Weather
Costa Rica Weather and Climate
“What’s the weather like in Costa Rica?”
One of the most common inquiries we receive in this Tropical climate zone. Most would expect a pretty straightforward answer, considering the country’s small size. The truth is, there is no straight answer. In more temperate zones, like the United States and Canada, people know four seasons that include a wide range of weather. These conditions can include snow, rain, tornadoes, and even hurricanes. Unlike temperate countries, however, Costa Rica has only two seasons: Dry season, from November to April, and Rainy season, from May to November.
Temperatures vary primarily with elevation, and not according to season. That said, there are many micro-climates depending on where on the country you are located. Rainfall in Costa Rica results from the interaction of trade winds and local topography. When moisture-laden air from the Caribbean Sea encounters the coastline, showers can often be triggered by the difference in surface temperature between the land and water. Moving further inland, the air reaches the eastern foothills of the country’s mountainous backbone. As the air mass rises to pass over the barrier, it cools, and because cool air can hold less moisture than warm air, it rains, causing the middle elevations of the Caribbean facing slopes to be the wettest areas in the country with average annual precipitation of more than 160 inches (400mm).
Although Costa Rica is only 8 degrees above the equator, it is much more “temperate” than most North American locations. For example, Costa Rica is cooled by two oceans, and for that reason, you are always within 70 miles of a coast, no matter where you are in the country. A typical day starts out at about 65 degrees Fahrenheit, rises up to mid 80′s, and gradually drops before sunset. Days are 12 hours of light year round, so there are no extra-long, hot afternoons. Beaches, being at sea level, are warmer, and the central highlands, where 80% of the population lives, are cool enough during the day that almost none of the residents have air conditioning, and warm enough at night that no one has heating.
Costa Rica‘s seasons can be identified by various names.
The winter, taking place from May to November, can also be called Rainy Season, Low Season, or Green Season.
The summer, taking place from December to April, is also known as Dry Season, or High Season.
The reason for calling the seasons either Winter or Summer, or Rainy or Dry Season, goes without saying. The terms Low and High Season are used in regards to the perceived popularity of visiting the country as far as tourism is concerned, and the word ‘Green’ was created by slick Costa Rican tourism marketers because they understood the importance of words and perceptions. What sounds better- “Let’s visit Costa Rica during the rainy season,” or “Let’s visit Costa Rica during the green season” ?
The ONLY difference between the two seasons is the amount of rainfall. Keep in mind, the temperatures in Costa Rica are fairly constant year round, with variations more a function of altitude than season.
Travel to Costa Rica anytime. There’s always beauty nearby.
If you’re thinking about visiting Costa Rica, don’t let the weather stop you. During the winter-time, prices are split nearly in half, and crowds considerably thin out. At this time of year, you can usually get good deals on airfare and hotels. If your interest is hanging out at the beaches, then by all means, plan your trip for the summer-time. Perfect sunny days are the norm during this season and if it does rain, it’s usually in the afternoon and usually for short amounts of time. There are some areas where the rainfall is abundant, particularly on the Caribbean slopes and in the southwest area of the country. If you’re heading to a remote area, such as the Osa Peninsula, the rains may turn unpaved roads into impassable stews of mud, and simple streams into raging rivers. If you’re the adventure and naturalist type, well, everything is so damn beautiful that the rain shouldn’t stop you from participating in whatever activity you choose. It’s called the Tropical Rainforest for a reason.
Although it can rain in certain parts of the country at any given time, it is less likely during the Dry Season. In Guanacaste and on the Nicoya Peninsula, the dry season is bone-dry and hardly a drop of rain falls during these months. Wildlife can be easier to spot during this time as it concentrates around shrinking water sources, and the deciduous trees drop their leaves, thinning the camouflage. Conversely, Arctic storms drive ocean swells southward during this time of year, and therefore, the surf tends to be more reliable for the surfers. Although some of the more popular tourist destinations can get quite crowded, you can actually benefit from the tourist crowds. Everything is open and running extended hours, bars and nightclubs are much more fun, and you’re more likely to catch good live music and other performances during this time.
There are some disadvantages to consider about traveling during High Season. Places are more crowded and prices are higher. Reservations are harder to get. Ticos, as well as international travelers, flee to beaches, volcano and Costa Rica’s top destinations, particularly during Easter week and from Christmas to the first week of January.
Rain & Tropical Storms
Our “style” of rain in the equatorial region is very different to that which falls in most of the United States, Because it’s not from ice crystals, it is surprisingly warm. In fact, Serendipity rarely cancels events because of rain. About the only activity we cancel because of rain is ballooning. The weather here does not get pushed along by frontal systems, like in the United States. We therefore don’t get hurricanes or tornadoes. That’s the good news. The bad news is that there are some storms that form “right over your head,” as we would explain. We call these “temporals.” These storms can sometimes stay right over-head for 2 to 5 days, and there is no jet stream to push it out to sea. There is rarely lightening and no wind, only constant, often deafeningly hard, rain. These temporals are completely unpredictable; they can, and do, happen year round. Interestingly enough, you can usually find some place in the country that is free of the storm. Sometimes, you can just cross the Continental Divide and go right into or out of a temporal.
Hurricanes
Even though Costa Rica is in the Caribbean, it is so far south that it is very rare for a hurricane to strike land over Costa Rica. Of course, it never hurts to check with your local weatherman (or woman) before you travel.
Story by Diana Wilson
