San José, Costa RicaQuick decision
When to visit San José?
🌞 Best time overall
February
🌡️ Optimal temperature
61°F–79°F in February
🌧 Least rain
18% rainy days in February
🌧 Wettest month
October (94%)
📅 Best score
8.7/10
By trip type
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.
Monthly climate data
San José weather month by month
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rainy days (%) | Precip. in/d | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ January | 61°F | 77°F | 24% | 0.1in | 11.0h | 8.3/10 |
| ☀️ February | 61°F | 79°F | 18% | 0.0in | 11.5h | 8.7/10 |
| 🌤️ March | 61°F | 81°F | 25% | 0.0in | 11.7h | 8.7/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 63°F | 81°F | 54% | 0.1in | 11.2h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌧️ May | 63°F | 79°F | 86% | 0.5in | 8.8h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌧️ June | 63°F | 75°F | 94% | 0.5in | 8.1h | 5.4/10 |
| ⛅ July | 63°F | 77°F | 76% | 0.4in | 8.9h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌧️ August | 63°F | 77°F | 85% | 0.5in | 9.0h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌧️ September | 61°F | 77°F | 96% | 0.6in | 8.2h | 5.6/10 |
| 🌧️ October | 61°F | 75°F | 94% | 0.7in | 8.0h | 5.2/10 |
| 🌧️ November | 63°F | 75°F | 81% | 0.4in | 8.8h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌤️ December | 61°F | 75°F | 37% | 0.1in | 11.0h | 7.8/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
Source: Open-Meteo · 10 years
Seasonal breakdown
What to expect each season
🌸 Spring (Mar–May) — Good time
Average 27°F, 55% rainy days, 10.6h sunshine/day. Score: 7.8/10.
☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) — Acceptable
Average 25°F, 85% rainy days, 8.7h sunshine/day. Score: 6.5/10.
🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov) — Acceptable
Average 24°F, 90% rainy days, 8.3h sunshine/day. Score: 5.9/10.
❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb) — Good time
Average 25°F, 26% rainy days, 11.2h sunshine/day. Score: 8.3/10.
Accommodation
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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.
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Flights
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Monthly weather
Detailed weather by month
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
February is ideal with 18% rainy days and 26°F. 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°F.
In winter, the average score is 8.3/10. Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.
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