Month guide · San José · Costa Rica
San José in December
What December is really like in San José: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andres Alvarez, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit San José. Expect average highs of 24°C (75°F), lows of 15°C (59°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 11.5 hours of daylight. Dry and breezy, with festive lights and parades; the Christmas and New Year weeks are the busiest and most expensive.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 24°C (75°F) / 15°C (59°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in San José: days average 24°C (75°F) against a yearly average high of 26°C (79°F), and nights fall to about 15°C (59°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with November (25°C (77°F)), December is about as warm; by January highs stay near 24°C (75°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 05:45
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:18
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
Wettest months (September–November). Frequent heavy afternoon and evening rain, especially in September and October, easing through November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 5 for crowds (the peak is December at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in December). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Festival de la Luz — Christmas parade of lights (usually mid-December)
- Tope Nacional — horse parade (26 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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
Architecture · Centro
Edificio de Correos
Combine it with the Mercado Central one block away; the plaza in front is a good spot to rest.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Free
Religious site · Centro
Catedral Metropolitana
San José's neoclassical cathedral faces the Parque Central, where locals gather around the bandstand.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
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
What to pack
For highs near 24°C, lows near 15°C and 6 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit San José?
One of the best months to visit San José, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are January–April. Compare every month.
San José in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit San José?
It is one of the best months to visit San José. Dry and breezy, with festive lights and parades; the Christmas and New Year weeks are the busiest and most expensive.
+How warm is San José in December?
Average highs are around 24°C (75°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F).
+Does it rain a lot in San José in December?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.