Every Province. Every Season. Every Type of Trip.
Costa Rica has seven provinces and four distinct travel seasons. Where you go and when you go changes everything.
When You Go Matters as Much as Where
Four seasons, two coasts, completely different trips.
Dry Season — December to April
Peak conditions across the Pacific coast and Central Valley. Clear skies, minimal rain, and the most reliable weather in the country. Book accommodation and national park entry tickets early — this is high season and the best properties fill months in advance. Guanacaste beaches are at their best. Manuel Antonio is crowded but justifiably so.
Green Season — May to July
The transition into rain. Mornings are clear, afternoons bring short showers, and the landscape turns intensely green. Prices drop, crowds thin, and the country becomes more itself. The Pacific is still very manageable in these months. One of the best times to visit for travelers who want Costa Rica without the peak-season crowds and prices.
Rainy Season Pacific — August to October
The heaviest rain on the Pacific side. Guanacaste in September can feel relentless. But the Caribbean coast often runs counter — August and September are frequently dry in Puerto Viejo and Cahuita when the Pacific is at its wettest. Know which coast you're on. The difference is significant.
Caribbean Year-Round
The Caribbean coast follows its own rhythm, largely independent of the Pacific season. Two distinct wet periods — June/July and December/January — with relatively dry stretches in between. September and October are often the best months on the Caribbean. Most travelers don't know this until they've already booked the wrong coast.
The Seven Provinces
Each one a different country, practically. Tap a province to explore it.
Alajuela
Arenal, La Fortuna, Atenas, Central Valley
San José
Capital city, day trips, gateway to everywhere
Heredia
Coffee country, Sarapiquí, Barva Volcano
Cartago
Irazú Volcano, Orosi Valley, Guayabo Monument
Puntarenas
Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Osa Peninsula, Pacific Coast
Guanacaste
Beaches, Nosara, Tamarindo, Rincon de la Vieja
Limón
Caribbean Coast, Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, Cahuita
Not sure which province fits your trip?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll point you in the right direction — or let us build the whole plan.