Best time to visit Costa Rica's Caribbean coast
The best time to visit Costa Rica's Caribbean coast is usually January, February and March, when a typical day grades B-, B- and B-. August and September are the weakest (C+ and C+). Seaweed is usually lightest in January and July and heaviest in September and October. The quietest months are September and October.
Pick a month
Costa Rica's Caribbean coast month by month
| Month | Typical day | High | Water | Rain chance | Seaweed | Crowds | Storm risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | B- | 81°F | 83°F | 85% | Low | Busy | Very low |
| February | B- | 81°F | 82°F | 84% | Low | Busy | Very low |
| March | B- | 83°F | 84°F | 71% | Low | Very busy | Very low |
| April | C+ | 84°F | 85°F | 73% | High | Busy | Very low |
| May | C+ | 84°F | 86°F | 82% | High | Moderate | Very low |
| June | C+ | 84°F | 86°F | 92% | Moderate | Moderate | Very low |
| July | C+ | 83°F | 85°F | 97% | Low | Busy | Very low |
| August | C+ | 84°F | 85°F | 93% | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
| September | C+ | 85°F | 86°F | 89% | High | Moderate | Low |
| October | C+ | 84°F | 86°F | 86% | High | Moderate | Very low |
| November | C+ | 82°F | 85°F | 94% | Moderate | Moderate | Very low |
| December | C+ | 81°F | 84°F | 92% | Low | Busy | Very low |
Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 41 resorts here (median resort). Grades weigh seaweed, temperature, rain, sun, water, waves, wind, UV, crowds, storm risk and travel safety.
Best beaches in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast
Resorts with the best typical January, and their grades for the next few days.
- Hotel Palace Jan BSatB+SunB-MonC+TueB-WedB-
- Casa Grande Eco Lodge at Pacuare Reserve Jan BSatB+SunC+MonC+TueC+WedC+
- Hotel Playa Bonita Jan BSatB+SunC+MonC+TueB-WedC+
- Hotel Playa Westfalia Jan BSatB+SunBMonC+TueC+WedC+
- Goddess Garden Resort Jan BSatB+SunBMonC+TueC+WedC+
- Villas del Caribe Beach Jan BSatCSunC+MonCTueC-WedC
- Le Caméléon Boutique Hotel Jan B-SatC-SunCMonC-TueD+WedC-
- Almonds & Corals Lodge Jan B-SatC-SunCMonC-TueD+WedC-
Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.
Questions
- When is the best time to visit Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?
- The best time to visit Costa Rica's Caribbean coast is usually January, February and March, when a typical day grades B-, B- and B-. August and September are the weakest (C+ and C+). Seaweed is usually lightest in January and July and heaviest in September and October. The quietest months are September and October.
- When is sargassum season in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?
- In a typical year seaweed is heaviest in May, September and October and lightest in January and July. The Atlantic sargassum belt varies a lot from year to year; Veabird's weekly sargassum report tracks the current season.
- When is the cheapest and least crowded time to visit Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?
- Crowds are usually lightest in September and October and heaviest in February and March (College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter). Quieter months usually mean lower hotel rates.
- When is hurricane season in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?
- Storm risk runs from about August to September and peaks in September.
- When is the water warmest in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?
- The sea is warmest in May and October (about 86°F) and coolest in January and February (about 82°F).