Budget-Friendly Costa Rica Travel Packages by Season

Are you craving adventure? Or, do you simply want to relax on a white, sandy beach? If so, a Costa Rica travel tour may be in your future! From the stunning heights of the country’s cloud forests to the shores of its pristine beaches, there are Costa Rica travel packages for every interest and budget.

Keep reading if you want to learn more about the best time to travel to Costa Rica, so that you can maximize your stay in the land of Pura Vida!

Costa Rica’s Two Main Seasons: Dry Season vs. Green Season

Costa Rica has a tropical climate, which means it rains a lot, and for most of the year. Average temperatures across the country are consistent no matter the season, with highs between 74°F and 79°F, and lows between 59°F and 63°F. Before you pack your bags, check out our list of pros and cons of visiting Costa Rica during the dry season vs. the rainy (or green) season.

Dry Season

• Costa Rica’s dry season (or summer) runs from mid-November through May. This dry or high season brings blue skies and warm sunshine, with the coastal areas sometimes reaching the mid-90s! March and April are the hottest months of the dry season, with very little rainfall occurring except on the Caribbean side of the country.
• The dry season is the best time to visit Costa Rica because the country receives 10 to 12 hours of sunshine per day, making it ideal for outdoor adventures and activities. Tourists can also enjoy some of the country’s most colorful festivals during the dry season.
• However, the dry season is also tourist high season, with Costa Rica travel packages in high demand. During this season, you’ll pay full price for hotel rooms, transportation, and other Costa Rica travel. In beach towns and tourist hotspots, hotels book up quickly, and attractions may be crowded.

Green Season

• Costa Rica’s green season (or winter) runs from May through November. It doesn’t rain all day during the rainy season; instead, you will experience daily showers between 2 and 4 p.m. September and October are the rainiest months, but the temperatures are overall much cooler than those you would experience during the dry season.
• If you want to plan your Costa Rica travel during this time, you’ll be rewarded with lush, green landscapes from all the rain! National parks and other attractions will be less crowded, and you may be able to get good deals on accommodations, transportation, and activities. This is also the best time to visit Costa Rica if you want to see the turtles hatching in Tortuguero or go whale watching on the Osa Peninsula.
• Visiting Costa Rica during the rainy months simply means you need to pack accordingly and plan outdoor activities for mornings and early afternoons to avoid the rain. However, if you plan to travel to more rural or remote areas, the rain may make travel more difficult, and you may need to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle to get to your destination.

While there really is no bad time to visit Costa Rica because of its temperate climate, savvy travelers know that the best time to plan a trip is between July and August, during the “little high season.” This way, you’ll avoid the heavy rains of the green season as well as the crowds of the dry season. You’ll enjoy pleasant weather with minimal rain, moderate crowds, and lower prices than the peak travel season, too.

A Seasonal Guide to Costa Rica Travel

Costa Rica travel can be incredible, no matter the time of year. You just have to know what you want to see and where you want to go to figure out the best time to travel to Costa Rica, for you! Keep reading for a seasonal look at Costa Rica travel packages month-by-month.

Visiting Costa Rica in January-April

Costa Rica travel from January through April falls during the high season, which means more tourists and crowded beaches. But it also means the least amount of prolonged rainfall, making it the perfect time for wildlife viewing and outdoor adventure activities.

Wildlife watching in January – April: Alaska/California humpback whales; hawksbill, leatherback, green, and Olive Ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast.

Visiting Costa Rica in May-June

May and June mark the official start of Costa Rica’s ‘green season’. While rainfall does indeed become more frequent, there is still plenty of warm sunshine, particularly in the Central Valley, Caribbean Coast, and Northern Pacific. National parks are quieter during this time, so you can spend longer periods observing the wildlife without fighting other tourists. If you like to surf, this is the best time to visit Costa Rica, with increasing swells on the country’s best surfing beaches.

Wildlife watching in May - June: Leatherback, loggerhead, and hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, and Olive Ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast.

Visiting Costa Rica in July-August

Rainfall increases during July and August, but that does not mean tourists are deterred. These two months are a great time to enjoy outdoor adventure activities or see green sea turtles on the coastline of Tortuguero National Park. For those looking for some beach time, the far northern Pacific coast is a perfect spot to visit during this time of year for snorkeling and other adventures.

Wildlife watching in July-August: Antarctic humpback whales; loggerhead, green, leatherback, and hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, and Olive Ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast.

Visiting Costa Rica in September-October

This is the height of the wet season, and Costa Rica travel is not recommended. Prolonged heavy rainfall makes wildlife spotting challenging, while roads are muddy and sometimes impassable due to higher river crossings and landslides.

Wildlife watching in September - October: Antarctic humpback whales; green and hawksbill sea turtles on the Caribbean coast; hawksbill, green, and Olive Ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast.

Visiting Costa Rica in November-December

Although the end of the rainy season can be difficult to predict, it is generally safe to book Costa Rica travel packages toward mid-December. Just be aware that the crowds will begin picking back up once the new year rolls around!

Wildlife watching in November - December: Hawksbill, leatherback, green, and Olive Ridley sea turtles on the Pacific coast.

Budget-Friendly Travel Tips for Costa Rica

The best time to travel to Costa Rica if you’re on a budget is during the shoulder seasons, which fall between the dry and rainy periods. This means May to early June and late October to mid-November. The shoulder seasons offer a great balance of affordable pricing on amenities and activities, as well as good weather for outdoor adventures.

During the shoulder seasons, you’ll find cheaper flights, lower hotel rates, and smaller crowds. While you may experience an afternoon shower, you won’t have to deal with the heavy rains of the wet season. Basically, Costa Rica travel during the shoulder season is a savvy way to experience good weather without peak prices, better availability at hotels and on Costa Rica travel packages, and less crowded beaches and parks.

Costa Rica Travel Adventures for All!

Traveling to Costa Rica is a great option for those who are looking for outdoor adventures or lazy days on the beach. And the best thing of all is – there’s almost no bad time to visit Costa Rica! Contact Gondwana Ecotours to learn more about their Costa Rica travel packages, and their experienced guides will be able to recommend the best time to travel to Costa Rica