January in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Weather Guide: Month-to-Month Breakdown by Destination

Costa Rica, a tropical paradise located in Central America, boasts a diverse climate that varies significantly from month to month. This Costa Rica weather guide will help you understand the weather patterns across different regions, ensuring you plan your trip at the perfect time.

Whether you’re planning a beach vacation, a rainforest adventure, or a cultural exploration, understanding the Costa Rican weather can help you make the most of your trip.

From the sunny beaches of the Northern Pacific to the lush rainforests of the Caribbean Coast, the weather in Costa Rica plays a crucial role in shaping your travel experiences.

Let’s get into the month-by-month breakdown of Costa Rican weather across key destinations: Caribbean Coast, Arenal Volcano Region, Central Valley, Central and South Pacific, Northern Pacific, and Monteverde.

January

General: January marks the beginning of the dry season, with sunny and warm weather and average temperatures ranging from 75°F to 90°F (24°C to 32°C).

Caribbean Coast: Expect occasional rain despite the dry season elsewhere. Temperatures are warm and humid.

Arenal Volcano Region: This area experiences its rainy season, so expect rain showers.

Central Valley: sunny and warm, with comfortable temperatures perfect for exploring San José and surrounding areas.

Central and South Pacific: Warm and mostly dry, ideal for beach activities and exploring rainforests.

Northern Pacific: sunny, warm, and dry—perfect for beachgoers.

Monteverde: The windy season, with sunny skies, wet breezes, and frequent rainbows.

January is great in the North Pacific Region | Costa Rica Weather Guide

February

General: February continues with sunny days and clear skies, temperatures remaining consistent.

Caribbean Coast: occasional showers but mostly warm and humid.

Arenal Volcano | Costa Rica Weather Guide

Arenal Volcano Region: Still rainy, with some sunshine breaking through.

Central Valley: warm, sunny days with clear skies.

Central Valley | Costa Rica Weather Guide

Central and South Pacific: warm, dry, and perfect for outdoor activities.

Northern Pacific: continuation of sunny and warm weather.

Monteverde: The windy season continues, with clear skies and occasional rainbows.

March

General: The tail-end of the dry season, with bright sunshine and parched landscapes.

Caribbean Coast: Warm and humid, with less rain.

Arenal Volcano Region: Transitioning to sunnier weather.

Central Valley: consistently warm and sunny.

Central and South Pacific: warm with dry conditions.

South Pacific Coast | Costa Rica Weather Guide

Northern Pacific: sunny and warm, excellent for beach activities.

Monteverde: The windy season winds down, maintaining sunny skies and breezy conditions.

April

General: A transitional month with mostly sunny weather and occasional showers.

Caribbean Coast: Still experiencing rainy season showers.

Arenal Volcano Region: Occasional rain with increasing sunny days.

Central Valley: warm and sunny, occasional thunderstorms.

Central and South Pacific: warm, with occasional showers.

Northern Pacific: sunny and warm, preparing for the rainy season.

Manuel Antonio Beach in the Central Pacific | Costa Rica Weather Guide

Monteverde: The windy season ends, leading to wetter conditions with sunny breaks.

May

General: Beginning of the rainy season, characterized by thunderstorms and rain showers.

Caribbean Coast: Increasing rain showers.

Arenal Volcano Region: Regular thunderstorms and rain.

Central Valley: Warm, with frequent rain showers.

Central and South Pacific: regular rain showers, maintaining warm temperatures.

Northern Pacific: Start of the rainy season, with increasing showers.

Monteverde: Rainy season begins, with lush greenery and frequent rains.

It usually rains some hours and then it's beautiful and sunny | Costa Rica Weather Guide — It usually rains some hours and then it’s beautiful and sunny | Costa Rica Weather Guide

June

General: Typical rainy season month, with frequent rain showers and thunderstorms.

Caribbean Coast: continuous rain showers.

Arenal Volcano Region: Frequent rain, essential for lush vegetation.

Central Valley: regular rain showers and warm temperatures.

Central and South Pacific: frequent rain showers, maintaining lush vegetation.

Northern Pacific: Regular rain showers and thunderstorms.

Monteverde: The rainy season continues, enhancing the region’s lushness.

July

General: Part of the “little summer” or “veranillo,” a drier period within the rainy season.

Caribbean Coast: Slight reduction in rain, but still humid.

Arenal Volcano Region: Morning sun with afternoon showers.

Central Valley: sunny mornings and afternoon rains.

Central and South Pacific: sunny mornings, afternoon showers.

Northern Pacific: Less rain, with drier conditions.

Monteverde: Break from heavy rains, with sunny mornings and afternoon showers.

August

General: Continues the “little summer” trend, with sunny mornings and afternoon rain showers.

Caribbean Coast: Consistent rain with sunny breaks.

Arenal Volcano Region: Mix of sun and showers.

Central Valley: warm, with afternoon rains.

Central and South Pacific: morning sun, afternoon showers.

Northern Pacific: Drier conditions, ideal for outdoor activities.

Monteverde: Similar to July, with sunny mornings and showers later in the day.

September

General: Marks the end of the “little summer” and the beginning of the peak rainy season.

Caribbean Coast: Heavy rain showers and thunderstorms.

Arenal Volcano Region: frequent rain, active wildlife.

Central Valley: regular rain showers and warm temperatures.

Central and South Pacific: frequent rain showers and thunderstorms.

Northern Pacific: Regular rain showers and thunderstorms.

Monteverde: Peak rainy season, with lush greenery and frequent rains.

October

General: Typical rainy season month, with frequent rain showers and thunderstorms.

Caribbean Coast: continuous rain showers and humid conditions.

Arenal Volcano Region: frequent rain, lush landscapes.

Central Valley: regular rain showers and warm temperatures.

Central and South Pacific: continuous rain showers, active wildlife.

Northern Pacific: Regular rain showers and thunderstorms.

Monteverde: Lush and green, with continuous rain showers.

November

General: End of the rainy season, with decreasing rain showers and thunderstorms.

Caribbean Coast: Gradually decreasing rain showers.

Arenal Volcano Region: Less frequent rain, increasing sunny days.

Central Valley: reducing rain showers, warm temperatures.

Central and South Pacific: decreasing rain, preparing for the dry season.

Northern Pacific: Less frequent rain showers, warming up.

Monteverde: Start of the windy season, with wet breezes and sunny skies.

December

December is a weird month if you are in the higher areas of Costa Rica. On the Pacific Coast there will be an increase in the winds. And it gets quite sunny.

However, for the mountains, and the Central Valley is very windy, there is a permanent drizzle and lots of rainbows. It is the favorite month of the year for many Costa Ricans.

General: Beginning of the dry season, with sunny days and clear skies.

Caribbean Coast: occasional rain, mostly sunny.

Arenal Volcano Region: Mix of sun and occasional rain showers.

Central Valley: sunny, warm days.

Central and South Pacific: sunny and warm, ideal for outdoor activities.

Northern Pacific: sunny and warm, perfect for beachgoers.

Monteverde: Windy season in full swing, with wet breezes and sunny skies, frequent rainbows.

Conclusion

Whether you’re soaking up the sun on the Northern Pacific beaches, exploring the rainforests of the Caribbean Coast, or hiking through the vibrant landscapes of Monteverde, being prepared for the Costa Rican weather will enhance your experience.

Embrace the natural beauty and diverse climate of this stunning country, and make your adventure unforgettable.

By understanding these weather patterns, you can plan your activities and destinations in Costa Rica more effectively. Enjoy your adventure in this diverse and beautiful country!

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January in Costa Rica

January in Costa Rica is among the best months for any traveler. It has clear skies, warm days, and strong winds. It changes from one region to the next, of course, but in general, it is sunny, although fresh, as trade winds cross over Costa Rica, creating currents that cool off even the hottest areas.

Sun dried coffee in January in Costa Rica

Spending the Winter in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica in January can be different from one region to the next, and this is just a guideline. Microclimates can be unpredictable at times.

Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica in January can be rainy

Tortuguero, Limon Port, Cahuita, Cocles, and Puerto Viejo are in the rainy season, with 17 rainy days and 12.6 in . (320 mm) .

Temperatures go from 21.1 °C | 70°F to 28.8 °C | 84 °F.

Northern Region of Costa Rica in January may also be rainy

La Fortuna, Sarapiqui, Rio Celeste, and Boca Tapada are in the rainy season, with 12 rainy days and 6.8 in (112 mm). 9

Temperatures go from 21°C (69.8°F) to 29°C (84.2°F).

Central Valley of Costa Rica in January

San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, and San Ramon are in the sunny season, with 6 rainy days and 2.19 in (36 mm).

Temperatures go from 18.9°C (66°F.) to 23.2°C (73.8°F).

Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in January

Guanacaste, Herradura, Manuel Antonio, Uvita, and Osa are in the sunny season, with 6 rainy days and 2.19 in (36 mm).

In Monteverde, in January is the windy season, and wind can become an issue to do some activities like ziplining, and even hiking. Although, the forest is absolutely breathtaking in this time of year, and the sunsets from Monteverde are the best.

Temperatures go from 22.9°C (73.2°F) to 30.3°C (86.5°F).

WILDLIFE IN JANUARY IN COSTA RICA

Birdwatching in Costa Rica in January

At this period of year, the 252 seasonal bird species in Costa Rica are enjoying the warm weather and abundance of food.

At this time of year, many resident and attractive migratory species can be seen. However, January on the Caribbean of Costa Rica is rainy season, and on the Pacific side it is very windy, which makes birding harder. You can also find below some of the usual wildlife you may see in Costa Rica in January.

TURTLES

Olive Ridley, Leatherback, and Green Sea Turtles are on the Pacific Coast.

No turtle nesting on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica at the beginning of the year. The forest looks amazing though!

Sea Turtles in Costa Rica in January

WHALES

Northern Hemisphere whales are in the area in this time of year. Although, it’s easier to see them in the Northen Pacific than in the South Pacific area of Costa Rica. (The whale season for the South Pacific is from August to October, when the Southern whales come here for their winter.)

Humpback Whales in Costa Rica in January

FROGS

Visible all year round, throughout the whole country. In january though, if you are in the Northen Pacific region and on the beach, it’ll be harder to spot them as it is very hot and dry for frogs in January.

Frogs in Costa Rica in January

MONKEYS

Visible all year round, depending on where you are you will see one or another species. In some even all of them.

DOLPHINS

Visible all year round.

MIGRATORY BIRDS

Migratory birds are in Costa Rica in January.

RESPLENDENT QUETZAL

Hard to spot the quetzal in January, as they migrate to lower areas and are not nesting.

SCARLET MACAWS

Visible all year round

TOUCANS

All species are visible all year round.

HUMMINGBIRDS

Visible all year round.

SLOTHS

Visible all year round. Although in January in Costa Rica it may be easier in some areas as when it is warm they move much more. Sometimes when it’s raining they just look like a ball of fur up there.

CROCODILES

Visible all year round

THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY

COSTA RICAN PEOPLE

In January, it is the summer for Costa Rica. Public schools are out, and families use this time to go out to the beach and the most popular places.

Especially on the weekends, the last week of December, and the first week of January, you will see all sizes of families around the beaches and forests all throughout Costa Rica, the closer to the Central Valley, the crowder.

You will find families and groups of friends on the beach and in national parks and preserves.

HIGH SEASON

January in Costa Rica is very busy.

A lot of people come for vacation, but also, many visitors stay for longer periods, running away from the cold.

If your holidays are in January, we recommend you to reserve as soon as possible and way in advance. It is hard to find accommodations sometimes!

Cruiseships come to Costa Rica in January.

January is the sunny season and peak season, with cruise ships visiting all of the country’s major ports and bringing crowds to both coasts on occasion.

There may be some waiting time on the boat in Tortuguero for the National Park Canals tours.

There may be long lines at the National Park entrances to Manuel Antonio and the Monteverde Reserves.

If you are more comfortable away from crowds, my recco is to go for areas off the beaten track, like the area of Los Santos, Arenal Lake, Perez Zeledon, and many others that I will talk about in future podcasts and articles.

BLOOMING TREES

January in Costa Rica is magnificent due to the many blooming trees everywhere!

Yellow Pui in January in Costa Rica

The Sabana Oak, also known as the Pink Pui, is blooming, and if you happen to drive by San Jose, we fully recommend taking Rohrmoser Boulevard to see a breathtaking pink landscape along the main avenue.

The Poro Poro, or Flame of the Forest, is the most appealing at this time of year. These trees were used to shade the coffee and have lost their leaves and blossomed with bright orange/red flowers, creating a fantastic green and orange landscape that is difficult to forget.

Another tree that begins to bloom at this time of year is the Yellow Cortez, which is the source of the famous ironwood. As the name implies, the tree blooms with bright yellow flowers that complement the fantastic landscapes of the orange poro poro trees.

Coffee Picking in January in Costa Rica

Agriculture: Coffee picking and processing are still ongoing. It’s an excellent time for coffee tours as you may get to see the whole process, from the second or third round of picking to the complete process of fermentation, choosing, and drying.

The usual tropical fruits are available all year: banana, pineapple, and papaya. Mangoes are off season, unfortunately. You can still get them, but they will be more expensive.

Oranges might not be as sweet as tangerines.

Soursop, avocados, plantains, watermelons, and kiwis are also available.

To Wrap It Up:

Costa Rica in January is absolutely fantastic! BUT SO IS THE REST OF THE YEAR! We will be talking about Costa Rica month to month in future posts.