Best time to visit Costa Rica & Panama

The best time to visit Costa Rica & Panama is January to March, judged across 13 places; October is its low season.

in seasongoodnot its bestlow season

Updated September 2026 · Latin America & the Caribbean · 13 places, each judged for what it is · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Costa Rica & Panama month by month

MonthSeasonWhyBest places
Januaryin seasondry season · 27°C highs · 10 h sunTamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresa
Februaryin seasondry season · 28°C highs · 11 h sunSanta Teresa, Nosara, Tamarindo
Marchin seasondry season · 28°C highs · 11 h sunSanta Teresa, Tamarindo, Nosara
Aprilgooddry season · 29°C highs · 10 h sunTamarindo, Santa Teresa, Monteverde
Maynot its bestmonsoon · best Jan–MarBocas del Toro, Tamarindo, Monteverde
Junenot its bestmonsoon · best Jan–MarBocas del Toro, Jacó, Monteverde
Julynot its bestmonsoon · best Jan–MarMonteverde, Tamarindo, Santa Teresa
Augustnot its bestmonsoon · best Jan–MarBocas del Toro, Monteverde, Puerto Viejo
Septembernot its bestmonsoon · best Jan–MarBocas del Toro, Puerto Viejo, Santa Teresa
Octoberlow seasonmonsoon · best Jan–MarBocas del Toro, Puerto Viejo, Monteverde
Novembernot its bestmonsoon · best Jan–MarTamarindo, Santa Teresa, Monteverde
Decembergooddry season · 27°C highs · 10 h sunTamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresa

In season: one of the region's three best months, and good in its own right. Low season: one of its three worst, and well below its best. The reasons compare each month with the region's own year and name the seasons on the ground — monsoon, autumn colour, hurricanes — where most of its places share them.

All 13 places in Costa Rica & Panama

Costa Rica & Panama — FAQ

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica & Panama?
January to March. In March: dry season · 28°C highs · 11 h sun.
When is the low season in Costa Rica & Panama?
October. In October: monsoon · best Jan–Mar.
Which months are in season in Costa Rica & Panama?
January to March — the months among its best that are also good in their own right.