Season guide · San José · Costa Rica
San José in the dry season
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fespinozalemistre, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Sunny, breezy and pleasant, with highs around 24–25 °C, festive events and peak demand for tours and hotels. Expect highs up to 25°C (77°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F), with about 11 rainy days across December–February. December–February are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 11
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in the dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C (75°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 3 | 11.6 h | 4/5 |
| February | 25°C (77°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 2 | 11.8 h | 4/5 |
| December | 24°C (75°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 6 | 11.5 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 24°C (75°F) against a yearly 26°C (79°F), and 11 of the year's roughly 168 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in the dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Fiestas de Zapote — fairground festivities (late December to early January)
- December: Festival de la Luz — Christmas parade of lights (usually mid-December)
- December: Tope Nacional — horse parade (26 December)
Make the most of the weather
Park · Barrio Amón
Parque Morazán and Parque España
Two adjoining green spaces on the edge of downtown: Parque Morazán, centred on the domed Templo de la Música bandstand, and the leafier Parque España, shaded by tall trees and home to many birds.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Architecture
Park · La Sabana
Parque La Sabana
Visit on a weekend morning, when local families, cyclists and runners fill the park.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Day trips in the dry season
- Poás Volcano (About 1.5 hours by road) — An active volcano with one of the world's largest craters, where a viewing platform looks into an acidic turquoise lake when the clouds part.
- Irazú Volcano (About 1.5 hours by road) — Costa Rica's highest active volcano rises to about 3,400 metres, with a lunar landscape of craters and, on clear mornings, views towards both the Caribbean and the Pacific.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the dry season a good time to visit San José?
Yes: December–February are among the best months. Sunny, breezy and pleasant, with highs around 24–25 °C, festive events and peak demand for tours and hotels.
+What is the weather like in San José in the dry season?
Highs of up to 25°C (77°F) and lows around 15°C (59°F), with about 11 rainy days over the season.