Costa Rica Weather in September: Region by Region

September and October are the wettest months on the Pacific side. This is when the Caribbean coast has its own mini summer, so it’s where we always recommend going now. It is also turtle season at Tortuguero, the southern humpback whales are still here, and late in the month the great migration of birds of prey begins over the Caribbean.

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

Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula

Guanacaste is in its second rainy period, which runs from September to November. The olive ridley arribadas at Ostional are in season.

Central Pacific: Manuel Antonio and Jacó

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

The South Pacific: Uvita and the Osa Peninsula

Rainy, and still whale season: the southern humpbacks are off Uvita and the Osa Peninsula through 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

The best of the year. September and October are the Caribbean’s second calmer spell, just as the Pacific gets its heaviest rain. Green turtles are nesting at Tortuguero. From late September, birds of prey on their way south pass over the lowlands near Puerto Viejo, more than 1.3 million of them counted in one autumn.

September is when the Caribbean has its best weather, and we know just where to stay there. 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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