Costa Rica in January

January is one of Costa Rica's best months (rank 3 of 12): its 10 destinations average 84/100, led by Tamarindo at 93 — 34°C and 1 rainy day — while Monteverde is cooler at 25°C and scores 89.

#3 of 12 months for Costa Rica · 10 destinations · updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

🇨🇷 Costa Rica, month by month

84/100 in January
  1. 84Jan
  2. 87Feb
  3. 86Mar
  4. 78Apr
  5. 61May
  6. 57Jun
  7. 63Jul
  8. 61Aug
  9. 59Sep
  10. 54Oct
  11. 63Nov
  12. 77Dec

Where in Costa Rica in January

#PlaceTypeFeels-like highRainComfortAt its best
1TamarindoBeach34°C5 mm · 1 day93 tier SYes
2NosaraBeach36°C21 mm · 4 days92 tier SYes
3Santa TeresaBeach35°C17 mm · 5 days92 tier SYes
4MonteverdeTrekking hub25°C15 mm · 3 days89 tier AYes
5JacóBeach34°C120 mm · 22 days85 tier AYes
6San JoséCity30°C79 mm · 12 days84 tier AYes
7Manuel AntonioBeach33°C175 mm · 26 days82 tier AYes
8Puerto ViejoBeach31°C172 mm · 19 days82 tier AYes
9La FortunaTrekking hub28°C102 mm · 15 days75 tier B—
10TortugueroNational park32°C178 mm · 25 days68 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 January 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 January

  • Christmas and New Year · Nosara and 8 more places · 18 Dec – 3 Jan
  • Leatherback nesting at Las Baulas · Tamarindo · 20 Oct – 15 Feb
  • Fiestas de Zapote · San José · 25 Dec – 4 Jan

Peak crowds at 3 of Costa Rica's 4 well-known places this month.

Better months for Costa Rica

February · 87/100March · 86/100April · 78/100Weakest: October · 54/100
← Costa Rica in DecemberCosta Rica in February →Best time to visit Costa Rica, month by monthCompare: Tamarindo vs Nosara in January