Costa Rica · SpringMonth summary
Costa Rica weather in May
✅ Good
🌡️ Temperature min / max
17°C – 26°C
🌧 Rainy days
86% of days
☀️ Sunshine
8.6h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Spring
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
7.0/10
📅 📅 Best month
February (8.6/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Costa Rica in May?
✅ Good
✅ Yes if: you're willing to accept showers in exchange for lower prices and fewer tourists.
❌ No if: you're planning 100% outdoor activities — rain is frequent.
Our take: Costa Rica in May: 26°C and 8.6h of sunshine. Decent, but not the peak.
By trip type
Costa Rica in May by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ✅ Good
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ⚠️ Possible
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ⚠️ Possible
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in May
🎯 Water at 27°C and lively beaches — May is peak swimming season in Costa Rica Spring marks the start of the good season in Costa Rica. Temperatures rise (26°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. With 86% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. February (8.6/10) is significantly better if possible.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ January | 16°C | 25°C | 24% | 1.3 | 10.7h | 8.2/10 |
| ☀️ February | 16°C | 26°C | 18% | 1.0 | 10.9h | 8.6/10 |
| 🌤️ March | 16°C | 27°C | 25% | 1.1 | 11.1h | 8.6/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 17°C | 27°C | 54% | 3.8 | 11.0h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌧️ May | 17°C | 26°C | 86% | 12.1 | 8.6h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌧️ June | 17°C | 24°C | 94% | 13.0 | 7.8h | 5.3/10 |
| ⛅ July | 17°C | 25°C | 76% | 9.7 | 8.6h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌧️ August | 17°C | 25°C | 85% | 12.6 | 8.9h | 6.9/10 |
| 🌧️ September | 16°C | 25°C | 96% | 14.6 | 8.1h | 5.5/10 |
| 🌧️ October | 16°C | 24°C | 94% | 17.7 | 7.9h | 5.2/10 |
| 🌧️ November | 17°C | 24°C | 81% | 11.3 | 8.7h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌤️ December | 16°C | 24°C | 37% | 2.8 | 10.8h | 7.7/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In May, Costa Rica averages 26°C, 86% rainy days and 8.6h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 7.0/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
May vs February (best month)
The best month is February (score 8.6/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +0°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -68%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +2.3h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Costa Rica in May
Is May a good time to visit Costa Rica?
May is an acceptable time for Costa Rica (score 7.0/10). Conditions are decent but not optimal — consider February (8.6/10) if possible.
Does it rain a lot in Costa Rica in May?
Yes, 86% of days see rain in May. Plan some indoor activities as backup.
Accommodation
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