What is the weather like in Costa Rica in 2026?

San José and western suburbs such as Escazú sit in the Central Valley tierras templadas, warm by day and cooler after dark than beach towns: Living in San José and Living in Escazú. Atenas markets the same valley mildness with quieter streets: Living in Atenas. Higher cloud-forest belts such as Monteverde stay mistier and cooler still.

Guanacaste Pacific towns including Tamarindo and inland Liberia feel hotter, especially late dry season before rains return: Living in Tamarindo and Summer heat. Central and southern Pacific spots such as Manuel Antonio keep rainforest humidity with a shorter dry window. Caribbean towns around Limón and Puerto Viejo stay hot, humid, and rainy for much of the year. Country shortlists still start with valley services versus beach lifestyle: Where to live in Costa Rica.

Think dry season versus rainy season on the Pacific and in the valley, roughly December through April versus May through November: Rain. Afternoons often dump showers while mornings stay workable. Humidity and mold risk rise on coasts even when storms cool the air: Humidity. Papagayo winds can whip Guanacaste beaches in the dry months. Best-fit shortlist: Best climate.

Housing and utilities couple to climate. Beach leases often need air conditioning budgets that valley flats skip: Utilities, internet, and transport. Pack layers if one week will mix Pavas airport heat, Escazú evenings, and a Guanacaste weekend. Official seasonal outlooks sit with Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), Costa Rica’s national weather institute.