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HomeBlogAbout Costa RicaCosta Rica  in the Rainy Season: The Things You Should Know

Costa Rica  in the Rainy Season: The Things You Should Know

Costa Rica in the rainy season is simply breathtaking! The colors are incredibly intense, and the country seems to glow under a million water droplets over the leaves and trees.

 

Green coast | Costa Rica in the rainy season
Cahuita Green coast | Costa Rica in the rainy season

Costa Rica is a genuine paradise. All year round. Its contrasting colors, its vibrancy, the transparency of the air in the mountains, and the soft warmth of the ocean waters make it a place that offers a banquet to all senses and beyond.

One of the most important questions people ask us is, “When is the best time to come to Costa Rica?”.

The unavoidable and most honest answers would have to be:

“Whenever you can come, Costa Rica is always very beautiful. However, if you can choose any time of year, it may be exactly this time of year: May, the first two weeks.”

In Costa Rica, the agriculturists have a saying: “If by May 20th it hasn’t rained, it will not rain at all”. So, yes, it is the start of the rainy season, but we still have sunny mornings, the weather is quite fresh, and everything seems to be renewing itself!

On the other side, of course, there is the sunny season.

You will find that the best time to visit in order to see everything in full comfort and joy is during the sunny season. Hot, clear air, the skies as blue as can be, the oceans are azure, and the forests delight in bird songs and rustling leaves moved by the wind.

Yeahp… nope.

Well, yes, but no.

What do I mean by this?

In the sunny season, there are other facts that can put a different light on your trip: long lines and incredibly high temperatures (always combined with humidity; we cannot skip the fact that we are in the tropics), hikes tend to be harder, and sometimes wildlife hidden in the shade turns simply invisible. At times, rivers are empty, and the possibilities for good rafting are scarce.

On the other side, well! Climate change is a bummer, isn’t it?  Costa Rica in the sunny season may also be rainy and stormy. The weather is very unpredictable now.

Humans are not; Costa Rica in the sunny season is full of visitors. Lines are long, waiting times are eternal and hotel reservations are almost impossible.

So, well, then, is Costa Rica in the sunny season a better choice? Again, not really. Things are not as they seem at times.

 

 

Costa Rica in the rainy season | "Two Seasons"
Costa Rica in the rainy season | “Two Seasons”

Now, the main question would be: Is it worth it to travel to Costa Rica in the rainy season?

Is it worth it to reserve a vacation in Costa Rica during the rainy season?

As I said before, Costa Rica is always a paradise.   In the rainy season, though, and especially in this time of year (May), the country starts to shine, it freshens up, and thousands of green shades will escort your trip wherever you go. When we say “pura Vida, pure life, we think about the rainy season, which is the time when life teems in the forests.

It is a beautiful and very dramatic time to come.

For me, May is the best time to come to my country. It is beautiful, shining, fresh, long lines stayed in the sunny months, and everything seems to be taking a respite. Even the animals in the rainforest seem more relaxed.

However, the sensation lasts throughout the whole season. In a world where water seems to be extremely scarce, we, the Costa Ricans, don’t even notice how blessed we are to get these powerful and intense rains on our roofs, roads, and heads.

But there is more than the natural beauty of luscious landscapes.

A bit on the Costa Rica’s weather: 

As small as Costa Rica may be, it has a remarkable variety of microclimates.  The reasons for this complicated weather are pretty intricate, but we will summarize them in a straightforward way:

 

Costa Rica figurative map | Costa Rica in the rainy season

Just think of the country’s geographical position: it is truly a bridge between the two substantial continental masses and the two oceans. 

Because it is in the southern part of Central America, it gets to be more humid than Nicaragua, for instance, in the north.

And yes, having some of the highest mountains on this side of the isthmus allows for this incredible array of climates and significant biodiversity to thrive in the incredibly constant temperatures of the tropics.

We are probably in one of the most privileged places on Earth in so many ways that it is hard to count.

And blame it on the rain! As it goes from one ocean to the other, falling on our land on its way!

When is the rainy season in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica, the rainy season depends on where you go, of course!

I will have to put it this way: Costa Rica has two oceans, thus two zones of influence that behave incredibly differently but that turn out to be a great complement.

The Pacific, on one side, is on the west; this means that it flows towards the other side of our country, towards Asia, so to speak. While the Caribbean winds flow over Costa Rica.

This creates a much more humid environment the further east of Costa Rica you are. However, because of our mountains, which are like a spine along the length of Costa Rica, the sunny, dry weather of the Pacific has a chance.

If you go to places like Monteverde (in the Monteverde Reserve, there is actually a good sign with this), you will find that the “Continental Divide” goes by the mountains, creating an imaginary split: All rivers from each side go to one or the other ocean. .

The Caribbean influence takes the northern plains at the back of Rincon de la Vieja and Tenorio Volcano (Rio Celeste), the Turrialba Valley, and, of course, the Caribbean Coast and the eastern side of the Central Valley.

In the Caribbean and the Northern Plains of Costa Rica, the rainy season goes from November to February and again from May to August.

Or, simply put, the sunny season has two periods in the Costa Rican Caribbean: March and April and September and October.

While in the rest of the country (the center and all of the Pacific Coast and mountains), the rainy season in Costa Rica goes from May to November. 

We must add that December, January, and early February are the windy months. At the peak of the mountains, Rincon de la Vieja, Monteverde, the area of Los Santos, and La Amistad on the border with Panama get ferocious winds at this time of year.

These winds are frequently charged with water from the Caribbean, which turns into drizzles on the mountains.

"Ocean Dreamin" | Costa Rica in the rainy season
“Ocean Dreamin” | Costa Rica in the rainy season

A bit about the dry tropical forest. The dry tropical forest is deciduous, meaning trees lose their leaves during the dry months. The North Pacific region of Costa Rica is one of the few remaining areas where there is still neotropical dry forest. It is a fantastic living system with unique features and is quite endangered.

And although even in the drier areas of Costa Rica, you will always see green patches, some landscapes turn naturally sepia.

So, as you can see, if you are coming to Costa Rica, send me a note. I may be able to point you in the right direction so that you can create an itinerary to fully enjoy the rainy season.

Enjoy the rainy season. Oh yes! It may well be the most enjoyable time in Costa Rica!

 

 

Now, let me give you 12 reasons why coming to Costa Rica in the rainy season may be a fantastic idea!

 

  1. The rainy season in Costa Rica is beautiful.

I cannot say enough about the beauty of Costa Rica in the rainy season. So much so that the name has evolved into “the green season.”

Tears in nature (Private Collection) | Costa Rica in the rainy season
Tears in nature (Private Collection) | Costa Rica in the rainy season

You can even notice it in the air. You will indeed notice the difference as your plane enters Costa Rican airspace. The landscapes turn bright green. It truly glows. As you arrive in the country, you will notice that the skies are partially cloudy but brilliant in the rainy season. And it mainly rains in the afternoons.

However, Costa Rica truly shines in the rainy season!

Something else that happens in the rainy season is that a lot of plants and shrubs bloom in this time, and although in our land flowers are always fresh and available, in the rainy season their colors seem more vibrant and there are plenty more blooms.

  1. It doesn’t rain that much.

Even in the rainier months, except for those days when a hurricane is around, you will notice it mainly rains late in the afternoon.

On the Pacific side, in September and October, there can be days of continuous rain, but you may see the sun if you take your vacation on the Caribbean side! Which is as luscious as it gets! And even in the drier times! And teeming with wildlife at this time of year!

  1. Rain does not feel cold.

But then again, there’s nothing like a good walk in the rain while in the tropics, where the rain and the ocean are warm, and getting soaking wet can be so much fun!

If there is no electric storm, getting wet in the rain can be a fantastic experience. Play in the poodles and have as much fun as you can because vacation is a chance to be a kid again!

When my children were small, we used to wait for the first pouring rains in the rainy season and we would go and play for a while, then, I would cuddle them with hot chocolate and a good movie. You can always do that in Costa Rica, as long as there is no electric storm! 

  1. Wildlife may be more visible after a good pour.

Not everything is luscious, but there is plenty of food in the forest. In these months, several trees bear fruit.

So, when it has poured, especially if there have been a couple of hours of solid rain, the wildlife is hungry and ready to dry itself in the sun that shines after a good rain in the tropics.

It is a fantastic sight!

Neon Iguana | Costa Rica in the rainy season
Neon Iguana | Costa Rica in the rainy season

 

  1. Sunsets are very dramatic.

While sunsets in the sunny season tend to be more pink and orange, with humidity in the air, sunsets become extremely dramatic, filling the sky with reds and purples.

Wherever you are in Costa Rica, (Out of the cities of course), you will find great spots to see sunsets. Places where locals go and sit with the visitors. At the beaches is a huge tradition, but even in the mountains, like in Monteverde you will find outlooks to enjoy the dramatic colors.

  1. It’s less busy.

OK, let’s face it. Usually, the rainy season is misunderstood, and people think it will be raining and cold all day long.

Also, the time of year of the rainy season coincides with the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and the usual tourists don’t travel as much during this time. However, it is a great time to travel in families, groups of friends, couples, or solo.

Cosmic Mushrooms (Private Collection) | Costa Rica in the rainy season
Cosmic Mushrooms (Private Collection) | Costa Rica in the rainy season

You will find the hiking trails to be quieter and nicer. As you will discover, hotels are easier, and service comes to be personalized and extremely friendly.

More affordable – never cheap- but more affordable

You will find weeks and even months when hotels, tours, and even flights are much more affordable from May to November. There are tons of different promotions for hotels and tours.

Nowadays, Junes, July and even August are considered to be pretty high in the amount of reservations we get, but September in the Caribbean for instance is as dry as can be and hotels are empty and full of good prices.

  1. Go through the amazement of a tropical downpour.

The experience is unforgettable! It is a noisy and quite impressive natural demonstration, especially if you are lucky and have a tin roof (The most usual roof in CR) on the top of your bungalow or homestay. And it is so worth waiting for one of these to happen. The best places to witness them are the lowlands, where rain falls in incredible amounts.

Tropical downpours and severe thunderstorms happen suddenly and are pretty fast. Depending on where you are, you may sometimes see them as they pass by the region where you are.

  1. The ocean has the best visibility.

If you’re a scuba diver, some of the best sites are only accessible or have the best visibility during the rainy season. As long as you are a bit away from the sediments of incoming rivers, the water is incredibly clear at this time of year.

And it is a great time to see whales and dolphins too! Whales come from the Southern Hemisphere to give birth in the warm waters of our coastlines!

Cosmic Jaguar | Costa Rica in the rainy season
Cosmic Jaguar | Costa Rica in the rainy season
  1. Your bucket list may be for the rainy season only.

You can only enjoy some events in the rainy season, such as looking at a green sea turtle laying eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero or witnessing a Southern Hemisphere humpback whale with a calf jumping out of the water near where you are.

Sea turtles come to nest on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts during this period, making it “turtle season.”

  1. Rain helps bring the temperature down.

The rainy season is a very relaxing time of year. Even in the coastal areas, a fresh breeze will be blowing, and the rain will freshen up the environment. and even cools it off.

12. There are times when it doesn’t rain at all!

Discover the “veranillo de San Juan” that happens in late June and early July.

This is a relatively unpredictable sunny period that sometimes starts on St. John’s Day (July 24th), and sometimes it happens much later in the year. Our suggestion is not to plan around this “mini sunny season,” but let yourself be surprised by it if you come in July!

  1. Rain fills the rivers, making it the best time for whitewater rafting.

This is the best time to enjoy whitewater rafting! Keeping it safe, the rivers are full and more fun than at any other time of the year. Some rivers cannot be run at any other time.

You will be immersed in a typical humid tropical climate and truly feel like you are in the jungle!

Maybe it’s the humidity, or the sounds, or the mosquitoes… This is the time of year when you really feel like you’re in the jungle.

Some important things to know and do while on vacation in the rainy season in Costa Rica:

 

  • Plan for the mornings—the earlier, the better. Remember, in Costa Rica, sunrise happens around 5:30 a.m. all year round. Plan to wake up early and cuddle up for naps in the rainy afternoons.
  • Make your vacations your first and last destination, close to the international airport. In the rainy season, roads may be blocked due to landslides. It is better to play it safe.
  • You don’t have to pre-book all of your activities if you prefer to wait and see how the weather is.
  • Bring bug repellent with you. Mosquitoes are particularly bothersome during the wet season.
  • Pack accordingly. Carry waterproof apparel in case of unexpected rain. It’s a good idea to have a dry bag with you.
  • Keep a rain jacket on hand at all times.
  • Remember to bring sunscreen. The sun shines brightly even when it is overcast.

    Purple Magic | Costa Rica in the rainy season
    Purple Magic | Costa Rica in the rainy season 7 23×23″ (60×60 cm) (available)

 

Renting a car in the rainy season:

  • If you intend on renting a car, rent a GPS or use Waze or Google Maps on your phone. It isn’t easy to read road signs when it’s pouring outside. You don’t want to become lost or stranded in a thunderstorm. It’s also important to buy a Costa Rican pre-paid SIM card so that you can call home in an emergency.
  • Avoid taking the quickest route or taking that detour while using GPS. Most of the time, it’s on an unpaved road. If you miss a turn, return to the main road. Take the paved route whenever possible and keep an eye out for road conditions.
  • If you intend to explore or stay in locations other than the main tourist sites, rent a 4×4 or 4WD.
A walk by the garde | Costa Rica in the rainy season
A walk by the garden | Costa Rica in the rainy season

Things to bring in the rainy season:

  • Power may go out in some locations during rain or thunderstorms. Bring a portable charger to charge your phone and have it charged at all times.
  • Bring a rechargeable headlight or flashlight that will also come in handy.
  • Good waterproof hiking boots.
  • Socks and more socks. They will get wet, muddy, and stinky. Treat them as disposables.

 

In conclusion

The best plan is to get in touch with someone who knows Costa Rica and the travel industry here to customize your holiday and make it perfect for you and your family. However, we hope that this post will be helpful for you to enjoy it as much as it can in Costa Rica during the rainy season.

You can also send me an email at olga@olgasaenz.com, and I may be able to help.

I am not a travel agent, but I kind of know the place and know some pretty good experts in the subject. Send me an email to olga@olgasaenz.com

 

About Olga Sáenz:   I am a painter, web writer, blogger, retired naturalist tour guide, adventurer, ex-traveler, metalhead, ACIM student, and happy free spirit. I love to share my knowledge with visitors to my country, and my art with art lovers from wherever you are.

Thank you for visiting my site and reading my blog

Costa Rica in the rainy season is simply breathtaking! The colors are incredibly intense, and the country seems to glow under a million water droplets over the leaves and trees.

 

Green coast | Costa Rica in the rainy season
Cahuita Green coast | Costa Rica in the rainy season

Costa Rica is a genuine paradise. All year round. Its contrasting colors, its vibrancy, the transparency of the air in the mountains, and the soft warmth of the ocean waters make it a place that offers a banquet to all senses and beyond.

One of the most important questions people ask us is, “When is the best time to come to Costa Rica?”.

The unavoidable and most honest answers would have to be:

“Whenever you can come, Costa Rica is always very beautiful. However, if you can choose any time of year, it may be exactly this time of year: May, the first two weeks.”

In Costa Rica, the agriculturists have a saying: “If by May 20th it hasn’t rained, it will not rain at all”. So, yes, it is the start of the rainy season, but we still have sunny mornings, the weather is quite fresh, and everything seems to be renewing itself!

On the other side, of course, there is the sunny season.

You will find that the best time to visit in order to see everything in full comfort and joy is during the sunny season. Hot, clear air, the skies as blue as can be, the oceans are azure, and the forests delight in bird songs and rustling leaves moved by the wind.

Yeahp… nope.

Well, yes, but no.

What do I mean by this?

In the sunny season, there are other facts that can put a different light on your trip: long lines and incredibly high temperatures (always combined with humidity; we cannot skip the fact that we are in the tropics), hikes tend to be harder, and sometimes wildlife hidden in the shade turns simply invisible. At times, rivers are empty, and the possibilities for good rafting are scarce.

On the other side, well! Climate change is a bummer, isn’t it?  Costa Rica in the sunny season may also be rainy and stormy. The weather is very unpredictable now.

Humans are not; Costa Rica in the sunny season is full of visitors. Lines are long, waiting times are eternal and hotel reservations are almost impossible.

So, well, then, is Costa Rica in the sunny season a better choice? Again, not really. Things are not as they seem at times.

 

 

Costa Rica in the rainy season | "Two Seasons"
Costa Rica in the rainy season | “Two Seasons”

Now, the main question would be: Is it worth it to travel to Costa Rica in the rainy season?

Is it worth it to reserve a vacation in Costa Rica during the rainy season?

As I said before, Costa Rica is always a paradise.   In the rainy season, though, and especially in this time of year (May), the country starts to shine, it freshens up, and thousands of green shades will escort your trip wherever you go. When we say “pura Vida, pure life, we think about the rainy season, which is the time when life teems in the forests.

It is a beautiful and very dramatic time to come.

For me, May is the best time to come to my country. It is beautiful, shining, fresh, long lines stayed in the sunny months, and everything seems to be taking a respite. Even the animals in the rainforest seem more relaxed.

However, the sensation lasts throughout the whole season. In a world where water seems to be extremely scarce, we, the Costa Ricans, don’t even notice how blessed we are to get these powerful and intense rains on our roofs, roads, and heads.

But there is more than the natural beauty of luscious landscapes.

A bit on the Costa Rica’s weather: 

As small as Costa Rica may be, it has a remarkable variety of microclimates.  The reasons for this complicated weather are pretty intricate, but we will summarize them in a straightforward way:

 

Costa Rica figurative map | Costa Rica in the rainy season

Just think of the country’s geographical position: it is truly a bridge between the two substantial continental masses and the two oceans. 

Because it is in the southern part of Central America, it gets to be more humid than Nicaragua, for instance, in the north.

And yes, having some of the highest mountains on this side of the isthmus allows for this incredible array of climates and significant biodiversity to thrive in the incredibly constant temperatures of the tropics.

We are probably in one of the most privileged places on Earth in so many ways that it is hard to count.

And blame it on the rain! As it goes from one ocean to the other, falling on our land on its way!

When is the rainy season in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica, the rainy season depends on where you go, of course!

I will have to put it this way: Costa Rica has two oceans, thus two zones of influence that behave incredibly differently but that turn out to be a great complement.

The Pacific, on one side, is on the west; this means that it flows towards the other side of our country, towards Asia, so to speak. While the Caribbean winds flow over Costa Rica.

This creates a much more humid environment the further east of Costa Rica you are. However, because of our mountains, which are like a spine along the length of Costa Rica, the sunny, dry weather of the Pacific has a chance.

If you go to places like Monteverde (in the Monteverde Reserve, there is actually a good sign with this), you will find that the “Continental Divide” goes by the mountains, creating an imaginary split: All rivers from each side go to one or the other ocean. .

The Caribbean influence takes the northern plains at the back of Rincon de la Vieja and Tenorio Volcano (Rio Celeste), the Turrialba Valley, and, of course, the Caribbean Coast and the eastern side of the Central Valley.

In the Caribbean and the Northern Plains of Costa Rica, the rainy season goes from November to February and again from May to August.

Or, simply put, the sunny season has two periods in the Costa Rican Caribbean: March and April and September and October.

While in the rest of the country (the center and all of the Pacific Coast and mountains), the rainy season in Costa Rica goes from May to November. 

We must add that December, January, and early February are the windy months. At the peak of the mountains, Rincon de la Vieja, Monteverde, the area of Los Santos, and La Amistad on the border with Panama get ferocious winds at this time of year.

These winds are frequently charged with water from the Caribbean, which turns into drizzles on the mountains.

"Ocean Dreamin" | Costa Rica in the rainy season
“Ocean Dreamin” | Costa Rica in the rainy season

A bit about the dry tropical forest. The dry tropical forest is deciduous, meaning trees lose their leaves during the dry months. The North Pacific region of Costa Rica is one of the few remaining areas where there is still neotropical dry forest. It is a fantastic living system with unique features and is quite endangered.

And although even in the drier areas of Costa Rica, you will always see green patches, some landscapes turn naturally sepia.

So, as you can see, if you are coming to Costa Rica, send me a note. I may be able to point you in the right direction so that you can create an itinerary to fully enjoy the rainy season.

Enjoy the rainy season. Oh yes! It may well be the most enjoyable time in Costa Rica!

 

 

Now, let me give you 12 reasons why coming to Costa Rica in the rainy season may be a fantastic idea!

 

  1. The rainy season in Costa Rica is beautiful.

I cannot say enough about the beauty of Costa Rica in the rainy season. So much so that the name has evolved into “the green season.”

Tears in nature (Private Collection) | Costa Rica in the rainy season
Tears in nature (Private Collection) | Costa Rica in the rainy season

You can even notice it in the air. You will indeed notice the difference as your plane enters Costa Rican airspace. The landscapes turn bright green. It truly glows. As you arrive in the country, you will notice that the skies are partially cloudy but brilliant in the rainy season. And it mainly rains in the afternoons.

However, Costa Rica truly shines in the rainy season!

Something else that happens in the rainy season is that a lot of plants and shrubs bloom in this time, and although in our land flowers are always fresh and available, in the rainy season their colors seem more vibrant and there are plenty more blooms.

  1. It doesn’t rain that much.

Even in the rainier months, except for those days when a hurricane is around, you will notice it mainly rains late in the afternoon.

On the Pacific side, in September and October, there can be days of continuous rain, but you may see the sun if you take your vacation on the Caribbean side! Which is as luscious as it gets! And even in the drier times! And teeming with wildlife at this time of year!

  1. Rain does not feel cold.

But then again, there’s nothing like a good walk in the rain while in the tropics, where the rain and the ocean are warm, and getting soaking wet can be so much fun!

If there is no electric storm, getting wet in the rain can be a fantastic experience. Play in the poodles and have as much fun as you can because vacation is a chance to be a kid again!

When my children were small, we used to wait for the first pouring rains in the rainy season and we would go and play for a while, then, I would cuddle them with hot chocolate and a good movie. You can always do that in Costa Rica, as long as there is no electric storm! 

  1. Wildlife may be more visible after a good pour.

Not everything is luscious, but there is plenty of food in the forest. In these months, several trees bear fruit.

So, when it has poured, especially if there have been a couple of hours of solid rain, the wildlife is hungry and ready to dry itself in the sun that shines after a good rain in the tropics.

It is a fantastic sight!

Neon Iguana | Costa Rica in the rainy season
Neon Iguana | Costa Rica in the rainy season

 

  1. Sunsets are very dramatic.

While sunsets in the sunny season tend to be more pink and orange, with humidity in the air, sunsets become extremely dramatic, filling the sky with reds and purples.

Wherever you are in Costa Rica, (Out of the cities of course), you will find great spots to see sunsets. Places where locals go and sit with the visitors. At the beaches is a huge tradition, but even in the mountains, like in Monteverde you will find outlooks to enjoy the dramatic colors.

  1. It’s less busy.

OK, let’s face it. Usually, the rainy season is misunderstood, and people think it will be raining and cold all day long.

Also, the time of year of the rainy season coincides with the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and the usual tourists don’t travel as much during this time. However, it is a great time to travel in families, groups of friends, couples, or solo.

Cosmic Mushrooms (Private Collection) | Costa Rica in the rainy season
Cosmic Mushrooms (Private Collection) | Costa Rica in the rainy season

You will find the hiking trails to be quieter and nicer. As you will discover, hotels are easier, and service comes to be personalized and extremely friendly.

More affordable – never cheap- but more affordable

You will find weeks and even months when hotels, tours, and even flights are much more affordable from May to November. There are tons of different promotions for hotels and tours.

Nowadays, Junes, July and even August are considered to be pretty high in the amount of reservations we get, but September in the Caribbean for instance is as dry as can be and hotels are empty and full of good prices.

  1. Go through the amazement of a tropical downpour.

The experience is unforgettable! It is a noisy and quite impressive natural demonstration, especially if you are lucky and have a tin roof (The most usual roof in CR) on the top of your bungalow or homestay. And it is so worth waiting for one of these to happen. The best places to witness them are the lowlands, where rain falls in incredible amounts.

Tropical downpours and severe thunderstorms happen suddenly and are pretty fast. Depending on where you are, you may sometimes see them as they pass by the region where you are.

  1. The ocean has the best visibility.

If you’re a scuba diver, some of the best sites are only accessible or have the best visibility during the rainy season. As long as you are a bit away from the sediments of incoming rivers, the water is incredibly clear at this time of year.

And it is a great time to see whales and dolphins too! Whales come from the Southern Hemisphere to give birth in the warm waters of our coastlines!

Cosmic Jaguar | Costa Rica in the rainy season
Cosmic Jaguar | Costa Rica in the rainy season
  1. Your bucket list may be for the rainy season only.

You can only enjoy some events in the rainy season, such as looking at a green sea turtle laying eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero or witnessing a Southern Hemisphere humpback whale with a calf jumping out of the water near where you are.

Sea turtles come to nest on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts during this period, making it “turtle season.”

  1. Rain helps bring the temperature down.

The rainy season is a very relaxing time of year. Even in the coastal areas, a fresh breeze will be blowing, and the rain will freshen up the environment. and even cools it off.

12. There are times when it doesn’t rain at all!

Discover the “veranillo de San Juan” that happens in late June and early July.

This is a relatively unpredictable sunny period that sometimes starts on St. John’s Day (July 24th), and sometimes it happens much later in the year. Our suggestion is not to plan around this “mini sunny season,” but let yourself be surprised by it if you come in July!

  1. Rain fills the rivers, making it the best time for whitewater rafting.

This is the best time to enjoy whitewater rafting! Keeping it safe, the rivers are full and more fun than at any other time of the year. Some rivers cannot be run at any other time.

You will be immersed in a typical humid tropical climate and truly feel like you are in the jungle!

Maybe it’s the humidity, or the sounds, or the mosquitoes… This is the time of year when you really feel like you’re in the jungle.

Some important things to know and do while on vacation in the rainy season in Costa Rica:

 

  • Plan for the mornings—the earlier, the better. Remember, in Costa Rica, sunrise happens around 5:30 a.m. all year round. Plan to wake up early and cuddle up for naps in the rainy afternoons.
  • Make your vacations your first and last destination, close to the international airport. In the rainy season, roads may be blocked due to landslides. It is better to play it safe.
  • You don’t have to pre-book all of your activities if you prefer to wait and see how the weather is.
  • Bring bug repellent with you. Mosquitoes are particularly bothersome during the wet season.
  • Pack accordingly. Carry waterproof apparel in case of unexpected rain. It’s a good idea to have a dry bag with you.
  • Keep a rain jacket on hand at all times.
  • Remember to bring sunscreen. The sun shines brightly even when it is overcast.

    Purple Magic | Costa Rica in the rainy season
    Purple Magic | Costa Rica in the rainy season 7 23×23″ (60×60 cm) (available)

 

Renting a car in the rainy season:

  • If you intend on renting a car, rent a GPS or use Waze or Google Maps on your phone. It isn’t easy to read road signs when it’s pouring outside. You don’t want to become lost or stranded in a thunderstorm. It’s also important to buy a Costa Rican pre-paid SIM card so that you can call home in an emergency.
  • Avoid taking the quickest route or taking that detour while using GPS. Most of the time, it’s on an unpaved road. If you miss a turn, return to the main road. Take the paved route whenever possible and keep an eye out for road conditions.
  • If you intend to explore or stay in locations other than the main tourist sites, rent a 4×4 or 4WD.
A walk by the garde | Costa Rica in the rainy season
A walk by the garden | Costa Rica in the rainy season

Things to bring in the rainy season:

  • Power may go out in some locations during rain or thunderstorms. Bring a portable charger to charge your phone and have it charged at all times.
  • Bring a rechargeable headlight or flashlight that will also come in handy.
  • Good waterproof hiking boots.
  • Socks and more socks. They will get wet, muddy, and stinky. Treat them as disposables.

 

In conclusion

The best plan is to get in touch with someone who knows Costa Rica and the travel industry here to customize your holiday and make it perfect for you and your family. However, we hope that this post will be helpful for you to enjoy it as much as it can in Costa Rica during the rainy season.

You can also send me an email at olga@olgasaenz.com, and I may be able to help.

I am not a travel agent, but I kind of know the place and know some pretty good experts in the subject. Send me an email to olga@olgasaenz.com

 

About Olga Sáenz:   I am a painter, web writer, blogger, retired naturalist tour guide, adventurer, ex-traveler, metalhead, ACIM student, and happy free spirit. I love to share my knowledge with visitors to my country, and my art with art lovers from wherever you are.

Thank you for visiting my site and reading my blog

 

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