Costa Rica Weather in October: Region by Region

October is one of the two wettest months on the Pacific side, and one of the quietest of the year. On the Caribbean coast it is the opposite story: calmer weather, turtles at Tortuguero, and the peak of the birds of prey migration.

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

Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula

Guanacaste is in its second rainy period. On the Pacific beaches the leatherback and green turtle season starts again in October, and the olive ridley arribadas continue at Ostional.

Central Pacific: Manuel Antonio and Jacó

One of the rainiest months, with most of the rain in the afternoon and early evening.

The South Pacific: Uvita and the Osa Peninsula

Rainy. Some southern humpback whales may still be here, as the park service counts them into November.

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

Still the Caribbean’s calmer spell, and in Tortuguero October is one of the least rainy months. Turtle season at Tortuguero runs to October, and October is the peak month for the birds of prey passing over the lowlands near Puerto Viejo.

October is the Caribbean’s month and one of the quietest of the year, so there is plenty of choice. 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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