Costa Rica in January
January is one of the best months of the year to visit Costa Rica. Peak season in full stride after the New Year rush fades. Book the famous lodges early; the weather is as reliable as it gets.
Weather
Dry season, Pacific highs near 88F (31C), cooler in the mountains
Crowds
Prices
What's on in January
Roughly December through March and again July through October, strongest in the south Pacific
Humpback whale seasons. Two hemispheres' worth of humpbacks use the same warm coast, making Uvita and the Marino Ballena area a nearly year-round whale destination.
Two weeks in January
Fiestas de Palmares. One of the country's biggest festivals: concerts, traditional horse parades, and crowds from all over Costa Rica in the town of Palmares.
Things to do in Costa Rica
- 1
Arenal and La Fortuna. The classic volcano base: lava-field hikes, waterfall swims, and hot springs for the afternoon rain slot. The perfect cone hides in clouds some days in any season.
- 2
Monteverde Cloud Forest. Hanging bridges through the canopy and a real shot at the resplendent quetzal, especially in nesting season. Bring layers; the cloud forest is genuinely cool and wet. official site ↗
- 3
Manuel Antonio National Park. The greatest-hits park: sloths and capuchins over postcard beaches. Closed Tuesdays, capacity-capped, and best booked ahead with a licensed guide at opening time. official site ↗
- 4
Tortuguero's canals. A roadless Caribbean 'Amazon in miniature' reached by boat or small plane, famous for green sea turtle nesting from roughly July through October.
- 5
The Osa Peninsula and Corcovado. The wildest corner of the country, with scarlet macaws overhead and tapirs on the beach. Guided entry only; the dry months are far easier logistically.
- 6
Surf towns of the Pacific. Tamarindo and Nosara for learner-friendly consistency, Santa Teresa for the boho scene. Waves run all year, with green-season swells often the biggest.
- 7
Whale watching at Marino Ballena. Humpbacks visit on two calendars: roughly December through March from the north, and July through October from the southern hemisphere, one of the longest whale seasons anywhere.
- 8
A coffee farm in the highlands. The Central Valley's farm tours turn a rainy afternoon into the best cup of the trip. Harvest generally runs in the drier months, varying by altitude.
Beat the crowds
- →Travel in May, June, or November: green-season shoulder months deliver most of the dry season's mornings with a fraction of its crowds and prices.
- →Book the capacity-capped parks, Manuel Antonio above all, for the first entry slot of the morning: wildlife is most active, heat is lowest, and the tour waves land later.
- →Skip the two national holiday crushes if you can: Christmas through New Year's and Semana Santa fill beaches, buses, and lodges with the whole country on vacation at once.
Know before you go
- !Costa Rica does not close seasonally as a country, but September and October on the Pacific side are the exception zone: some small lodges and tour operators pause, remote dirt roads can become impassable, and the Monteverde area's famous reserves and businesses take some maintenance downtime in the deepest low season.
- !Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays and caps daily entries; Corcovado requires a licensed guide and advance permits year-round. Book both before you build days around them.
- !The Caribbean coast runs on the opposite weather calendar: its sunniest, calmest stretch is September and October, which keeps Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo very much open when the Pacific is at its wettest.
Costa Rica in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Costa Rica?
January is one of the best months of the year to visit Costa Rica. Peak season in full stride after the New Year rush fades. Book the famous lodges early; the weather is as reliable as it gets.
What is the weather like in Costa Rica in January?
Dry season, Pacific highs near 88F (31C), cooler in the mountains.
Is Costa Rica crowded in January?
Costa Rica is busy in January, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.
What is happening in Costa Rica in January?
Humpback whale seasons (roughly december through march and again july through october, strongest in the south pacific); Fiestas de Palmares (two weeks in january).