San José, Costa Rica

🇨🇷 San José, Costa Rica



5:2617:40
100 USD = 45400 CRC
TaxiTaxi:
Safety: High degree of caution

Forecast by:
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Temp (°C)27°
22°
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28°
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Precipitation76%46%71%83%84%94%96%
Humidity71%60%72%73%73%74%81%
Wind22 km/h28 km/h22 km/h20 km/h19 km/h19 km/h9 km/h

Best time to visit Costa Rica

The best time to visit San José is December to April, when conditions are generally mild and dry, with May and June also rated well if you can plan around rain. July and August are wetter, while September and October have the heaviest rain, with flooding and landslides potentially disrupting roads and excursions.

JanuaryGreatTemp (°C)21°Rain (mm)26Sun Hours9Dry Days18

January is mild and dry, around 18-24°C. It is well suited to city sightseeing and Central Valley excursions.

FebruaryGreatTemp (°C)21°Rain (mm)24Sun Hours9Dry Days18

February is mild and dry, around 18-25°C, with low rainfall. Museums, markets and day trips are good choices.

MarchGreatTemp (°C)22°Rain (mm)29Sun Hours9Dry Days20

March is warm and generally dry, around 18-26°C. City exploring and visits to nearby highland towns are practical.

AprilGreatTemp (°C)22°Rain (mm)97Sun Hours9Dry Days13

April is warm and fairly dry, around 19-26°C. Urban sightseeing and Central Valley excursions fit the prevailing conditions.

MayGreatTemp (°C)22°Rain (mm)294Sun Hours7Dry Days8

May is warm, around 19-26°C, with seasonal rain. Morning outings are useful, while afternoon showers can interrupt outdoor plans.

JuneGreatTemp (°C)22°Rain (mm)336Sun Hours6Dry Days4

June is mild, around 19-25°C, with frequent rain. Flexible itineraries suit sightseeing between showers.

JulyOKTemp (°C)22°Rain (mm)265Sun Hours7Dry Days6

July is mild, around 18-25°C, with regular seasonal rain. Wet conditions can complicate longer excursions.

AugustOKTemp (°C)22°Rain (mm)280Sun Hours7Dry Days6

August is mild, around 18-25°C, with regular rain. Outdoor plans need room for showers; turtle and whale viewing begins elsewhere in Costa Rica.

SeptemberAvoidTemp (°C)22°Rain (mm)315Sun Hours7Dry Days5

September is mild, around 18-25°C, with the year's heaviest rain. Flooding and landslides can disrupt roads and excursions.

OctoberAvoidTemp (°C)21°Rain (mm)402Sun Hours6Dry Days5

October is mild, around 18-25°C, with prolonged heavy rain. Flooding and landslides can make roads difficult and interrupt excursions.

NovemberGreatTemp (°C)20°Rain (mm)165Sun Hours6Dry Days7

November is mild, around 18-24°C, with seasonal rain. Parks and Central Valley outings suit flexible plans between showers.

DecemberGreatTemp (°C)21°Rain (mm)61Sun Hours8Dry Days15

December is mild, around 18-24°C, with generally dry conditions. San José and Central Valley sightseeing are practical throughout the month.

Sources: audleytravel.com, en.wikivoyage.org

Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour with a Nature Specialist

Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour with a Nature Specialist

Cost: From 49 USD · Duration: 4 hours · 4.8 (4,568 reviews)

The regular group is of 8 to 10 people. The tour is a nature walk in the Manuel Antonio National Park with a nature specialist. Manuel Antonio Park is considered to be one of the most diverse habitats in the world. The high number of species per square meter is countless. Monkeys, sloths, lizards, toucans, hummingbirds, lizards, and a lot more. Our

Mangrove Boat Tour Damas Island, Manuel Antonio

Mangrove Boat Tour Damas Island, Manuel Antonio

Cost: From 75 USD · Duration: 4 hours · 4.9 (2,873 reviews)

Pickup time for this tour depends to the high tide. We'll give you the pickup time right after receiving your booking. The mangrove forest is one of the most vital and astounding ecosystems in the world. Damas Island, located just 10 minutes from Manuel Antonio is currently one of the most important remaining mangroves in Costa Rica. Covering thous

La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs Full Day Tour

La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs Full Day Tour

Cost: From 92.4 USD · Duration: 11 hours · 4.8 (2,582 reviews)

The tour that has it all!! In this tour we will proudly show you the spectaculair nature that La Fortuna area has to offer. We will take you allong rivers, over high hanging bridges, jungle staircases, mountain trails, the magnificent la Fortuna waterfall, butterfly garden, Maleku Indian village, giant tree forest, el lago verde, lava rock fields,

North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour

North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour

Cost: From 46 USD · Duration: 2.5 hours · 5.0 (2,570 reviews)

North Fields Cafe offers a two hour local family owned experience in Costa Rica, located close to Arenal Volcano area and its hot springs As you move through our fields, you’ll follow the entire process step by step, from freshly picked coffee cherries and cacao pods to the crafted flavors you’ll later enjoy. Walk the plantation: Stroll through cof

Balsa River White Water Rafting class 2/3 in Costa Rica

Balsa River White Water Rafting class 2/3 in Costa Rica

Cost: From 80 USD · Duration: 5 hours · 5.0 (2,088 reviews)

This 2.5-hour journey with your professional guide down a lush Costa Rican river offers the thrill of big waves and excitement for the whole family. Navigate 10 kilometers of white water rapids, stop along the way to rest a bit, do a little swimming, and enjoy some fresh Costa Rica fruit. After white water rafting, enjoy a Costa Rica style lunch at

La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano Combo Tour

La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano Combo Tour

Cost: From 154 USD · 4.9 (1,868 reviews)

perfect for nature lovers. perfect for active travelers ideal if you don't have many vacation days. you will see the 3 best attractions in the area You will visit the best parks in the area start of activities early, to avoid the largest number of tourist groups small groups good food you can take photos of monkeys, sloths amphibians reptiles birds

La Fortuna: Mistico Park Hanging Bridges Guided Tour

La Fortuna: Mistico Park Hanging Bridges Guided Tour

Cost: From 54 USD · 4.7 (1,677 reviews)

The experts will induce you to discover the wonderful secrets of this forest that is a natural sanctuary. One of the benefits of having the guidance of a specialist is their wide knowledge of the species that inhabit the reserve, which allows you to observe more species both in the canopy and the forest floor. The expert eye of the guide will give

Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour - Longest Twin Zip Line in Central America

Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour - Longest Twin Zip Line in Central America

Cost: From 90 USD · Duration: 4.5 hours · 5.0 (1,674 reviews)

Experience the jungle like never before while we take you across zip-lines and hanging bridges on a 500 acre private reserve. Our location allows for some spectacular views of Manuel Antonio, the Rio Naranjo and the Pacific Ocean. We provide a proprietary, hands free braking system which will allow the riders to enjoy the incredible views without t

Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose

Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose

Cost: From 165 USD · Duration: 14 hours · 4.9 (1,647 reviews)

See more of the Arenal Volcano region with the convenience of a full-day tour from San Jose. Take a scenic route to Arenal with views of farms, rain forests, and small towns. Stop at a coffee plantation and sample coffee, as well as traditional snacks. Stop at a waterfall, look for wildlife, and learn about the Costa Rican Native Culture, then have

Brief

  • Try local staples such as gallo pinto, casado, fresh tropical fruit, and Costa Rican coffee.
  • British Airways will move its San José service from Gatwick to Heathrow from 25 October 2026, with five flights per week. Check your airport and connection details if travelling on this route (rustourismnews.com).

Safety and health

  • Chikungunya: An active outbreak has been reported in northwest Costa Rica. Use repellent, wear long sleeves and trousers, and stay in screened or air-conditioned rooms where possible (cdc.gov).
  • Dengue and other mosquito-borne illnesses: Dengue is a year-round risk, while Zika, leishmaniasis and locally reported malaria risk are more relevant in some rural areas than in central San José. Consistently prevent mosquito bites, especially during excursions outside the capital (cdc.gov | wikivoyage.org).
  • Avoid floodwater, mud and contact with potentially contaminated soil after heavy rain; cover cuts and wounds. Tap water is generally safe in urban areas, but use bottled or reliably treated water in rural locations (cdc.gov | wikivoyage.org).
  • Yellow fever vaccination is not routinely recommended for Costa Rica, but a certificate is required for travellers aged 9 months or older arriving from countries with yellow-fever transmission risk. Confirm requirements for your full itinerary before departure (cdc.gov).

Recent News

  • 24 August 2026: Two shallow earthquakes, reported at magnitudes 5.4 and 4.8, struck near Vásquez de Coronado northeast of San José. Aftershocks were felt across the Central Valley, with minor damage and a reported roadside landslide, but no deaths or serious injuries. Travellers should expect possible further tremors and check road conditions before travelling outside the capital (ticotimes.net | euronews.com).
  • 5 September 2026: A major fire in central San José damaged about 4,100 square metres, affecting shops, homes and densely occupied buildings. Firefighters were still extinguishing residual hotspots the following day, so local access and traffic may be disrupted around the site (nacion.com).