When to Go to Costa Rica
To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.
Climate
Costa Rica has a tropical climate with an average temperature of 22 degrees C (72 degrees F) that increases considerably on the coastal areas. The changes in temperature are considerable and due to the short distances in this relatively small country, they can all be experienced in just one day.
Due to factors such as the geographical location, the weather conditions, the formation of mountain chains, mountains, and valleys, this country experiences different microclimates that give a home to different types of vegetation.
The following climates in the country can be categorized in the following regions :
The high and cold region: With an elevation of 3,000 to 3,100 meters in altitude with temperatures of 0 degrees C.
The hot region: The elevation is above 1,500 meters in altitude, with temperatures between 14 degrees C and 18 degrees C.
The humid tropical region: The elevation is up to 1,100 meters in altitude with temperatures between 25 and 26 degrees C.
The tropical region: Pertaining to the dry season, with temperatures between 26 and 27 degrees C.
The inter-mountainous valley region with an elevation between 1,000 and 1,100 meters in altitude which is a characteristic of the central valley, with temperatures that range from 14 to 18 degrees C.
Due to the weather characteristics and the topography of the country, different types of forests can be appreciated: the cloud forest, the rain forest, the dry forest, and the transition forest.
Seasonality
In general, the climate in Costa Rica is very pleasant not only during the dry season, which extends from December to April but also during the rainy season, which runs from May to November. During the rainy season rain can be expected in the afternoons, on the other hand the mornings are usually sunny.
National Holidays
| Date |
Description |
| 01 Jan 00 |
New Years Day |
| 19 Mar 08 |
St Josephs Day |
| 11 Apr 08 |
Juan Santamaria Day |
| 01 May 08 |
Labour Day |
| 29 Jun 08 |
St Peter and St Pauls Day |
| 25 Jul 08 |
Guanacaaste Day |
| 02 Aug 08 |
Virgin de los Angeles Day |
| 15 Aug 08 |
Mothers Day and Assumption Day |
| 15 Sep 08 |
Independence Day |
| 12 Oct 08 |
Columbus Day |
| 02 Nov 08 |
All Souls Day |
| 08 Dec 08 |
Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary |
| 25 Dec 08 |
Christmas Day |
