Getting involved in all things local is the best way to integrate into a country, so knowing the best local holidays and festivities that are worth checking out is essential to making a trip to Costa Rica unforgettable.
Apart from the main festivities, we will list further on, you may find a variety of mini-festivals and local celebrations, varying from region to region and of course from village to village so that you might find yourself in the right place at the right time, this is just another significant aspect about having a local Destination Expert, to give you the lowdown.
As well as this, many of us have had the experience when we have traveled to a country spontaneously, without thoroughly doing our research about the best time of the year to go there, and we have paid the price. So, with that being said, planning a trip to Costa Rica means constantly checking the seasons, the activities you want to do, and the sights you plan to see because this has a significant impact on your expectations and your overall experience.
This can relate to any country in the world, of course, but Costa Rica has some very distinct seasons, which can genuinely put a dampener on your plans if you have not had some foresight, so let us make it easier for you.
Seasons and the Best time to travel
Knowing the best time to travel to Costa Rica is essential to cutting that stress out of your trip, so read on for some valuable information, which will save you a lot of time and effort when planning.
Pacific Coast:
The best time to travel to this country region is between December and April, when you will enjoy dry and bright days, perfect for all your activities. The temperature will vary between 25 – 34 degrees Celsius or 77 – 93 Fahrenheit, but it is worth noting that this is the most popular time to visit, so be prepared for more crowds and higher costs.
Caribbean Coast
For the Caribbean side, the best time to visit is between March and September. The temperature on this coast tends to be pretty similar all year, ranging from 21 Celsius/70 Fahrenheit to 32 Celsius/90 Fahrenheit.
With that being said, you might find that the hottest temperatures can fall between February and April. Whereas the coldest temperatures can be between September to November, this can vary from region to region, as you can imagine.
Rainy Season
While this falls between May and November, the earlier months are dry, and the rainy season or ‘green season builds slowly. This is also a great time to go because you will get first-hand experience with the change of seasons, which is a beautiful sight to see and avoid the crowds that are generally occupying the country during the high season.
Rainfall can be sporadic, so make sure to be prepared with raincoats, waterproof footwear, backpack covers, and umbrellas to prevent any soggy clothes. It is also good to know that this is the season when the prices will drop so that you will get more for your buck here, in terms of accommodation, tours, and food, so if you are on a budget, this can be the best time to travel, not to mention the savings on the flight to get there in the first place.
Local Holidays and Celebrations
Like every country in the world, Costa Rica has its holidays and festivities, which you should check out if you find yourself in the country when these events happen.
Carnival is a hugely popular event worldwide, but the carnivals of Puntarenas and Limon are Costa Rica’s internationally famous festivals. Puntarenas Carnival, also known as the Pearl of the Pacific festival, happens every year around mid-February and sees locals celebrate for ten days, with parades, firework shows, men on stilts, local bands, and plenty of food and dancing.
Limon Carnival
Happens in October on the Caribbean coast and lasts around a week. It celebrates and honors Christopher Colombus, who landed in Limon in 1502 during his exploration of the New World.
Fiesta de Palmares
Is well known for being the longest and largest celebration in the whole country and lasts about two weeks at the beginning of January. If you attend the event, you will see bloodless bullfights, concerts, carnival rides, and plenty of food and beer, oh and fireworks, of course!
Fiesta de Los Diablitos
Is one of the oldest celebrations and sees the native Boruca people pay their respects to their ancestors and their proud win against the Spanish conquistadors. The event takes place during the first week of February in the Rey Curre village, so if you want to see the men sporting traditional masks and taste the traditional drink known as Chicha, then this is one to attend.
The International Festival of Arts
Is not to be missed if you are a lover of the arts and are interested in seeing some local works from around the country and international art. It falls during the last two weeks of March and is held at La Sabana park in San Jose.
Festival of Lights
If you find yourself in the capital close to Christmas, you will want to discover the Festival of Lights, which happens on the second Saturday of December, in the lead-up to Christmas. The locals begin to get ready for the holiday season with parades, music, food, and of course, they decorate their cars with amazing lights, which is a sight to see. Check out the Christmas on the Pacific Coast trip, which begins in San Jose and is an ideal trip to follow on from this festival.
Central Americas Independence Day
Yes, that is right, on September 15th each year, not only does Costa Rica celebrate this poignant day in history, but so too does Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, all of whom who gained independence from Spain on that day in 1821. As you might have guessed, this is a day filled with parades and festivities all over the country. They even have a torch carried by relay runners, beginning from Nicaragua and ending in Cartago, Costa Rica. It symbolizes the freedom gained.
Natural Events
If you are traveling here to see some of the natural events that Costa Rica is famous for, you will plan accordingly. For instance, to see the nesting of the sea turtles, you need to be there between March and November, which coincides with the ‘arribada’ or arrival of the sea turtles to the beaches.
To see humpback whales, head to the Pacific Coast during July and November, migrating south from colder waters. The Costa Rica Exotic Paradise trip of a lifetime includes opportunities to see whales, dolphins, and sea turtles.
Bird watchers will not want to miss the Quetzal breeding season, which ranges from mid-February to July in the cloud forests of Costa Rica.
