Is December a good time to visit Costa Rica?
December is considered to one of the best times to visit Costa Rica. As it’s the beginning of the dry season, the water is reliably warm and sunny, making it the ideal time for outdoor activities such as hiking through Arenal National Park.
Birdwatching in higher elevations like Monteverde and the Cordillera de Talamanca is also good in December. In these areas, you might spot the quetzal among the 900 or so species of bird found here.
December is also an excellent time to go surfing in Costa Rica. Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts offer great waves — try Naranjo or Boca de Barranca. In addition, the country’s white sand beaches, like those in Manuel Antonio National Park, look resplendent this time of year.
And now for the flipside. This being peak season, many of the best places to stay will be booked solid during the North American winter months. In addition, bargains are few and far between.
Tempted to visit? Our tailor-made trip to Northern Costa Rica will see you discover why they call Costa Rica the land of Pura Vida — pure life! — from Arenal volcano and the Monteverde cloud forest, to the beaches of Guanacaste.
What better way to plan a trip than to rely on personalized experiences? Our content manager has traveled to Costa Rica and shares with you what to consider when planning your trip.
Average rainfall in Costa Rica in December
December is part of the dry season in Costa Rica, so there's usually very little rainfall during this month.
In December, the Pacific coast tends to be drier, with little to no rainfall, while the Caribbean coast receives more rain.
On average, the total rainfall in Costa Rica in December is around 2-4 inches (50-100mm).
Decided to book a December break? For further inspiration, discover more of the best places to travel in December.