In many parts of North America, we tend to think of seasons in terms of weather, and expect to enjoy four distinctly different seasons.
Closer to the equator, that’s not the case, and in Costa Rica, in relation to weather, you will experience two seasons, known by locals as the dry season, and the green season. For the full scoop on weather in Costa Rica, check out our Traveller’s Guide!
When it comes to tourism, however, there are three seasons that you need to understand in order to have the best possible experience in Costa Rica. These seasons are known as:
- Holiday Season (the busiest) is, as the name implies, during the period around Christmas and New Year.
- High Season brackets the holiday season, beginning in mid-November and running until the end of April, with a secondary high season in July/August when North American families are enjoying their school break.
- Low Season covers most of the green season, runs from May to June, and from August to mid-November when the high season begins again.
Most people visit Costa Rica during the high season because the weather is phenomenal. If you are planning to do the same, you should know a few things that will help you deal with the unique challenges that a busy tourist season brings.
What’s the Weather Like During High Season?
The main reason that Mid-November to March is so popular for tourists is that the weather is exceptionally consistent. While the average temperature varies from place to place depending on the elevation, much of the country enjoys temperatures ranging from 30-35 degrees C (86-95 F) daily.
There is something very comforting in knowing exactly what to expect, and waking up to clear blue skies and perfect tropical weather every day means that you can plan lots of outdoor adventures without fear of being rained out.
You do, however, need to be prepared with lots of water and some potent sunscreen, so you can enjoy the outdoors safely. As with many hot locations, people like to get moving early in Costa Rica, and then have a bit of downtime during the hottest period of the day, and it makes sense to follow their example.
Since the temperature remains consistent, even after the sun goes down, you can enjoy your outdoor time well into the evening. The only real exception to this is at the highest elevations, where you may wish to bring a few layers for the evening.
A Typical Day During High Season
It is also important to note that since we are located close to the equator, the sun rises and sets at the same time (or close to it) all year long.
For many people, the day begins when the sun comes up (around 5:30) because the weather is a little cooler. The pura vida lifestyle we enjoy revolves around nature, healthy pursuits, strong Costa Rican coffee, and fresh, locally-sourced food, so breakfast is often enjoyed outdoors.
A typical Costa Rican breakfast includes gallo pinto (rice and beans), eggs, handmade corn tortillas, plantains, queso (cheese), and whatever fruit is handy or in season. For more information about traditional Costa Rican meals, click here.
Early morning is a great time to plan your outdoor adventure, and in Monteverde, there are lots of things to choose from, whether you want to explore the world beneath the canopy with a hike through Monteverde’s Cloud Forest, or you want to book a zipline tour and get a little wild. Taking advantage of the cooler morning temperatures is common here.
Lunch is typically a less formal meal since we all like to stay busy and enjoy the outdoors. You can expect to see the locals stop at the local panadería to load up on stuffed breads or pastries that they can eat on the go, and I highly recommend trying a few of these tasty treats yourself.
In most parts of the country, when the true heat of the day arrives, you can find people relaxing in the shade with their pastries and coffee. This lull can last a couple of hours, and it’s a great time to relax and unwind before the nighttime festivities begin. Up in Monteverde, our cool temperatures and dense canopy mean you can stay out all day, but you’ll still find many people savoring the peace of the early afternoon.
Where we enjoy extended dusk in Central America during the summer months, you can expect the sun to set between 5:30 and 6:00 pm. In many areas, taking a pause to watch the colors of the sky is part of the daily routine.
Then the outdoor lights come on, and people continue with their day. The evening meal is generally served later than North Americans may expect, and may carry on for a few hours. Typical meal times are friendly gatherings with long conversations, lots of amazing food and music, so don’t expect to be rushed through it.
Tips & Tricks For Visiting During High Season
The high season is a great time to enjoy a Costa Rican Vacation, and that’s why so many people do it. So if you enjoy sunshine, tropical temperatures, and plentiful outdoor activities, we highly recommend a visit.
There are a few things to keep in mind though, so you don’t find yourself disappointed by long lines and overbooked attractions.
- Book flights and accommodations early (statistically 6 months before your trip gets you the best rate) to get the best selection.
- Book your rental car early as well, the closer you get to high season, the higher the prices!
- Do your research, so you have an idea of what you want to see and do before you arrive.
- Work with experienced tour companies, like Ocotea Tours and Transfer, they can recommend the best time to visit each attraction so you arrive when there are fewer lines.
- Consider booking a package that includes transportation and tours. Sometimes, a few moments to relax between adventures rather than planning the next one is a godsend.
- Ask hotel staff for restaurant recommendations to find the hidden gems that the locals enjoy.
- Be flexible. There is so much to do, having a plan B can remove the stress if you do happen to arrive at your destination and see a long line.
- Costa Ricans enjoy the beauty of high season on the weekends too, so for a quieter experience try visiting popular attractions mid-week.
Must-See Monteverde Attractions and Events
And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention a list of some of the absolute must-sees around Monteverde, like:
- El Tigre Waterfall Tour
- Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Horseback Riding
- Ziplining or Canopy Tours
- Hanging Bridges
- Butterfly Garden
- Orchid Garden Tours
- Learn About the Quakers
- Farmer’s Market
- Artisan Market (CASEM Co-op)
- Coffee and Chocolate Tours
For a full list, some recommendations, and a guide to getting around town, you can explore our map to Monteverde here!
The Bottom Line
There is never a bad time to visit Monteverde and discover what makes it so unique, but having the best possible experience during the high season can take a little extra planning, a sense of pura vida, and a willingness to work around the occasional crowd. We hope this article will help prepare you for a dream vacation in paradise, and we can’t wait to see you.
