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Planning Your Trip: Weather and Best Time to Visit San Jose, CR

Temperatures in San Jose Costa Rica are quite constant all over the year and generally are between 64 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 28 degrees Celsius) rarely below 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) or above 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius).

The capital city of San Jose is located in the central part of the country at 1,100 meters above sea level and Costa Rica San Jose weather is pleasant all year round, with warm days and cool nights.

The dry season lasts from December to the end of March with January and February being the driest months of the year, with almost 0 precipitations.

The rainy season lasts from May to November with an average of 20 rainy days each month; September and October are the wettest months with more than 25 days of rain each.

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What is the weather like in San Jose

San Jose weather forecast- Precipitation

Weather San Jose Costa Rica is rainy for almost 6.5 months each year, a period known as the wet season.

The wet season lasts from May to November period when you have more than a 40% chance of rain each day.

Most of the precipitations that fall are drops of rain, and only on high altitudes, you may encounter snow.

The rainiest days are in October with October 11 being the wettest day with an average of 6.4 inches of precipitation, while the driest month is March, more exactly March 16 with an average of 0.5 inches.

Temperatures in San Jose Costa Rica
Temperatures San Jose Costa Rica

Temperatures in San Jose Costa Rica

Temperatures vary little from one season to another, and from one month to another, so the main thing that makes the difference between the seasons is the quantity of rain that drops.

Generally, the temperatures are between 64 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 28 degrees Celsius), with extremely low variances outside these figures.

San Jose Costa Rica weather – Wind

San Jose has mild winds all over the year (wind between 5 to 10 mph), with low variances from one month to another.

The speed of wind is highly influenced by topography, air currents and the windiest months of the year are December to April (northwest winds are among the strongest).

The average wind speed during these months is 3.6 miles per hour (15 mph – 20mph), while on the rest of the months, from May to December, the wind has just 2 miles per hour.

What’s the temperature in San Jose

Now that you have a clue about the temperatures, wind, and the amount of precipitation that falls during a year, let’s discover together how the weather is in each month so you can better plan your trip.

January weather in San Jose

For the inhabitants of the northern hemisphere, January is a winter month with low temperatures and a lot of snow. But things are different in San Jose, as January is one of the hottest and driest months of the whole year.

Most of the days are sunny with an average temperature between 57 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Celsius) to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).

Although a dry month, the humidity level is still high, around 79%, while the average number of rainy days is 14.

February weather

With an average temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius), February is the second driest month of the year, perfect for exploring.

There are just 12 days of precipitations during the whole month and a humidity index of 75%, so you will “feel-like” temperatures are higher.

Weather in March

A warm and sunny month, March is the third month of the dry season with average temperatures around 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) and sunny skies for the afternoon.

Because of the lack of water and the heat, the trees drop their leaves, a normal thing for this time of the year, but the good news is that the phenomenon is not that intense as in the coastal areas.

The day has around 12 hours of light, enough for you to explore and visit the city of San Jose and the surrounding area.

Costa Rica Map San Jose
Costa Rica Map San Jose

Temperatures in San José Costa Rica in April

With an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius (79 degrees Fahrenheit) and a minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit), April is the last month of the dry season.

It is the time period of the year when locals usually celebrate Easter, so it is the second crowded month after December.

The weather is warm and sunny, with an average number of 20 rainy days the whole month and an average of 8 hours of light.

May in San Jose

May is a great month to visit Costa Rica is considered part of the shoulder season, a time of the year when the weather is still sunny and warm with moderate rain, lower prices, and fewer tourists.

The temperatures in May are between 17 to 25 degrees Celsius (63 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit), while the humidity index is at 78%.

June weather

June is among the first months of the dry season, with many sunny mornings and scattered showers in the afternoon.

The average temperature is between 17 to 23 degrees Celsius (63 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit) so you have at least half of day to explore this beautiful country.

July in San Jose

July in San Jose comes with daily rains, but most of them are afternoon showers and a high level of humidity, almost 90%.

The temperatures are around 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) and cooler nights with an average of 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit).

Weather in Costa Rica Jaco
Weather in Costa Rica Jaco

Temperatures in San Jose Costa Rica in August

With almost daily rains, August is another rainy month with a very increased humidity index, around 90%.

With about 6.5 hours of sunshine, August is considered by locals a winter month because of the low number of sunshine and the quantity of rain that drops.

The average temperature in Costa Rica San Jose in august is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).

September and October in San Jose

September and October are the rainiest months of the whole year with around 30 days with rain.

During these months the rains are heavy and thunderstorms are common so flooding and landslides are quite common.

We strongly recommend you avoid visiting San Jose during these months are the heavy rains might keep you in-house for many hours or even days.

These two months are not just the wettest ones but also the ones with the highest humidity, around 92%.

The temperatures are between 62 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit (17 and 23 degrees Celsius), on some nights they might drop below 62 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius).

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November temperatures

November is the last month of the rainy season so the quantity of precipitation starts to decrease.

Based on the statistics there are on average 28 days with rain, but most of the rains are short and happen in the afternoon.

So, most of the mornings are sunny, perfect for outdoor activities and exploring the city area and the nearby attractions.

December weather

December comes with sunny days and less rain, as this month marks the end of the wet season and the beginning of the dry season.

The humidity level decreases a little bit, reaching 88%, while the number of rainy days drops to 25.

The good news is that most of the rain is short showers so you can explore the city in your own way, but don’t forget to take a raincoat with you.

The temperatures are between 59 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 23 degrees Celsius), so it is not very hot for exploring and outdoor activities.

Costa rica weather in December
Costa rica weather in December

Conclusion

The peak season and the most crowded months of the year are January, February, and March when the prices are high and the temperatures in San Jose Costa Rica are great for exploring.

Our favorite time of the year to visit Costa Rica San Jose is during shoulder season, which means in May and the end of November.

During these months the weather is great for outdoor activities, the prices are still low and the tourists haven’t arrived yet.

During shoulder season you still have many sunny days so pack your bags and hit the road as this beautiful country waits to be discovered.

Logistical tips and tricks for your trip

Book your accommodation

We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.

You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.

Don't forget travel insurance

We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money, plus COVID coverage.

When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.

Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected events and cost like illness, COVID, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.

We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.

Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.

We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.

Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.

We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.

Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.

Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.