Costa Rica in April is sunny and full of colors. Many trees bloom, and the jacarandas compete with the Pink Puis to turn the Central Valley into a glorious painting. The country boasts its beauty in this month more than in any other!
Anyone who has toured Costa Rica will say that it is worthwhile to visit at any time of year. And, as it has such a variety of microclimates, it all depends on what you like best; except for the extremes, we got it all!
However, April may be the best month to visit our country, as it is simply breathtaking!
Costa Rica in April has perfect weather. It is sunny, a bit breezy, and wonderful in all senses. There may be a couple of rains, but it is only the announcement of the new coming season. In general, it is a great time to come!
It is also the season for bird chicks to get out of their nests and learn to fly. A busy time in the wilderness. And, if you are lucky enough, you may even get the first rains of the season and see life coming back in many areas!
And although the peak tourist season begins when the dry season begins, which also coincides with winter break and New Year’s.
The other peak season also coincides with the end of the beginning of the rainy season. Semana Santa (Easter Week) is the other busiest time of year as Latin Americans, including Costa Ricans, take vacations to travel. And for the US and Canada, it is spring break.
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is an event that typically occurs in April. It is the week preceding Easter Sunday filled with religious processions and celebrations.
For 2025 the dates of Easter are: Sun, Apr 13, 2025 – Sat, Apr 19, 2025.
So! If your holidays for 2025 are on this week, now you know you better, call your travel designer right now as hotels fill up incredibly fast!
If you’re looking for warm weather and a place with beaches, adventure, and the attractions of a tropical vacation, April in Costa Rica has a lot to offer.
However, it’s vital to be mindful of some things because the high season is in full swing.
Let’s talk about seasons in Costa Rica:
We don’t have seasons as the temperature doesn’t change much, as you may already know. Mainly, the changes apply to if it is raining or not.
April is one of the months when the whole country is in a sunny period. And although it will vary from one place to the next according to region, height above sea level, wind, and other variables, April is a very friendly month to come to Costa Rica.
Keep in mind that the temperature in the tropics is uncertain, so there might be some cooler or rainy days in April. But it would be as weird as all changes we are getting these days.
Nevertheless, it also is the hottest month of the year, with temperatures regularly reaching the mid-’90s. Fortunately, Costa Rica’s coasts are a wonderfully refreshing antidote to the interior’s steamy heat.
Of course, it is essential to realize that because of its geographical location and the many mountains there are over 5000 feet above sea level, you will find that except for the coastal regions and the northern lowlands, almost all of Costa Rica has delightful weather with an average temperature of 71°F (22°C).
Let’s look at some additional elements of April in Costa Rica:
Agriculture:
In April, mangos are beginning to appear in the trees. They can be eaten with salt and lemon; it’s a treat!
Strawberries, cantaloupes, guavas, watermelons, rambutan, and tamarind are in season, as are star and passion fruits.
It is the end of the sugar cane season; some heavy and bulky sugar cane loaded trucks may be on some North and Pacific roads.
Trees are in bloom! Jacarandas, Pink Puis, Yellow Cortes, Royal Poinsettia, and African Tulips. Star Fruits and passion fruits are in season.
You may find other fruits in the fruit stands on the road and in supermarkets, cantaloupes, watermelons, guavas, strawberries, rambutan, and tamarind.
Wildlife sightings in Costa Rica in April:
Obviously Costa Rican nature does not operate as a zoo; sightings are based mainly on chance. However, many animals in Costa Rica can be seen all year, including sloths, monkeys, coatimundis, and over 600 species, including 50 types of hummingbirds and six types of toucans.
It is important to note that Costa Rica accounts for over 900 species of birds; however, migratory birds are already flying back home in April.
Turtles
Turtles come to Costa Rica by the millions, literally speaking.
However, and unfortunately, April is not the best time to spot them. If you are fortunate, you may see one of the enormous leatherback sea turtles, the biggest in the world, on the Caribbean coast.
Either in Tortuguero or Gandoca, in the south. However, these are sporadic sightings.
On the Pacific Coast you may be lucky enough to witness an arribada in Ostional Beach, or similar. It is a random phenomenon, and you may have to cancel previous plans to go see it, but it is worth it!
Dolphins
You can see them all year long. Several species, including bottlenose and spotted dolphins, can be seen throughout the year, so you have a good chance of seeing them.
Depending on where you are staying, there are several catamarans and sailing boats, so the chance to see big schools of dolphins are high. Ask your travel designer about the best places to see dolphins.
The best places to go dolphin watching in Costa Rica:
- Tamarindo and surroundings.
- Drake Bay
- Tambor
- Golfo Dulce
- Golfo de Nicoya
- Dominical (Parque Marino Ballena)
- Caribbean: Limon and South Caribbean
- *Some lucky people have seen dolphins in the Tortuguero Canals
Whales
Costa Rica is the winter place for the Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whales, and so, April is not a good time to see them. (Their winter is July, August, September).
However, you may be quite lucky and spot some of the California Whales that come to Central America looking for warmer waters. Not usual in April, though.
Birdwatching in April in Costa Rica
Resplendent Quetzal
In April, Monteverde and Savegre and other high regions of the mountain ranges will be visible. It is the moment of the year when species are mating and looking for eggs and young. The mating dances and songs are in full swing, and the feathers and noises can be spectacular.
Species that migrate
The 252 migratory bird species are already flying back North, and our forests seem to miss some of the many mixed flock members that are noticeable in the sunny season.
Usual Costa Rican Birds
It’s a great time to go bird watching because March is nesting season, and April is juvenile. They emerge from their nests and can be seen flying for the first time in various locations, using their brand-new wings.
The remaining bird species can be seen all year.
Toucans
Costa Rica is habitat to six different toucan species. Keel-billed toucans, as well as Black and Keel Mandibuled Mandibuled Mandibuled Mandibuled Mandibuled Mandibuled Mandibuled Mandibuled Mandibuled The Emerald Toucanet can be found in high elevations like Monteverde.
The golden-eared Eared Toucanet is hard to spot. They are visible all year. The black-mandibled toucan and the keel-billed toucan are relatively common sightings along the Caribbean Coast and in the northern area. They can also be seen in mountain areas such as Monteverde and Turrialba. Collared Aracaris can be seen in these lowlands, despite not being found in the highest elevations.
Costa Rica’s Central and South Pacific are home to fiery-billed Aracaris. Yellow-eared toucans and Emerald Toucanets can be found in the mountains of Guanacaste, near the Caribbean and Monteverde.
Costa Rica in April – The Travel Industry
Due to the conservation of National Parks and reserves and the pandemic, the number of persons permitted to visit some of these locations can be pretty limited.
And if you are driving, it is important for you to know that there are already many National Parks that are not selling their entrance tickets on-site, but online, so it’s a good idea to keep this information in mind and discuss it with your travel designer.
Cruises
Cruise ships travel to Costa Rica in April. This is important to know if you intend to visit the Crocodile Safari in Tarcoles River, Carara National Park, the Pacific Aerial Tram, Monteverde Reserve in the Monteverde area, or Hanging Bridges, Coffee Tour.
Many people will also be in Monteverde, Arenal, Tamarindo, and Manuel Antonio. Tour operators and tour companies are ready for this, and it’s all well structured in general.
And in the area of the Caribbean, some of the adventure sites like ziplines, tubing, or kayaking may be crowded on cruise days.
Surfing:
From January to April, chilly winter fronts press into the Caribbean every now and then creating the enormous and continuous waves.
To enjoy the benefits of the waves in Costa Rica in April, Salsa Brava is at its peak in Puerto Viejo, in the South Caribbean.
To wrap it up:
If you want to get away, coming to Costa Rica in April is a beautiful idea because it will offer some warm sunny rays and allow you to relax in the exotic destinations that the country provides. And although it is high season, it is not considered peak season (Except for the Eater week).
Places will have a constant flow of people on the trails and the beach and the hotels and lodges, but the weather is breathtakingly beautiful.
If you are traveling to Costa Rica April, especially before or during Easter Week, reserve your hotel, or place to stay as of now, whenever you are reading this. It’s urgent!
And if you can move it for after Easter, you will see the best of Costa Rica, pristine and empty.
Keep on reading to find when is the best time to come to Costa Rica!
