Did I choose the worst time to visit Costa Rica?
As I wandered through the Costa Rican rainforest, I waited for the heavy downpour.
But it never came.
Maybe the rainy season isn’t the worst time to visit Costa Rica afterall!
If you are planning your Costa Rica trip but don’t know whether a visit in the rainy season is worth it, then keep reading!
As with any trip, visiting in or out of season both come with benefits and downsides, so I have detailed what my experience was like during my adventure.
Enjoying the canopy to myself with the howler monkeys was special in Montezuma, and I would not have experienced that in peak summer months.
I did visit Costa Rica right at the beginning of the rainy season in May, so maybe I got lucky?
Let’s find out the good and bad parts of a rainy season trip to Pura Vida land.
No sign of any rain in May.
A visit to Costa Rica in the rainy season.
I finally decided to visit Central America with a trip to Costa Rica in the month of May.
When I was researching before booking my flights I realised that it was the start of the rainy season, therefore, maybe the worst time to visit Costa Rica?
I decided to take the risk as I secured some cheap flights and accommodation.
I hoped it wouldn’t be a washout!
A visit to Costa Rica in the rainy season can be ruined by heavy continuous downpours, which can cancel activities, ruin nature exploration, and make traversing the country’s poor infrastructure very difficult.
The humidity also brings out the mosquitos, in large numbers!
A hanging bridge all to myself.
A good time to enjoy the activities with fewer crowds.
Although rainfall can be heavy in the rainy season in Costa Rica, it can sometimes be very short lived.
Therefore, with a little flexibility and planning, the abundance of outdoor activities can be enjoyed with far less tourists.
More room for the perfect photo at Rio Celeste Waterfall.
Rio Celeste waterfall is a very popular Instagram spot in Costa Rica.
The sky blue water is very unique and is formed due to the phenomenon of an optical illusion caused by the sunlight interacting with certain minerals in the water.
A benefit of a trip to Rio Celeste in the rainy season is that the water is powerful and less tourists congregate at the viewing points.
So if you want to be one with nature in a more peaceful environment, then May or November could offer you the best of both worlds!
A unique colour at Rio Celeste Waterfall.
The canopy to myself in Montezuma.
Chilling high in the canopy with just monkeys for company was definitely a highlight of visiting out of season.
My tour guide was telling me that in peak dry season, there can be up to 50 people enjoying the tour at the same time, and they are only managed by 2-3 guides.
The benefits of less waiting times and more attention on you from the safety guides is a big upside of visiting in wetter months.
Incase of heavy downpours, the companies supply ponchos!
The beginning of a zip line the Montezuma canopy.
Maybe the best time to surf in Costa Rica?
Surfing is one of the biggest draws of Costa Rica!
The rainy season in Costa Rica brings choppy waves and better conditions for the more experienced surfers, especially down the Pacific coastline.
On average, waves along the Pacific coast can reach the heights of 4 foot plus, with glassy conditions in wetter months.
Showers and high humidity reduce tourism numbers at some beach destinations, which also creates less crowds in the water, making it better for experienced surfers.
Enjoying a surf lesson in Tamarindo.
Cheaper surf lessons in May in Tamarindo.
I am not going to lie, I had never tried surfing before I arrived in Costa Rica.
However, I left a fully fledged surfing fan!
The options for surf lessons in Tamarindo were abundant in May.
As you wander down the beach road in Tamarindo you will notice a very large number of surf shops and schools, so the competition means discount time in low season, which was a nice bonus.
I also noticed similar offers advertised in Montezuma!
A nice surfing spot in Montezuma.
Pura Vida everywhere, anytime!
It doesn’t matter which time of year you visit Costa Rica when it comes to the happy locals.
The pura vida lifestyle is infectious throughout the country.
I got this vibe on my first day in the capital, and it continued for my whole trip in each destination.
I loved walking up and down Tamarindo beach every day watching locals play games and surf, along with enjoying massages and yoga.
The feel good vibes are just in the air!
Beach fun in rainy season.
An abundance of biodiversity in the rainy season.
Costa Rica is home to over 500,000 species, making it a very important global ecosystem.
This was an awesome fact about Costa Rica that our tour guide ‘Pedro’ taught us in the Tenorio National Park as he showed us a moving tree!
The high levels of water which the rainy season brings means that nature flourishes with more beautiful flora, and lush vegetation, which in turn brings out more wildlife for tourists to get a glimpse of.
A moving tree in the Tenorio National Park.
Turtle season varies between destinations and specific species, however, if you want to see some, it is likely that you can do so in the wetter months.
Leatherback turtle nesting season is in October in Tamarindo, with night time tours being popular in October and November. On our estuary tour in Tamarindo, our guide was telling us that some turtles end up in the estuary!
Depending on your primary focus in Costa Rica, the rain might just bring the natural beauty you are looking for!
A viper chilling.
A colourful bird in its nest.
Hiking in the high humidity was a challenge.
Visiting Costa Rica in the rainy season means that you will experience some tough conditions for hiking and other physical activities.
The humidity levels in the rainy season usually range between 70-80%, compared to 40-65% in the dry season, and as a result of frequent showers, the conditions feel muggy.
May is typically a month which can be unpredictable, so some days were easier than others.
The day I visited Tenorio National Park to hike to the beautiful Rio Celeste waterfall, the humidity was really high, so our hike took longer than expected, and more drinking water was required.
When we arrived we were treated to a full flowing waterfall, which is said to be more powerful in the rainy season.
A humid forest walk.
Despite the tougher conditions, the flourishing nature was special.
As you can see in the photos, the lush greenery was abundant, and the noises of the forest sounded loud.
In certain parts of the rainforest, the flora on display was bright and beautiful.
An abundance of nature.
The sunsets were awesome in May.
The sunsets on the Pacific side of Costa Rica in the rainy season are spectacular!
As showers usually occur earlier in the day, the skies are normally clear for sunset most evenings.
I will never forget my evenings in Tamarindo with a cold beer watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean!
The happy hour bargains operate all year round as the sun sets, which makes the beach the go to place.
Sunset on Tamarindo beach.
A volcano sunset in La Fortuna.
The best months to visit Costa Rica.
There is no doubt that whichever month you head to Costa Rica, you are going to have an amazing time, however, if you want to increase your chances of better weather, or want to plan a specific activity you may have to be selective of when to visit.
Here are the best months to visit for most tourists:
Dry season: December to April.
Sunny days and warm temperatures on most days, making it ideal for sunbathing in the beach towns.
Clear skies and dry weather can also help you plan more outdoor activities with little risk of disruption. Hiking is more enjoyable with less humidity, dry routes, and clear views for miles.
The average temperature in the dry season ranges from 24°C to 32°C.
Sunshine isn’t the only guarantee in the dry season, as a very expensive trip is also likely, with accommodation, flight, and activity prices increasing to meet demand.
Shoulder season: May & November.
The shoulder months of May and November in Costa Rica come down to risk vs reward.
The cheaper prices are a big lure for visitors, however, the risk of heavy downpours disrupting your itinerary still exists.
Most years it is somewhere in the middle, you will have a few days of rain disruption, but fewer crowds and still many sunny dry days.
The average temperature in the rainy season is usually mid 20s°C, although I experienced several days in La Fortuna where it surpassed 32°C.
The famous waterfalls and National Parks are a more pleasant experience in these months.
La Fortuna waterfall.
A recap on the benefits of a visit to Costa Rica in the rainy season.
So despite the rainy being classed as the ‘worst time to visit Costa Rica’, the benefits below suggest that it is still worth visiting:
There is beautiful flourishing nature and flora throughout the country.
Cheaper prices and better deals for your trip.
Fewer crowds and less packed activities and landmarks.
A larger selection of wildlife to spot.
Higher water levels makes waterfalls more stunning , and some water activities more fun.
If you have a more flexible or extended travel itinerary, the rainy days won‘t disrupt you too much!
An awesome backdrop.
Relaxing at El Salto swimming hole is awesome all year round.
A highlight of my time in La Fortuna is the El Salto swimming hole.
I spent time at the awesome chill out spot on two of my days in the jungle town.
Costa Rica's rainy season might seem like a downer for some travellers, however, the rain actually enhances the power and beauty of El Salto's waterfall.
The waterfalls flow faster and the water is deeper for when you are having a go of the Tarzan swing.
Fewer crowds also offers visitors some more tranquil vibes!
El Salto is a popular spot.
Looking for some ideas for your Costa Rica trip?
Planning your Costa Rica trip but need some ideas for your travel itinerary?
Following my last trip, here are three activities which I really enjoyed:
La Fortuna waterfall.
Located just outside of La Fortuna, the town’s famous waterfall is my favourite in Costa Rica as you are allowed to swim at its base.
The picturesque surroundings are intensified by the screams of excitement from visitors ziplining across the canopy above.
It is well worth the $19 entry and 500 steps down to it.
Tamarindo estuary tour.
The estuary in Tamarindo is home to howler monkeys, American crocodiles, and some rare birds.
The two hour boat tour was more relaxing than some other tours on my packed Costa Rica itinerary, therefore, a nice change.
It is also an educational experience, where you will learn about the mangroves, and different forms of wildlife.
The oldest tree in Costa Rica.
Located close to Tenorio National Park, which is home to Rio Celeste Waterfall lies the oldest tree in Costa Rica.
The 400 year old Ceiba tree is an awesome spot to grab some Instagram pics.
My favourite part of visiting the tree was realising the true scale of nature, which gave me a nice perspective on things.
This is a great free short activity to add to your day exploring Rio Celeste.
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