Most tourists excitedly Google ‘weather’ when looking to book a holiday. Even more so when it comes to Costa Rica. The country’s weather has always been a mystery to first time holidaymakers. Boasting a tropical clime that is sometimes hard to categorise, experts have done their best to classify it into two categories. The dry season forming the first and the wet season forming the latter. The titles may sound pretty self explanatory but both seasons are sometimes seen overlapping one another therefore making it hard to determine weather patterns. It is often joked that Britain has the most unpredictable weather and however true this may be, Costa Rica must rank at a close second on the scale of mysterious weather.
Costa Rica may be small in size but when it comes to nature and its forces, everything is big! The sun can shine without a cloud in the sky on some days whilst on others- the heavens open with no sign of closing. Put aside the inconvenience aspect of unpredictable weather and what you will realise is the varied climate is exactly what is needed for the country to flourish. With no specified ‘winter period’, Costa Rica attracts tourists year round. Geographical elevations are to blame for some of the country’s inconsistent weather. Regions differ greatly with regards to landscape and flora and precipitation (or lack of it) is received accordingly.
Though a driving factor in the decision making of holiday makers, the weather of Costa Rica is seldom off-putting. It may be unexpected or unnecessary in the eyes of a visitor but it is a vital requirement for the environmental well-being of the country. When considering travel (or what areas to avoid and when) here is a rough guide. The region of Guanacaste is said to experience drier climates as it is situated in the lowlands, whilst the cloud forests of Montverde are often misty and heavily humid. As unusual as it may sound, the city of San Jose actually has a more temperate climate in comparison with concentrated sunrays being counteracted by inbound cooling coastal breezes. In a general sense, December to April is considered the dry season, with the months of May to November forming the wetter months. The average range of temperature in Costa Rica is between 21- 27 degrees Celsius, however, it is not uncommon for it to be cooler during the drier months. From a tourist’s perspective, visiting between the months of April until October would be ideal. Though there is a higher amount of rain in these months, there is also a higher concentration of heat that follows ensuring those sun drenched beach days!
Overall, the weather is something you have no control over. The best thing is to accept and embrace it. It is the weather that ensures the preservation of natural beauty. In Costa Rica, it is it’s inconsistency that keeps its environment consistent.
By Jaz Chopra
