How warm is Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in December?

Typical highs are about 81°F and the sea is about 84°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in December?

In a typical year seaweed is low in December. It is usually lightest in January and July and heaviest in September and October. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.

Is December hurricane season in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?

No. Storm risk is very low in December.

How crowded is Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in December?

Typically busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in December

December is a good month for Costa Rica's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades C+, the 5th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 81°F, water around 84°F and about a 92% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually low in December. Beaches are typically busy (Christmas & holiday break).

Typical dayC+5th of 12 months

Highs / water81°FSea 84°F

Rain chance92%on a given day

SeaweedLowtypical year

CrowdsBusyChristmas & holiday break

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

Costa Rica's Caribbean coast month by month

Typical grade and high for each month. Higher is better: A+ to F.

November: C+ · December: C+ · January: B-. The best months are usually January, February and March, and the weakest are August and September.

Best beaches in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in December

Resorts with the best typical December, and their grades for the next few days.

Beach	Typical Dec	Seaweed	This week
Umami Hotel Garden Spa	B-	Very low	SatBSunBMonCTueC+WedC
Ocean View Lodge	B-	Very low	SatBSunBMonCTueC+WedC
Beach Hut	B-	Very low	SatBSunBMonCTueC+WedC
Coco Loco Lodge	B-	Very low	SatBSunBMonC-TueC+WedC
Cahuita Beach Resorts	B-	Very low	SatB-SunC+MonC-TueC+WedC-
Puerto Viejo Beach Resorts	B-	Very low	SatB-SunB-MonC-TueC+WedC-
Suizo Loco Lodge	B-	Very low	SatBSunBMonCTueCWedC
Lizard King Resort	B-	Very low	SatBSunBMonC-TueC+WedC

Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.

Better beach options in December

Elsewhere in Central & South America, Panama's Pacific beaches (A-), Belize (B+) and Colombia's Caribbean coast (B) usually grade higher in December. Further afield: Huatulco (A), Puerto Vallarta (A) and Los Cabos (A). Every destination in December.

Questions

Is December a good time to visit Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?: December is a good month for Costa Rica's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades C+, the 5th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 81°F, water around 84°F and about a 92% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually low in December. Beaches are typically busy (Christmas & holiday break).
How warm is Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in December?: Typical highs are about 81°F and the sea is about 84°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in December?: In a typical year seaweed is low in December. It is usually lightest in January and July and heaviest in September and October. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.
Is December hurricane season in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?: No. Storm risk is very low in December.
How crowded is Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in December?: Typically busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Plan it

Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 41 resorts here (median resort): 6 years of ERA5 climate normals, the seasonal pattern of the Atlantic sargassum belt, holiday crowd calendars and historical storm tracks. Any given year can differ; check the 16-day forecast before you go.