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San José, Costa Rica · Equatorial tropical

San José: best months to visit

March (9.2/10) · October (4.5/10).

📅 Data updated: October 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 9.93°N · 84.08°W
⚡ Quick answer
March
Depends on your goals
9.2/10
☀️ Mar
Top score (9.2/10)
🌤️ Feb
Alt. (9.1/10)
Oct
Plus rude (4.5/10)
🌊 Seaside☀️ Bright🍴 Gastronomy
Photo par Lisa van Vliet via Unsplash
Decide

When to visit San José?

The decision rests on several criteria. Climate score, tourist crowds and feasible activities.

Verdict: In San José, March and February clearly stand out. October concentrates the least favorable conditions.
Top & avoid
🏆 March · 9.2 February · 9.1 January · 8.9 April · 8.6 ⚠️ October · 4.5
8.9
Jan
9.1
Feb
9.2
Mar
8.6
Apr
7.4
May
4.5
Jun
7.4
Jul
7.3
Aug
4.5
Sep
4.5
Oct
7.4
Nov
8.5
Dec
Best period · ≥ 7 Decent period · 4 – 7 Tough conditions · < 4

What you grasp in 5 seconds

San José offers 9 comfortable months, without any month really to avoid. The gap stays moderate: 9.2 in March vs 4.5 in October.

What to check next

Your tolerance for crowds and budget. The best months concentrate tourist saturation and higher prices. Shoulder seasons offer a good compromise.

Next action

Scroll down to the detailed table to compare month by month, then open the page of the month that interests you.

How we calculate the score

The score combines 4 weighted criteria using 10 years of real climate data (ERA5).

Source : ERA5 · Open-Meteo · 10 years (2016–2025) · Full methodology →

Understand

Compare all 12 months

Month-by-month details: temperature, rain, sunshine, score and verdict.

✅ 9 comfortable months (Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jul · Aug · Nov · Dec)
MonthT° minT° maxRain %mm/daySunScoreVerdict
☀️ January →61°F77°F10%1.3mm9.2h8.9/10Best period
☀️ February →61°F79°F8%1.0mm9.4h9.1/10Best period
☀️ March →61°F81°F10%1.1mm9.1h9.2/10Best period
☀️ April →63°F81°F24%3.8mm8.0h8.6/10Best period
⛅ May →63°F79°F53%12.1mm5.9h7.4/10Best period
🌥️ June →63°F75°F66%13.0mm4.8h4.5/10Decent period
⛅ July →63°F77°F42%9.7mm4.9h7.4/10Best period
⛅ August →63°F77°F52%12.6mm5.1h7.3/10Best period
🌥️ September →61°F77°F72%14.6mm4.9h4.5/10Decent period
🌥️ October →61°F75°F68%17.7mm5.2h4.5/10Decent period
⛅ November →63°F75°F47%11.3mm5.9h7.4/10Best period
☀️ December →61°F75°F17%2.8mm7.9h8.5/10Best period
📊 Quick read
Optimal window
Jan → May
Good transition
Jun · Sep · Oct
Tough period
none
🌡️ Detailed conditions (March)
🌡️ Feel
Warm
☀️ UV
9.5 · Very strong
💧 Humidity feel
57°F · Pleasant
☔ Rain
10% · 1.1 mm/day
🌅 Sunshine
9.1h/day
10-year trend

Annual temperatures — San José

Min/max temperature curves observed over the past 10 years (ERA5). Shows climate stability and trend.

T° maxT° meanT° min57°61°64°68°72°75°79°201620172018201920202021202220232024202578°F — decade peak (2023)+0.22°F / decade
Tailor

For your trip

A few angles depending on what kind of trip you are planning.

🏖️ Beaches: Jun-Sept🌊 Swell: Sept-Mar🚤 Water activities
Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🎟️ Activities & tours · San José

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

See all →
Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach trip.

Country · Costa Rica

🗣️LanguageSpanish
💶CurrencyColón costaricain (₡)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeEquatorial tropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthMarch · 81°F
❄️Coolest monthJune · 75°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘSeptember · 72%

🏖️ Beach trip

📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
Explore

Related destinations & guides

If this destination doesn't fit your dates, here are alternatives and guides.

Location

Where is San José ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Equatorial tropical climate with a 9.2 → 4.5 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
9.93°N · 84.08°W
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit San José?
February is the best month with 79°F highs, 61°F lows, 9.4h of sunshine and 8.0% rainy days. The months of February & March offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does San José get in February?
San José averages 9.4 sunshine hours per day in February. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.7/10.
What is the rainiest month in San José?
June is the most unfavourable month with June has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in San José in February?
In February, overnight lows reach 61°F, while afternoon highs average 79°F.
Is San José good in winter?
In winter (December-February), San José scores 8.4/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains February with a score of 8.7/10.
When should you avoid San José?
June is the most difficult month to visit San José, with June has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.