What is the busiest tourist month in Costa Rica?

January and February are peak travel months in Costa Rica. The weather around the country is gorgeous, with less rain and comfortable temperatures.



The busiest tourist month in Costa Rica is consistently January, followed closely by late December and March (especially during Easter/Semana Santa). January falls in the heart of the "Dry Season," offering the most reliable sunny weather for beachgoers and hikers on the Pacific coast. During this "Peak Season," international arrivals surge as travelers from the Northern Hemisphere escape winter, leading to the highest hotel prices of the year and fully booked national parks like Manuel Antonio and Arenal. While the "Green Season" (May–November) is quieter and cheaper, the transition back to high-demand begins in mid-December. In 2026, the "swell" of tourism in January means that popular tours and car rentals often require booking at least 3 to 6 months in advance. For those looking to avoid the absolute peak while still enjoying good weather, mid-February or early May are often recommended as they offer a balance of manageable crowds and lower "shoulder season" pricing compared to the January rush.

People Also Ask

It's Cheaper to Travel Costa Rica has a few different travel seasons: the high season (December to April), the peak season (the weeks around Christmas, New Years, and Easter), and the low season (generally May to November, but sometimes hotels consider July and August to be high season too). What is this?

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You can have a great time on either side of Costa Rica but here are some reasons why you should visit one over the other. Two of the main reasons why you should visit the Pacific side of Costa Rica over the Caribbean are that there are more choices and a closer proximity to the international airport and attractions.

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Rainy season in Costa Rica is generally beginning of May to end of November. Although there aren't the four seasons in Costa Rica, rainy season is considered Costa Rica's “winter.” The transition months from dry to rainy are April and May. The rainiest months in Costa Rica are September and October.

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A week of vacation in Costa Rica costs between $850 and $1,450 for an average traveler in mid-priced hotels, lodges or rental houses and doing standard tours (assuming double occupancy). Beachfront accommodations and high dollar activities like deep sea fishing will quickly push the budget over $2,500.

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We recommend spending 10 days to two weeks in Costa Rica, as this timeframe will give you enough time to cover all the major highlights while also including time for traveling from one destination to another.

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It's easy to experience sticker shock when checking into eco-lodges and renting vehicles and booking tours in Costa Rica. Indeed, it is the most expensive country in Central America, thanks to a booming economy and well-developed tourist sector.

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1 USD = 531.768093 CRC Oct 19, 2023 00:57 UTC Check the currency rates against all the world currencies here. The currency converter below is easy to use and the currency rates are updated frequently.

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Wash your hands before eating, Take sensible precautions with where you eat while travelling around the country. Chose places with a high turnover so the food will be fresh, avoid eating uncooked vegetables and unpasteurized milk and dairy products such as cheese and yogurt.

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Is $20 a lot in Costa Rica? It can be a lot, but it depends on your buying. However, you can easily find an excellent meal for two people for around $20 in Costa Rica, along with some great fruits, vegetables, and other goodies at the markets or soda shops.

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Tap water in Costa Rica is generally clean and safe to drink. In some areas of the country, though, mainly on the Caribbean side and in non-touristy pockets around the country, it's best to stick to bottled water.

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The main international airports in Costa Rica are Juan Santamaría International Airport (also known as San Jose International Airport) and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (also known as Guanacaste Airport or Daniel Oduber International Airport, formerly named Liberia International Airport).

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The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is a beautiful region that is generally less developed and touristy than the Pacific side. The weather here is in stark contrast to the other side as the best weather is in September and October.

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