Best time to visit Costa Rica
Best time of year to visit Costa Rica
Costa Rica is famous for its abundant wildlife, beaches, and volcanoes. This tropical country is washed by the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans. The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season from November to April. Early November is the time for Dia de Los Muertos celebration and La Ruta de Los Conquistadores, a challenging mountain bike race. The dry season promises prime surfing conditions on the Caribbean coast and good weather for trekking to Poas and Irazu volcanoes. Don't miss out on the "Festival of the Diablitos" in late December, which celebrates the victory of Boruca tribe over Spanish colonisers. The period from May to October brings so-called 'green season' with afternoon rain downpours and lower rates. In July and August the clouds get thinner, whales cross the Pacific waters on their way from Antarctica, and surfing conditions on the Pacific coast are just right.
18 THINGS TO DO IN COSTA RICA (MARCH 05 - MARCH 14)
Poas Volcano
Arenal may be the most visited volcano, but Poas is definitely the most spectacular!
Resplendent Quetzal
Used to be called "precious" by Aztecs, resplendent quetzal is considered to be the most beautiful bird on Earth
Whale Watching
Coasta Rica is one of the greatest places to watch wales
Leatherback Turtles on the Pacific
Costa Rica is full of spots to watch turtles during their nesting period
Leatherback Turtles on the North Caribbean
Watching turtles is one of the best activities in Costa Rica, especially the largest species
Cashew
Cashew nut is topped by paprika-like pseudo fruit and has to be roasted before consumption
Irazu Volcano
The highest active volcano in Costa Rica
Tamarind Fruit
A huge tree that gives plenty of shade and healthy fruits once in six years
Kiteboarding and Windsurfing
Lake Arenal and Bahia Salinas offer the best winds in Costa Rica
Panama Canal Cruises
Experience "the Crossroads of the World" connecting the Pacific and Atlantic
Mango Season
There are few people who do not like mango, especially in Costa Rica—the mango kingdom
Fishing in Quepos
Prime time for anglers to experience tropical water fishing
Surfing
In Costa Rica you will find some of the best waves on the planet
Eating Iguanas
What can be more bizarre than the ancient traditions? Only the ancient traditional cuisine choices
Star Apple or Caimito
Sweet and healthy orange-sized fruit
Papaya
One of the largest fruits in Costa Rica
Diquis Spheres (Las Bolas)
The origin of Costa Rican Las Bolas still remain a mystery
Sapodilla Season
With a thin gray rind and oval in shape, this most-liked fruit is larger than a baseball!
34 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE
Limón Carnival
out of rangeTaking place in the port city of Limon, the carnival celebrates nice weather and joy of life
La Ruta de Los Conquistadores
out of rangeOne of the most difficult mountain bike races in the world
Palmares Festival
out of rangeOne of the biggest festivals in Costa Rica, it includes two weeks of endless fun
Arenal Volcano
out of rangeArenal is Costa Rica's most well-known volcano
Reto Jacó Extremo
out of rangeThe Jaco Extreme Challenge is a run of 10k through the tough area
Olive Ridley Turtles
out of rangeArribada nesting strategy is fun to watch!
Envision Festival
out of rangeAn annual gathering to promote sustainable development and raise the sense of community
Coffee Harvest
out of rangeCosta Rica offers some of the best coffee beans in the world
Fiestas Típicas Nacionales Santa Cruz
out of rangeThe festival with lots of dancing and music that also honours the Black Christ of Esquipulas
Rafting
out of rangeDiscover why Costa Rica is a prime rafting destination
Fiestas Civicas Liberia
out of rangeA rodeo-like event full of adrenaline and danger
Festival of the Diablitos
out of rangeOne of the most authentic festivals, it's dedicated to the victory of Boruca tribe over Spanish invadors
Fiesta de La Virgen del Mar
out of rangeOn this day fishing boats and yachts are decorated colourfully in Puntarenas
El Tope Nacional
out of rangeThe biggest horse parade in the country takes place San José with fun activities and traditional attractions
Easter and Holy Week (Semana Santa)
out of rangeThe week before Easter is of a huge importance and has plenty of interesting traditions to observe in Costa Rica
Fiestas de Zapote
out of rangeA week of bullfighting, carnival rides, entertainment, and fair food
Hawksbill Turtles
out of rangeThese turtles have a peculiar pattern and beak, and are critically endangered
Birdwatching
out of rangePlenty of birds all year round could be watched in Costa Rica, however, bird migrations are the real highlight
Chirripó Race or Carrera Chirripó
out of rangeRun up the country's highest peak at the annual International Chirripó Race in San Gerardo
Parrita Mule Festival
out of rangeFestival Nacional de las Mulas is now one of the biggest in Costa Rica
Green Turtles
out of rangeOne of the most famous and beautiful species that is also regarded endangered
Pitaya or Dragon Fruit
out of rangeThis fruit growing on a cactus can be found on trees or rocky terrains
New Year's Eve
out of rangeFamous for its surf breaks and beaches, Costa Rica is a perfect New Year's Eve tropical getaway
Día de los Muertos
out of rangeColorful holiday commemorates the deceased
Mammee Apple
out of rangeAn evergreen tree that can grow up to 25 meters gives a large and round fruit
Orchids
out of rangeThe symbol of Costa Rica, this flower is famous for its beauty and colorful charm. Orchid is the country's pride
Mamoncillo
out of rangeAlso known as Spanish lime, this round fruit is good for juice and a healthy snack.
Masquerade Day (La Mascarada)
out of rangeAn authentic Helloween tradition of Costa Rica
Mandarin Orange
out of rangeSimilar to orange, but smaller, very juicy and sweet
Guanacaste Day
out of rangeThe celebration of Guanacaste’s annexation to Costa Rica
Passion Fruit or Maracuya
out of rangeSweet fruit is healthy and gives tasty juice
Cantaloupe
out of rangeSimilar to melon, this fruit has hard beige skin, and sweet yellowish flesh
Sapote
out of rangeThe large fruit with sweet taste
Independence Day
out of rangeWidely celebrated, the Independence Day is a central national holiday
