Best time to visit Costa Rica Guanacaste is from December to April, which is the dry season when it is extremely hot and dry outside.

Actually, Guanacaste is the driest and hottest part of Costa Rica with an average temperature above 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) during the wet season and more than 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) during the dry season.

This intense hit and lack of humidity make the tropical forest dry off and most of the leaves drop while the plants lose their greenery.

The only exception, the places that keep their greenery are located in the highland zone of Guanacaste that is located in the upper Pacific Coast and is known as Guanacaste Cordillera and the northern part of Tilaran Cordillera.

Around these places, the humidity is higher and the hit of the sun is more bearable so the vegetation keeps its greenery and intense green color.

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What’s the best time to visit Costa Rica Guanacaste?

So the best time to go Costa Rica Guanacaste, especially if you are interested in a beach holiday, is definitely during the dry season, from December to April.

If you want to explore also the beautiful national parks and protected areas, then you’d better go to Costa Rica during the transition months: May and the first part of June as well as from mid-November to mid-December.

Guanacaste Province Costa Rica

As the rains have already started, the forests get back their greenery and amazing color and the animals are more active and so, easier to spot.

Another beautiful thing that happens at the beginning of the rainy season is the blossoming phenomena, which is a really great natural show that you can observe on your trip to these parts of the country during the wet season.

Other things you should take into consideration when planning a trip to Guanacaste Costa Rica are the prices and the number of tourists.

I think you have already guessed that peak season comes with lots of tourists roaming everywhere and with high prices for hotels, food and car rental.

But not the entire season is like that; Christmas and New Years’, spring break, and also Eastern are extremely crowded with very high prices so you’d better avoid them if you want to get the best of your trip.

Great times to visit Guanacaste during the dry season are the month of January, after the 6th January, part of February, and March ( outside the spring break and not around Eastern celebration).

Samara Guanacaste Province Best time to visit Costa Rica Guanacaste

Generally, the prices in Costa Costa Rica are highly seasonal, and popular times are more expensive.

Let me give you another example: September and October have low prices as they are green season months, but the Caribbean side is sunny and warm even during this period.

That is why you should expect higher prices in the Caribbean coast than in any other part of Costa Rica.

Climate of Guanacaste Costa Rica

The climate of Guanacaste is highly seasonable and is influenced by wind patterns, precipitation, and temperature.

The dry season is the hottest from all over the country with high temperatures and extremely dry air influenced by the westerly winds.

Guanacaste Province Costa Rica

The rainy season is rich in precipitation but not as rich as the rest of the country and rains might last from a couple of hours up to a few days in a row.

Stay safe while you travel

Generally, during the wet season in Costa Rica, the mornings are sunny and warm and clouds gather in the sky in the afternoon, and showers or even storms occur.

The diversity in Costa Rica’s weather is dictated mainly by the land elevation which is different from one area to another with Guanacaste having a dry climate as it is located on the lowlands.

What you can see in Guanacaste Costa Rica

Guanacaste Costa Rica is famous for its tropical paradise with many stunning beaches, lush forests, volcanoes, and amazing mountains.

The sunny and warm days, as well as the interesting culture and stunning wildlife, are just some of the facts that attract tourists from all over the world.

See here which are 5 of the most interesting thing to see in Guanacaste:

Guanacaste beaches

The grey sand beach of Playa Hermosa, the brown sands from Matapalo Beach, the pink sand Flamingo Beach, Conchal beach as well as Tamarindo beach are just some of the most beautiful and popular beaches located in Peninsula Papagayo.

Beach in Santa Rosa National Park Guanacaste Costa Rica

Costa Ricans and tourists head to Guanacaste beaches for perfecting their tan, relaxing on the beach, practicing some surfing, snorkeling, and other interesting water activities.

Luxury hotels like Four Seasons Costa Rica, Andaz Papagayo Costa Rica, or RIU Guanacaste are the perfect places to set your camp and enjoy their outstanding services and beautiful scenery.

The area is full of high-class resorts, guesthouses, and hotels where you can book at least 5 days to relax and enjoy the Costa Rican vibe.

Explore Rincon de la Vieja National Park

If you are interested in seeing with your own eyes an active crater and the volcanic landscape filled with mud pots, fumaroles, and geysers, then Rincon de la Vieja is the best place to go.

On your way to the summit, you will pass near amazing waterfalls, forests full of wildlife, and beautiful lakes and the landscape is just amazing.

Waterfall Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Tenorio Volcano National Park and Rio Celeste Waterfall

Located within Tenorio Volcano National Park, Rio Celeste waterfall is one of the most beautiful and popular attractions from the area with turquoise waters and lush vegetation around.

Tenorio national park is another volcanic area with volcanic soil rich in minerals that gives a brilliant color to the water.

Rio Celeste Waterfall in Costa Rica

Pack some water and a snack with you and sun cream as the hike to the waterfall lasts for about two hours one way and another two hours back.

Santa Rosa National Park

The best time to visit Costa Rica Guanacaste to admire the beauty of nature is at the beginning of the rainy season or in the first part of December.

And for Santa Rosa National Park, the first park established in Costa Rica in 1971 it is not an exception.

Beach in Santa Rosa National Park Guanacaste Costa Rica

The park was initially established with the main purpose of preserving La Casona, a ranch house that played an important role in Costa Rica’s independence, but today it is famous for its dry forest, beautiful wildlife, and amazing beaches, perfect for surfing and relaxing.

Inside this protected area lies also Nancite Beach, one of the most popular places among Olive Ridley sea turtles and a good place to go if you want to witness the annual arribada or the moment when thousands of turtles come to lay their eggs.

Sea turtles nesting

Playa Grande is famous for its leatherback turtles that come year by year to lay eggs and give birth to a new generation of turtles.

Baby Green turtles hatching from nest Costa Rica

As sea turtles’ nesting season is quite hard to predict, don’t travel to Costa Rica only for this attraction but ask at hotel reception about this event and maybe you are lucky and can be witness to this incredible show.

Best accommodation in Guanacaste

From beach hotels with outdoor pools to hidden retreats in the middle of the jungle, Guanacaste offers a wide range of accommodations where to set your camp and explore this beautiful area.

My favorite spots are:

• Andaz Papagayo Costa Rica a luxury resort with 153 amazing rooms, 2 outdoor pools, and 3 restaurants nestled in the middle of the jungle and just 2 minutes from the beach
• Jw Marriott Guanacaste Costa Rica, the perfect luxury resort for families with kids that offers a private beach and amazing views of the ocean and the jungle.
• Rio Perdido Hotel Thermal River Costa Rica located in a natural oasis far from any beaten path in a place where thermal pools and mud baths are just a few meters from the hotel.

Conclusion

Guanacaste Costa Rica best time to visit depends on what type of holiday you are interested to have in this country.

If you want to go to Costa Rica and perfect your tan, then the dry season is the time of the year when you should visit this country.

But if you are interested in exploring the country, not just laying on the beach, then the best time to visit Costa Rica is at the beginning of the rainy season.