Costa Rica Weather in July: Region by Region

July is still family summer, and on the Pacific side it often brings a drier spell, our “veranillo” or little summer, as the trade winds pick up. It is a big month for wildlife too: whales arrive in the south Pacific and turtles on both coasts.

The country is small, but the weather changes a lot from one region to the next. Here is how July usually looks where most of our travelers go.

Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula

The veranillo brings less rain in July and August. At Ostional, on the Nicoya Peninsula, the olive ridley “arribadas” are at their best from July to November, when thousands of turtles come ashore together. They happen once or twice a month and the dates cannot be known in advance, and a licensed local guide is required.

Central Pacific: Manuel Antonio and Jacó

The little summer helps here too, with sunny mornings and afternoon rain.

The South Pacific: Uvita and the Osa Peninsula

Southern humpback whales arrive from July, off Uvita, Dominical, Drake Bay, the Osa Peninsula and the Golfo Dulce, and they are still here in September.

Arenal and the Northern Plains

Arenal is on the Caribbean side of the mountains and can see rain any day of the year, and that rain is why it is so green. The hot springs are perfect whatever the sky does.

Monteverde

The mountains are cooler and can be misty at any time of year. Bring a light jacket for the cloud forest.

The Caribbean Coast

July is one of the rainiest months on the Caribbean side, and with December it is Tortuguero’s wettest. It is also when green turtles start arriving on the beaches from Tortuguero to Parismina. Turtle visits are with a guide only.

July is our little summer on the Pacific side, and there is a lot to fit in, from whales to turtles, so let us help you choose. Our team has lived here and built trips by hand since 2004, so we know which regions pair well, how long the drives really take and which hotels are worth it. Tell us what you love and we will design your Costa Rica around it.

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Holidays and Busy Weeks

Costa Rican schools take a two-week mid-year break in July (6 to 17 July in 2026), so beach towns are lively with local families. 25 July, the Annexation of Guanacaste, is a public holiday.