a more intimate experience. You can explore at your own pace without the stress that often accompanies peak-season travel.
➡️ Related Reading: Our 3-Day Itinerary for Manuel Antonio, home to Costa Rica’s most popular National Park.
Economical Travel Options
As with most destinations, traveling to Costa Rica during the off-peak season means more bang for your buck.
✅ If you are thinking of an affordable trip to Costa Rica, then Green season is the best time to visit Costa Rica.
Lower prices of flights, and deals on accommodations, car rentals and tours make it easier to experience luxury on a budget during the rainy season.
🏨 You can find several deals from boutique hotels, eco-lodges and even luxury resorts at fraction of the price.
💰 Tour operators and activity providers also offer discounted prices during the off-peak season.
Easier to Plan
With fewer visitors, planning becomes a lot easier. Last-minute bookings for accommodations and activities are more accessible, and impromptu changes to your itinerary are less stressful.
You can avoid the stress of fully booked hotels and sold-out tours that are common during the peak season.
⏳ We have often extended our stays during the rainy season. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for a relaxed and unplanned travel experience.
It gives you the freedom to make decisions on the go without the need for rigid plans made months in advance.
➡️ How to plan a short trip to Costa Rica? Read our guide on 5-Day Costa Rica Itineraries.
Whale Watching
The green season is an excellent time for whale watching along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, particularly in areas like the Costa Ballena and the Osa Peninsula.
This is when humpback whales migrate from the Southern Hemisphere (their winter) to the warm, nutrient-rich waters of Costa Rica to breed and give birth.
Visitors have the incredible opportunity to witness these majestic creatures breach, slap their tails, and communicate with each other, providing a breathtaking and unforgettable experience.
➡️ Read about our experience of going on a Whale Watching Tour in Uvita.
Green Sea Turtle Nesting
🐢 This is one of the most rare wildlife interactions of our life, watching a huge green sea turtle lay eggs on the beach in Tortuguero National Park.
Located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park is one of the most important nesting sites for the endangered green sea turtles.
🗓️ The nesting season typically runs from July to October, with peak activity in August and September.
During this time, thousands of green turtles come ashore every year to lay their eggs on the sandy beaches.
🐢 We went on a guided sea turtle nesting tour in Tortuguero to witness this incredible natural phenomenon. The tours
As part of conservation efforts and to ensure a safe environment for the turtles, these tours are conducted with strict regulations.
Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting
Situated on the Nicoya Peninsula’s Pacific coast, the Ostional Wildlife Refuge is renowned for the massive arribadas, or ‘arrival’ events, of Olive Ridley turtles.
🐢 Arribadas occur from July to December, with peak times usually coinciding with the new moon. During these events, thousands of Olive Ridley sea-turtles come ashore to lay eggs.
Witnessing an arribada is a spectacular and rare natural event. Visitors can observe the turtles emerging from the ocean, making their way up the beach, laying their eggs in large numbers and crawling back to the ocean.
Guided tours offer a chance to learn about the unique reproductive behaviors of Olive Ridleys, as well as the community-based conservation efforts in Ostional, where locals are allowed to sustainably harvest a small portion of the first nests laid, supporting both conservation and local livelihoods.
➡️ Read about our experience of going on an Olive Ridley Turtle Nesting Tour in Ostional.
Roaring Waterfalls
Costa Rica is a land of waterfalls and they are spread across the country.
As the seasonal rains feed into the numerous streams and rivers across Costa Rica, the country’s waterfalls become more powerful and striking.
🌳💦 We like the waterfall hiking trails that often meander through dense rainforests teeming with wildlife.
These are some of the waterfalls which we liked visiting during rainy season:
- Nauyaca Waterfalls: Probably our top pick for its wide and fuller falls.
- Catarata del Toro and other waterfalls of Bajos del Toro.
- La Fortuna Waterfalls in La Fortuna.
❗️ During the rainy season, you may not be allowed to swim or go very close to the waterfalls, but the sights of the gushing waterfalls are majestic.
See below, two pictures of the upper falls of Nauyaca Waterfalls, the first one in rainy season and the last one from dry season. Which one do you like more?
Adventure Activities
The rains also makes some of the adventure activities more exciting.
🏄🏽 If you are an expert surfer or want to try advanced level rafting, rainy season is the ideal time to be in Costa Rica.
Also, zip-lining in Monteverde can be a different experience as you fly through clouds above the cloud forest canopy.
What Months are Rainy Season in Costa Rica?
The rainy season in Costa Rica generally extends from May to November in most parts of the country.
🌦️ While it rains most of the days during this period, there are certain weather patterns that changes by months and regions.
Here is a table summarizing the rainy season timeline, regional differences, and key travel considerations.
| Month | Rainfall Characteristics | By Region | Travel Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| May – June | Beginning of rainy season. Afternoon or evening showers. Mornings are mostly dry. | Central Valley & Pacific Coast: Light, predictable rains. Caribbean: Moderate rainfall throughout. | Great for lush landscapes. Mostly accessible roads. Good for tourism. |
| July – August | Moderate rain with possible short dry spells in July (‘veranillo’ or ‘mini summer’) | All regions: Afternoon rains. Guanacaste: Relatively dry. Caribbean: Consistent rainfall. | Mini summer in July. Good for outdoor activities in the mornings. |
| September – October | Peak rainy season; Heavy, consistent rains (afternoon and sometimes and night). | Central Valley & Pacific Coast: Intense rains. Caribbean: Moderate rainfall but manageable. | Challenging for travel to remote areas; Fullest waterfalls. |
| November | Gradual tapering of rains. Unpredictable mix of sunny and rainy days. | Transition phase, drier days in most regions. Caribbean: Slightly wetter than Pacific Coast. | Easier travel conditions Lush scenery starting to shift. |
Is it Worth Going to Costa Rica during the Rainy Season?
Yes, Costa Rica looks most beautiful with the green foliage during this season.
If you can set expectations right and be flexible about travel plans due to weather conditions, you will have an amazing time in Costa Rica during rainy season.
Having said that, nature is unpredictable and with worldwide climate changes, disruptions may occur and certain tours may get cancelled.
And, that is where flexibility in plans will help you prepare better.
☔️ Be prepared to get wet, pack the right apparels and footwear, and bring rain gear. Refer to our Costa Rica Rainy Season Packing List.
Travel Resources
- Flights: Skyscanner
- Hotels: Booking.com | Expedia
- Tours: Viator | GetYourGuide
- Travel Insurance:
- Heymondo (get 5% off)
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
- eSIMs:
- Transfers: Bookaway. Code PARADISE5 for 5% off
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