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

Typical highs are about 82°F and the sea is about 85°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

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

In a typical year seaweed is moderate in November. 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 November hurricane season in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?

No. Storm risk is very low in November.

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

Typically moderate, around Thanksgiving and Día de Muertos. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in November

November is a middling month for Costa Rica's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades C+, the 8th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 82°F, water around 85°F and about a 94% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually moderate in November. Beaches are typically moderate (Thanksgiving and Día de Muertos).

Typical dayC+8th of 12 months

Highs / water82°FSea 85°F

Rain chance94%on a given day

SeaweedModeratetypical year

CrowdsModerateThanksgiving

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.

October: C+ · November: C+ · December: C+. 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 November

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

Beach	Typical Nov	Seaweed	This week
Umami Hotel Garden Spa	B-	Low	SatBSunBMonCTueC+WedC
Coco Loco Lodge	B-	Low	SatBSunBMonC-TueC+WedC
Villas del Caribe Beach	B-	Low	SatCSunC+MonCTueC-WedC
Ocean View Lodge	B-	Low	SatBSunBMonCTueC+WedC
Beach Hut	B-	Low	SatBSunBMonCTueC+WedC
Suizo Loco Lodge	C+	Low	SatBSunBMonCTueCWedC
Lizard King Resort	C+	Low	SatBSunBMonC-TueC+WedC
Alby Lodge	C+	Low	SatBSunB-MonCTueC+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 November

Elsewhere in Central & South America, Panama's Pacific beaches (B+), Belize (B) and Roatán & the Bay Islands (B) usually grade higher in November. Further afield: Los Cabos (A), Puerto Vallarta (A) and Huatulco (A). Every destination in November.

Questions

Is November a good time to visit Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?: November is a middling month for Costa Rica's Caribbean coast: a typical day grades C+, the 8th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 82°F, water around 85°F and about a 94% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually moderate in November. Beaches are typically moderate (Thanksgiving and Día de Muertos).
How warm is Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in November?: Typical highs are about 82°F and the sea is about 85°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in November?: In a typical year seaweed is moderate in November. 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 November hurricane season in Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?: No. Storm risk is very low in November.
How crowded is Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in November?: Typically moderate, around Thanksgiving and Día de Muertos. 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.