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Best time to visit Costa Rica
The best times to visit Costa Rica (San Jose) are in January, February, March, April and May based on our default weather conditions. Update your weather preferences to see which months best match.
Costa Rica by month
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Recommended for Costa Rica
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Top Costa Rica destinations
Below are the temperatures expected today at popular countries, regions and places in Costa Rica. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.
All Costa Rica destinations
- Dominical
- Golfito
- Jaco
- La Fortuna
- Liberia
- Monteverde
- Punta Leone
- Quepos
- Samara
- San Jose
- Tamarindo
- Tambor
- Tortuquero
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
The best times to visit Costa Rica (San Jose) are in January, February, March, April and May based on the following average weather conditions.
Maximum daytime temperature = 22 - 30°C [remove]
Daily hours of sunshine = 8 hours or more [remove]
Change the criteria to reflect your weather preferences.
Max Day Temperature (°C)
- Jan
23 - Feb
24 - Mar25
- Apr25
- May25
- Jun25
- Jul24
- Aug24
- Sep24
- Oct24
- Nov24
- Dec23
Best time to visit
The weather guide for Costa Rica (San Jose) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.
Metric (°C / mm) | Imperial (°F / inches)
Costa Rica weather overview
Costa Rica is a small mountainous country between Nicaragua and Panama and shares many elements of its climate with the latter. Temperatures are high throughout the year, especially on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts which experience some rain all year and get very wet and sticky indeed during the May to November rainy season.
If you prefer more temperate conditions, head for the hills where the air is crisper and the nights are cooler.
What to pack for Costa Rica weather
Pack light clothing with warmer clothes for the chilly highland nights and a light raincoat for the rainy season.
More about Costa Rica
Explore our complete guide to Costa Rica with the latest travel advice for travellers and holidaymakers including official updates and local travel tips for Costa Rica.
- Essential information
- Ready to book?
- Top travel deals
- Travel advice
- Travel health
- Travel features
- FAQs
Costa Rica essential information
Below is a beginner's guide to Costa Rica with essential travel facts such as dominant language spoken, typical flight time from the UK and the local currency. You can also check whether visas are required and what plug adapter you need to pack.
| Costa Rica - quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Flight time✝ | 11.5 hours |
| Time difference | UK -6 hours |
| Language(s) | Spanish |
| Currency | Costa Rican Colon |
| Electricity | A + B plug (120V) |
| Driving side | Right |
✝ = Typical flight time from the UK.
Travelling to Costa Rica?
Discover where to book holidays, flights, hotels and more from popular travel providers for your trip to Costa Rica in 2026/2027.
Holidays to Costa Rica
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TUI Find and book ATOL protected holidays to Costa Rica and destinations worldwide with low deposits and free child places available. |
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Love Holidays Book flights, hotels and transfers as holiday packages to worldwide destinations with this UK-based OTA. |
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Apple Vacations Major US holiday operator offering holiday packages to Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, USA and Europe. |
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First Choice Part of the TUI Group, this well-known UK travel brand offers package holidays to Costa Rica and beyond. |
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Hays Travel UK's largest independent travel agency offers no and low-deposit getaways to countless destinations worldwide including Costa Rica. |
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Mercury Holidays Award-winning travel provider offering package holidays, escorted tours and river cruises to Costa Rica and more. |
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Secret Escapes Members-only travel club offering exclusive deals on hand-picked luxury hotels and holidays to Costa Rica and more. |
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Travelbag Award-winning UK-based travel company specialising in personalised long-haul holidays to Costa Rica and further afield. |
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Expedia Compare and book holidays, flights, hotels, car hire and more on this trusted website covering global destinations. |
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Holiday Hypermarket Specalists in discounted beach, ski and city holiday packages, this UK-based OTA is part of TUI. |
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lastminute.com Leading European travel company specialising in dynamic holiday packages to thousands of destinations including Costa Rica. |
Tours to Costa Rica
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Travelsphere UK-based tour operator with 60+ years experience. Offers award-winning guided tour holidays across six continents. |
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Wendy Wu Tours UK's leading specialist tour operator to China, Japan and southeast Asia. Flights, hotels, meals, guides and visa included. |
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Explore! Adventure travel company offering authentic experiences for small groups to over 100 countries including Costa Rica. |
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Riviera Travel The UK's leading river cruise and tour operator, offering scenic experiences worldwide including in Costa Rica. |
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Newmarket Holidays Long-established travel brand offering escorted tours, river cruises, resort stays and more to Costa Rica and beyond. |
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Just You Specialists in solo travel for over 25 years. Offers a range of trips and experiences to worldwide destinations including Costa Rica. |
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Contiki Global travel brand for 18-35s, offering over 200 all-inclusive group trips across six continents. Low deposit bookings available. |
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Exoticca Online tour operator offering cultural trips and experiences designed by an in-house team of travel experts. |
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G Adventures Award-winning adventure travel brand specialising in small-group tours, safaris and expeditions across all seven continents. |
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Saga Holidays Award-winning travel operator specialising in escorted tours and hotel holidays to Europe and worldwide for over 50s. |
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Trafalgar Discover your next guided tour through this top-rated travel brand covering every destination from Europe to Australia. |
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TUI Tours Browse from a wide range of tour packages with expert local guides through TUI's dedicated escorted tour brand. |
Flights to Costa Rica
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Air Canada Canada's largest airline offers scheduled international passenger flights to and from Canada. Founding member of Star Alliance. |
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Iberia Spain's biggest airline serving over 140 cities in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. |
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British Airways The UK's national flag carrier is a major global airline, serving over 200 destinations across 80 countries including Costa Rica. |
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Air France This major French international airline serves almost 170 destinations across 73 countries including Costa Rica via its hub in Paris. |
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KLM The Netherland's national flag carrier and the world's largest airline. Serves 170 international destinations via Amsterdam. |
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eDreams Leading European OTA offering thousands of flights and hotels across 40,000 destinations including Costa Rica. |
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KAYAK Search and compare flights, hotels, car hire and package holidays through this award-winning travel search engine. |
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Kiwi.com Global OTA and search engine specialising in affordable flights, hotels and car hire across worldwide destinations including Costa Rica. |
Hotels in Costa Rica
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Hilton Leading global hospitality brand with a portfolio of 9,000 properties across 141 countries and territories including Costa Rica. |
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Radisson Hotels Major international hotel group with 10 brands and over 1,520 hotels worldwide including in Costa Rica. |
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IHG Leading global hotel group with a portfolio of international brands including Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and more. |
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Barcelo Spanish hotel chain with 90+ years of experience. Accommodation locations include Spain, Mexico and the UAE. |
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Marriott The world's largest hotel company with a portfolio of 30+ brands and almost 9,600 properties across 143 countries. |
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Agoda One of the world's largest online travel platforms with a network of over 6 million hotels. Plus flights, activities and more. |
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Booking.com Leading global OTA founded in Amsterdam. Offers worldwide accommodation, flights, car hire, activities and more. |
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Hotels.com Part of Expedia Group, this major OTA offers deals and discounts on hotel rooms worldwide including in Costa Rica. |
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Priceline Leading OTA for discounted flights, hotels, cruises, car hire, experiences and packages worldwide including in Costa Rica. |
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Trivago Global travel brand and metasearch engine that compares accommodation prices across different online booking sites. |
Accommodation in Costa Rica
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Hostelworld Leading global OTA for hostels and budget accommodation worldwide. Perfect for travellers looking to connect. |
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VRBO Owned by Expedia Group, this online holiday marketplace offers a unique selection of 2+ million homes worldwide. |
Ocean cruises to Costa Rica
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Fred Olsen Set sail from the UK to worldwide destinations including Costa Rica with this long-standing cruise company. |
Things to do in Costa Rica
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Viator |
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Get Your Guide Major global marketplace specialising in travel experiences. Covers tours and attractions across six continents. |
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Isango Browse and book great-value sightseeing tours, experiences and attractions across 300+ destinations including Costa Rica. |
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Resort Pass |
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Tiqets |
Car hire in Costa Rica
Money transfers to Costa Rica
Airport taxis for Costa Rica
eSIMs for Costa Rica
Costa Rica travel deals
Check out the latest deals, discount codes and special offers on holidays, flights, hotels and more for Costa Rica in 2026/2027. Pay low deposits and save with last minute holidays, early bird offers and free kids places where available.
- Save 10% on 2026/2027 holidays in biggest ever TUI sale
- Max discount £500. T&Cs apply. £500 min spend
- Travel between 1st May 2026 & 31st Oct 2027 (inclusive)
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- Get FREE flights on selected 2026/2027 tours
- £1,000 saving per person. Partner flies free on other tours
- Travel before 31st December 2027 (inclusive)
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- Save on holidays & flights worldwide in the BA sale
- Book trips to Europe, USA, Caribbean & beyond
- Including New York, Los Angeles, Florida, Barbados & Dubai
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- Save up to 20% small group trips worldwide in 2026
- Book adventures online in Explore! Big Blue Sale
- Travel before 31st December 2026 (inclusive)
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- Save up to £600 on selected holidays in 2026/2027
- Book discounted holidays with 'Sale' label
- Discounts varies by destination & holiday type. T&Cs apply
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- Save up to 10% on all 2026 holidays in Riviera Travel sale
- Book tours & cruises in Europe, Asia, Africa, the USA & more
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- Pay no deposits on 2026/2027 holidays in Hays Travel sale
- Book holidays to popular destinations across Europe & beyond
- Travel before 31st October 2027 (inclusive)
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- Save up to £800 per couple on selected worldwide tours
- Plus save up to £300 per couple on European tours
- Book tours online in Travelsphere New Year sale
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- Save up to 50% on 2026 holidays & tours with Travelbag
- Book selected stays in popular destinations around the world
- Travel before 31st December 2026 (inclusive)
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- Save 10% on 2026/2027 holidays with TUI Tours
- Max discount £500. T&Cs apply. £500 min spend
- Travel between 1st May 2026 & 31st Oct 2027 (inclusive)
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Costa Rica travel advice
Check the latest travel advice and guidance on visiting Costa Rica from official government sources (in english) from around the world including entry requirements and travel restrictions.
- UK traveller advice for Costa Rica - UK FCDO
- Irish traveller advice for Costa Rica - Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland
- Canadian travel advice for Costa Rica - Government of Canada
- US travel advisories for Costa Rica - US Department of State
- Safe travel advisories for Costa Rica - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, New Zealand
- Smarter traveller advice for Costa Rica - Department of Foreign Affairs, Australia
Learn more about the current safety and security risks from terrorism, natural disasters and more. Read about the local laws and customs to consider when travelling around Costa Rica.
Note: UK FCDO - UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Costa Rica travel health
Find out more about staying safe when travelling to Costa Rica with the latest guidance on required vaccinations and recommended medication to take with you.
- Vaccines & medicines for Costa Rica - CDC
- Health & vaccinations for Costa Rica - TravelHealthPro, NaTHNac
- How to stay safe & healthy in Costa Rica - Fit for Travel, Public Health Scotland
Check out the general travel tips for staying safe and healthy in Costa Rica, risks of preventable diseases and what to pack.
Note: CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Costa Rica travel features
Do you want to learn more about Costa Rica? Read our latest features covering travel tips and insider destination guides on where to go and what to do in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica FAQs
Read our frequently asked questions about travelling to Costa Rica including the current entry restrictions, driving side, electrical plugs used and much more.
Which is the hottest month in Costa Rica?
The hottest time of year in San Jose, Costa Rica is normally May. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 25°C with low heat and humidity.
Which month has the most rain in Costa Rica?
In terms of rainfall, September is usually the wettest month in San Jose, Costa Rica with 372mm on average. There are normally 24 days in September with some rain.
When is it sunniest in Costa Rica?
The sunniest time of year in San Jose, Costa Rica is normally March with bright sunshine on average for 60% of daylight hours; that's 7 hours of sunshine per day.
What is the flight time to Costa Rica from the UK?
The flight time to Costa Rica from the UK is typically 11.5 hours.
What is the time difference between Costa Rica and the UK?
The time difference between Costa Rica and the UK is UK time-6 hours.
What is the main language spoken in Costa Rica?
What is the currency in Costa Rica?
The currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colon (CRC).
Send money to Costa Rica with Wise.com*, World Remit* and XE Money Transfers*.
Which plugs are used in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica uses electrical plug type A + B (120 Volts).
Which side of the road do they drive on in Costa Rica?
They drive on the right side of the road in Costa Rica.
Find out more about driving in Costa Rica with International Drivers Association*.
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