When does it rain in Costa Rica in 2026?

Pacific and Central Valley calendars usually put dry months from about December through April and rainy months from May through November. April and November act as transition edges. San José, Escazú, and Atenas often see bright mornings then afternoon thunderstorms in wet months: Living in San José and Weather.

Guanacaste towns such as Tamarindo can go nearly rainless in peak dry season, then face their heaviest stretches around September and October: Living in Tamarindo. A mid-rainy lull called veranillo (little summer) can briefly dry Pacific zones around July and August before storms return. Caribbean Limón and Puerto Viejo stay wetter year-round, with relative quieter windows that do not match the Pacific dry calendar.

Expect muddy hillside roads, brief street flooding, and leak checks on older roofs. Ask landlords about drainage and roof condition before you sign: How to rent a home. Humidity rises with the rains even when storms cool the afternoon: Humidity. Late dry-season heat often peaks just before Pacific rains return: Summer heat.

For daily life, keep a waterproof bag for laptops, plan errands before peak afternoon storms, and treat 4WD as more than a tourism upgrade on Monteverde or remote green-season tracks. Markets and terrace dining often pause, then restart once streets drain. Track outlooks through Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) rather than airport tourism boards alone. Best-fit shortlist still depends on how much dry-season certainty you need: Best climate.