COSTA RICA WEATHERIn 1493, Mrs. Christopher Columbus asked: “Honey, what’s Costa Rica weather like?” when he discovered Costa Rica. “Pura Vida.” And so it is.
A Climate Like HawaiiI live just outside San Jose in Costa Rica’s large Central Valley, enjoying spring-like weather and gentle breezes almost every day. I don’t have a furnace or air-conditioner because San Jose’s average year-round temperature is 75°.
Think I'm making this up? Look for yourself (Juan Santamaria is San Jose International Airport)! Seldom above 85° and never below 60°, my $50 electric bill is a welcome relief from the States. If I get too warm the mountains are only 10 minutes away. For me, Costa Rica weather is simply perfect.
The weather in Costa Rica is more tropical along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts because of the influence of the warm oceans but wherever you are and whenever you come, you’ll find that vacations in Costa Rica are great any time of the year. Ask the Ticos. They flock to the beaches every December (so it can’t be too chilly, can it?) Pura Vida. Is It Going To Rain?That depends on where you are and when you’re there. This is, after all, the tropics but I promise you this: weather in Costa Rica is grand wherever you come and you’re going to find lots and lots of sunshine almost every day.With Hawaii-like temperatures year-round, many tourists prefer to take a Costa Rica vacation between December and April, the “dry season” for this little country.
You'll generally find sunshine until mid-afternoon most days but sometimes there are drenching downpours that can result in flooding low-lying areas. Interestingly, when most of Costa Rica can be in the midst of the green season, the Caribbean often has a mini-dry season from September to mid-November so...if the Pacific is a bit too wet for your tastes, zip over to the Caribbean for more sunshine. Still, there are some regional differences in Costa Rica weather. Here’s a sampler. Central Valley and San Jose
With good reason, San Jose is said to be the land of “eternal spring”. Mild temperatures (averaging 75°), soft breezes, and only 73” of rain a year (Maui gets 85”) are spring-like. Better yet, beginning in December there’s almost no rain for five months and even in the “green season" you won’t need your umbrella until mid-afternoon. Best Time to Visit? For weather, anytime, though September through November can be very rainy some days. On the other hand, for the best chance at finding great hotel and air rates, consider “green season” months (you'll probably save a LOT of money). Costa Rica "Gold Coast"Often described as the “gold coast” because of its many spectacular beach resorts and hotels, the North Pacific coast in Guanacaste province is several degrees warmer (average temperature in the low to mid-80s°) and drier (65” of rain) than the Central Valley. Costa Rica weather here is perfect beach weather: daytime temperatures in the upper-80s or 90s but without oppressive humidity.
The Southern Pacific CoastThough not far from its northerly coastal neighbor, the Southern Pacific coast can get very wet during the “green season”.I love the Central Pacific coast south of Dominical (heading towards Panama) because the verdant mountains almost kiss the spectacular azul shoreline. This is very special country, still largely undeveloped with easy hikes to pretty waterfalls and mile-after-mile of beaches. You’ll love it, too, but here the phrase “green season” means "really rainy season". The mountains get more than 150” of rain annually with much of it late in the year. Best Time To Visit? The “dry season.” Everything is green year-round but August-November is the best time for a duck. During the dry season, you can ford smaller rivers in your 4X4 rental car and discover some really special places but in the green season, never trying fording. The Caribbean, Costa Rica's "Rich Coast"Costa Rica’s name comes from Christopher Columbus who was so enraptured that he named his discovery the “rich coast.”
Best Time to Visit? The driest months are February, April, and surprisingly September-mid-November (when the rest of the country is in the midst of the rainy season) but there can be heavy rains any time. The wet months here can be very wet. For example, Limon averages about 15 inches of rain in May but sometimes there are torrential rains. In one 80 hour period in May 2009, Limon was soaked (flooded) with 16.4 inches! Even so, if you pay attention to the weather, there’s a lot to see and many vacations to Costa Rica are not complete without a visit to the Caribbean coast. Where Would You Rather Be Now?It’s December and you’re in Alaska. Look out your window. Oh yea, it’s dark and cold. “Honey, what’s Costa Rica weather like?"Albany in March and there’s. . .snow, lots of snow. “Sweetheart, what’s the weather like in Costa Rica?” Think August in Florida. Go outside 5 minutes and you'll ask: “Darling, what’s Costa Rica weather like?” Here's the answer. Pura Vida.
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Others make their trip to Costa Rica between May and November, the “green season,” when there are a lot fewer visitors and often much better travel and accommodation bargains. 
