Season guide · San José · Costa Rica
San José in the late dry season
March–April: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Puroticorico, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
The warmest months, with clear skies and Semana Santa closures; showers begin by late April. Expect highs up to 27°C (81°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), with about 10 rainy days across March–April. March–April are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–April
- Temperatures
- 16°C (61°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 10
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in the late dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 26°C (79°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 3 | 12 h | 4/5 |
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 7 | 12.3 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 27°C (81°F) against a yearly 26°C (79°F), and 10 of the year's roughly 168 rainy days fall in these 2 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in the late dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: Semana Santa processions (March or April)
- April: Semana Santa (March or April)
- April: Día de Juan Santamaría — national hero holiday (11 April)
Make the most of the weather
Park · Barrio Amón
Parque Morazán and Parque España
Use Parque España as a shady pause between the centre's museums and Barrio Amón.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Architecture
Park · La Sabana
Parque La Sabana
The city's largest park occupies the site of the old international airport, with a lake, running paths, sports fields and plenty of space for picnics.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Day trips in the late dry season
- 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.
- Cartago and the Orosi Valley (About 1.5 hours by road) — Cartago, the former capital, is home to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, the country's main pilgrimage church.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the late dry season a good time to visit San José?
Yes: March–April are among the best months. The warmest months, with clear skies and Semana Santa closures; showers begin by late April.
+What is the weather like in San José in the late dry season?
Highs of up to 27°C (81°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), with about 10 rainy days over the season.