CR San José, Costa Rica

San José
Which Season to Choose?

San José, Costa Rica base camp — volcanoes, cloud forests and Caribbean + Pacific coasts 3h away.

Updated: March 2026 · Open-Meteo · 10 years · 12 months compared · 9.93°N 84.08°W
February & MarchBest months
26°COptimal temperature
18%Rainy days

When to visit San José?

🌞 Best time overall
February
🌡️ Optimal temperature
16°C–26°C in February
🌧 Least rain
18% rainy days in February
🌧 Wettest month
October (94%)
📅 Best score
8.7/10

Best time by type of trip

🌋Poás & Irazú volcanoesDec–Apr — active craters, cloud forests, dry season.
🌿Monteverde & ArenalDec–Apr — hanging bridges, hot springs, wildlife.
🍽️Mercado CentralYear-round — casado, gallo pinto, fresh tropical juices.
💰BudgetMay–Nov — green season, prices –30%, lush landscapes.

San José weather month by month

MonthMin °CMax °CRainy days (%)Precip. mm/dSun h/dScore
☀️ January16°C25°C24%1.311.0h8.3/10
☀️ February16°C26°C18%1.011.5h8.7/10
🌤️ March16°C27°C25%1.111.7h8.7/10
🌤️ April17°C27°C54%3.811.2h7.6/10
🌧️ May17°C26°C86%12.18.8h7.0/10
🌧️ June17°C24°C94%13.08.1h5.4/10
⛅ July17°C25°C76%9.78.9h7.0/10
🌧️ August17°C25°C85%12.69.0h7.0/10
🌧️ September16°C25°C96%14.68.2h5.6/10
🌧️ October16°C24°C94%17.78.0h5.2/10
🌧️ November17°C24°C81%11.38.8h7.0/10
🌤️ December16°C24°C37%2.811.0h7.8/10
Ideal Fair Challenging climate Source: Open-Meteo · 10 years

What to expect each season

🌸 Spring (Mar–May) — Good time

Average 27°C, 55% rainy days, 10.6h sunshine/day. Score: 7.8/10.

☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) — Acceptable

Average 25°C, 85% rainy days, 8.7h sunshine/day. Score: 6.5/10.

🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov) — Acceptable

Average 24°C, 90% rainy days, 8.3h sunshine/day. Score: 5.9/10.

❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb) — Good time

Average 25°C, 26% rainy days, 11.2h sunshine/day. Score: 8.3/10.

Find a place to stay in San José

Check availability during the recommended period

Tip : May, July offer a good weather/price balance — decent score with fewer crowds.

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Activities and tours in San José

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences. Browse activities on GetYourGuide

Find a flight to San José

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Detailed weather by month

Frequently asked questions

February is ideal with 18% rainy days and 26°C. The months of February & March offer comparable conditions.
October is the wettest month with 94% rainy days.
Yes, February is the best month with an average of 26°C.
In winter, the average score is 8.3/10. Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.

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