SeasonMapCosta Rica in December
December is Costa Rica's 5th-best month (rank 5 of 12): its 10 destinations average 77/100, led by Tamarindo at 89 — 34°C and 4 rainy days — while Monteverde is cooler at 25°C and scores 85.
#5 of 12 months for Costa Rica · 10 destinations · updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Where in Costa Rica in December
| # | Place | Type | Feels-like high | Rain | Comfort | At its best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamarindo | Beach | 34°C | 26 mm · 4 days | 89 tier A | — |
| 2 | Nosara | Beach | 36°C | 64 mm · 11 days | 87 tier A | — |
| 3 | Santa Teresa | Beach | 34°C | 58 mm · 11 days | 87 tier A | — |
| 4 | Monteverde | Trekking hub | 25°C | 58 mm · 7 days | 85 tier A | — |
| 5 | San José | City | 29°C | 135 mm · 15 days | 78 tier B | — |
| 6 | Jacó | Beach | 33°C | 279 mm · 29 days | 72 tier B | — |
| 7 | Puerto Viejo | Beach | 31°C | 261 mm · 23 days | 71 tier B | — |
| 8 | Manuel Antonio | Beach | 32°C | 438 mm · 30 days | 70 tier B | — |
| 9 | La Fortuna | Trekking hub | 28°C | 190 mm · 21 days | 68 tier C | — |
| 10 | Tortuguero | National park | 32°C | 262 mm · 28 days | 60 tier C | — |
Comfort is SeasonMap's 0–100 score; each place is judged through the lens that suits it — beaches on beach weather, ski resorts on snow. "At its best" means December is one of that place's own top three months. Feels-like highs fold in humidity, wind and sun.
What's on in Costa Rica in December
- Arribada at Ostional · Nosara · 1 Jul – 31 Dec (usually)
- Christmas and New Year · Nosara and 7 more places · 18 Dec – 3 Jan
- Olive ridley nesting · Jacó · 15 Aug – 15 Dec (usually)
- Leatherback nesting at Las Baulas · Tamarindo · 20 Oct – 15 Feb
- Festival de la Luz · San José · 5–15 Dec (usually)
- Fiestas de Zapote · San José · 25 Dec – 4 Jan
Peak crowds at 2 of Costa Rica's 4 well-known places this month.