It is very important to know that, although Costa Rica is a small country, there are, what we call, microclimates. This means that there are a lot of different types of climates in the country. It can be very hot and humid in one place and the weather can be completely different at another place that is only 20 km away.
Here you will find some tips on what to bring to Costa Rica and a description of the weather in the different areas of the country.
In this area, the temperature is around 24 degrees throughout the whole year. In the summer, the temperature can rise to 30 degrees. The temperature usually drops during the night so you might need to have a jacket or warm clothing.
The proper clothing for San Jose is fresh and casual clothes. If you are going to have a city tour or a tour to the Poas Volcano area (near San Jose) it is recommended to have closed walking shoes, long pants, and a hat to protect you from the sun.
Puerto Viejo and Cahuita are small villages on the South Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The Southern Caribbean is rustic and you can find small hotels and local restaurants. This is a sun and beach destination. You can do many cultural activities with local people.
The weather is hot and humid, it is advisable to have fresh clothes, sunscreen, and make sure you have bottled water (unlike other destinations in the country the water, in the Southern Caribbean, is undrinkable).
Tortuguero is a remote destination, you can only visit Tortuguero by boat or domestic flight. It is located at the North Caribbean coast but is not a sun and beach destination. It is important to know that it is not allowed to swim in the sea because it can be very dangerous.
The weather in Tortuguero is hot and humid, and as the forest is called a rainforest you can expect a lot of rain. It is recommendable to bring light clothes, a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
The tours in the Tortuguero National Park are in small boats without roofs. So please remember to bring clothes that can protect you from the sun and rain. It is important to know to consume only bottled water in this area.
Manuel Antonio is located in Central Pacific Costa Rica. The weather in this area is warm, you can expect rain but mostly sunny days. Manuel Antonio does not have a lot of beachfront hotels. Most hotels are located in the mountains and have spectacular views.
We advise you to bring swimwear, as well as appropriate clothing for a walk when visiting a National Park, such as closed shoes, long pants, mosquito repellent, and something to protect you from the sun.
Monteverde Cloud Forest is a place up in the mountains and can be a little cold, especially at night.
A popular activity in this area is a hike through the forest, for which you should have closed shoes and long pants. You can expect rain and therefore we also recommend bringing a rain jacket.
We also advise you to bring mosquito repellent.
Guanacaste has lots of beaches and, therefore, it is a sun and beach destination. Most hotels are beachfront hotels or have easy access to the beach.
The climate is hot and dry so it is recommended to bring light and fresh clothes, you will also be needing a bathing suit. Try to always have water within your reach to stay hydrated.
In the area of the Northern Plains, you can find the popular Arenal volcano. The weather in this area is warm and you should always be ready for a little rain.
For the activities in this area, we recommend cool and comfortable clothing. If you have a tour of the La Fortuna Waterfall or to the hot springs you should bring a bathing suit. For hikes, you should wear closed shoes.
The Osa Peninsula is one of the most remote places in Costa Rica, our recommendation is to take a domestic flight to reach this destination. It is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. The most popular activity is a walk through the deep forest.
The climate of this area is hot and humid. As this is a rainforest, you can expect a lot of rain.
It is important to bring everything you need from San Jose or from your previous destination, as there is nothing available. There are no ATMs.
It is recommended to bring insect repellent, sunscreen, a bathing suit, long pants, a sun hat, and closed shoes.
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