Month guide · San José · Costa Rica
San José in August
What August is really like in San José: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Puroticorico, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 26°C (79°F), lows of 17°C (63°F), about 22 rainy days and roughly 12.4 hours of daylight. Wet afternoons; the pilgrimage to Cartago brings huge crowds on foot along the roads east of the city.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 26°C (79°F) / 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days
- About 22
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in August
August is the 6th-warmest month in San José: days average 26°C (79°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 17°C (63°F). Rain falls on roughly 22 of its 31 days. Compared with July (26°C (79°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs stay near 26°C (79°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 05:28
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 17:55
- Daylight
- About 12.4 hours
Late dry season (March–April). The warmest months, with clear skies and Semana Santa closures; showers begin by late April.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 3 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in December). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in August
- Romería — pilgrimage to the Basílica de los Ángeles in Cartago (night of 1–2 August)
- Mother's Day holiday (15 August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · Barrio Amón
Centro Nacional de la Cultura (CENAC)
The former national liquor factory, a 19th-century complex of brick and stone, has been converted into the national culture centre.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Barrio Amón
Museo de los Niños
Allow a few hours with younger children, and take a taxi or ride-hailing car from the centre rather than walking.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Street · Centro
Avenida Central
The pedestrianised central boulevard links the Mercado Central with the Plaza de la Cultura and the Teatro Nacional, lined with shops, cafés, street performers and preachers.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
Landmark · Centro
Plaza de la Democracia
Browse the craft stalls at the plaza's edge for wooden souvenirs; prices are open to gentle bargaining.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Shopping
What to pack
For highs near 26°C, lows near 17°C and 22 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit San José?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, December–April are better overall. Compare every month.
San José in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit San José?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Wet afternoons; the pilgrimage to Cartago brings huge crowds on foot along the roads east of the city.
+How warm is San José in August?
Average highs are around 26°C (79°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San José in August?
Expect rain on about 22 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.