A Guide to Costa Rica’s Weather and Seasons
Costa Rica has a richly varied topography, with an abundance of mountains, valleys, and plains, which are very close to each other in a relatively small territory. This is why travelers to Costa Rica enjoy such diverse weather by month and location. You can find microclimates all over the country with unique temperatures and conditions.
Due to its proximity to the equator, Costa Rica has a tropical climate. This means that there are not four seasons like in much of the world, but rather two seasons. There are roughly six months of the dry season (December to April) and six months of the rainy season (June to November).
The dry season generally runs from December to April and is sometimes referred to as Costa Rica’s summer. Not only will travelers find the driest months, but also the coldest (December and January), especially in areas far from the coasts. The temperature during the so-called summer can range between 68°F (20°C) and 86°F (30°C). The lack of rain and moisture is also noticeable in the lower humidity.
The El Niño and La Niña phenomena affect how long the seasons last in Costa Rica. This climate phenomena actually refers to a change in Pacific Ocean temperatures that affects the Pacific region across the globe.
Since El Niño corresponds to the warmer ocean temperatures, temperatures tend to rise across Costa Rica during those years. On the other hand, La Niña years are when the ocean is colder than usual. This can lead to an increase in rain and wind throughout Costa Rica.
The topography of the Costa Rican mountains and mountain ranges determines three main climatic regions:
Recorded history shows that although the possibility of a direct effect of a hurricane occurring is low, it is not entirely zero. However, Costa Rica’s geographical position and small size make hurricanes much less common than in neighboring countries, such as Nicaragua.
