Why Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is likely one of the most underrated summer time locations

Costa Rica is likely one of the hottest locations in Central America, with greater than 2.9 million travelers in 2025 and practically one million within the first three months of 2026—a record-breaking first-quarter excessive. 

Most of the crowds are visiting in the course of the dry season, when there’s much less rainfall. But probably the most underrated time to go to is “green season,” which usually runs from May to November. Average rainfall tends to be larger throughout these months, however there are lots of benefits to visiting then, not least amongst them fewer crowds and decrease costs. And there are many methods to get across the climate.

I’ve traveled to Costa Rica commonly for practically 20 years and I can attest to the magic of this underrated season, notably in Guanacaste. Stretching from the Pacific Ocean to Lake Arenal and from the Nicaragua border to the Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste is a part of the North Pacific local weather area, the driest within the nation. Guanacaste might be uncomfortably sizzling with common daytime temperatures generally surpassing 100 levels Fahrenheit. But the inexperienced season brings cooling rains, making it extra nice to take pleasure in a few of my favourite actions, reminiscent of mountain climbing and recognizing a few of Costa Rica’s unimaginable wildlife.

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Here’s the way to discover Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province in the course of the inexperienced season. 

Weather throughout Guanacaste’s inexperienced season

The inexperienced season tends to convey the heaviest rainfall of the yr for the world, with a mean of 76 inches yearly, in keeping with knowledge collected by the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional de Costa Rica (IMN). But rain usually doesn’t final all day; there’s loads of sunshine throughout inexperienced season too. 

Rains lower in July and August, which Costa Ricans name veranillo, or “little summer” in Spanish, explains Dennis Abarca, a Guanacaste native and an out of doors information and supervisor at Pura Vida Ride, an journey tour operator in Guanacaste. 

Microclimates additionally imply rainfall varies by location. The North Pacific local weather area accommodates three distinct microclimates: the mountains, the low-lying Tempisque zone, and the peninsula areas of Santa Elena and Nicoya. According to IMN meteorologists, meaning areas in Guanacaste expertise totally different climate circumstances. This could possibly be sunny mornings and afternoon showers on the coast, and heavy showers additional inland or at larger elevations.

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“Weather patterns across Guanacaste are influenced by several atmospheric factors, including prevailing winds, topography, and moisture originating from the Pacific Ocean,” a consultant from Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute explains. “In general, the province’s lower-elevation areas tend to be drier because mountain ranges force moisture-laden air upward, causing much of the rainfall to occur over higher-elevation terrain. As a result, rainfall distribution can vary significantly across the province, with mountainous areas typically receiving more precipitation than coastal and lowland regions.” 

Why inexperienced season is one of the best time to go to Guanacaste

“It’s one of the most beautiful times of the year. The landscapes are greener, the temperatures are cooler, the air feels fresh, and there are fewer crowds,” says Carlos Cesar Solano Conejo, who grew up within the area and runs Casa Donna Rosa Bed & Breakfast in Nuevo Arenal along with his husband, Werner Spörri. “Travelers get a more relaxed, authentic experience.” 

One of one of the best issues to do in the course of the inexperienced season is to hike alongside the coast, when rain brings the panorama to life with verdant views and a number of the greatest sunsets, Abarca provides. It’s a deal with for animal lovers too, when a wide range of birds breed, and turtles come ashore within the mass nesting referred to as arribada, “arrival” in Spanish. 

Prices additionally are typically a lot decrease, with accommodations, rental automotive corporations, and tour operators providing huge reductions.

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“The Green Season is also one of the most rewarding times to visit Costa Rica,” says Adalberto Rodriguez, Market Coordinator for the United States and Canada Costa Rican Tourism Institute. “The country’s landscapes are at their most vibrant, waterfalls are at their fullest, and visitors have the opportunity to experience unique natural phenomena and abundant wildlife.”

Best Guanacaste cities to go to 

Best mixture of Costa Rican tradition and nature: Bagaces

Rural Bagaces is situated north of Palo Verde National Park, within the coronary heart of Guanacaste, a couple of 30-minute drive from Liberia Airport. 

The city is surrounded by ranches and has loads of sodas, informal eating places serving typical Costa Rican delicacies, reminiscent of gallo pinto, a dish of rice and black beans, and olla de carne, a beef stew. Small retailers promote cowboy hats and handicrafts, reminiscent of pottery and carved wood masks—all hallmarks of conventional Tico (Costa Rican) tradition.

Complementing the cultural expertise on the town are waterfalls and wetlands, residence to wildlife together with monkeys and crocodiles, that guests would possibly glimpse on a Palo Verde boat tour.

Best budget-friendly surf city: Samara

Guanacaste is understood for its 400-mile-long “Gold Coast.” Samara’s large seaside, walkable city, and inexpensive lodging and informal open-air eateries make it an excellent base for vacationers on a finances. Families will really feel snug with usually calm waters—perfect for newbie surfers. I took my first lesson in Samara and have returned many instances. With a paved highway and no river crossings, it’s a simple two-hour drive from Liberia Airport.

Best seashores 

Best for a blissful seaside day: Playa Carrillo   

With turquoise water, powdery sand, and distributors promoting contemporary coconuts underneath swaying palm bushes, Playa Carrillo forged its spell on me throughout a months-long keep on the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s situated lower than 10 minutes by automotive from Samara—far sufficient to flee the motion, however shut sufficient to have a handy residence base. Note that Playa Carillo’s serenity applies to weekdays. It can get busy on weekends.

Best for turtle watching: Playa Ostional

Located on the Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Ostional is likely one of the few locations on the earth the place olive ridley turtles amble ashore en masse to put their eggs—they usually accomplish that in the course of the inexperienced season in Guanacaste. The arribada usually happens as soon as a month, however September and October could also be one of the best time, when the most important numbers of turtles—generally within the 1000’s—are inclined to nest.

Best for a surf session: Playa Avellanas

Playa Avellanas presents a number of constant surf breaks, usually with out close by Tamarindo’s crowds. The bumpy filth highway to this crescent-shaped seaside units a country, laid-back scene for catching waves or strolling the wood boardwalk by mangroves backdropped by golden sunsets. Surfers ought to select breaks suited to their talent stage and respect locals within the lineup. Experienced surfers could need to head to “Little Hawaii,” situated on the northern finish of the seaside. Beginners and intermediate surfers will recognize the lengthy, clean journey at “El Parqueo,” a seaside break close to the principle parking space. Beach bars supply respites for refueling, whereas Tamarindo presents livelier choices. 

Best hikes

Best for out-of-this-world landscapes: Rincón de la Vieja National Park 

Want to see waterfalls, trek by forests, and stroll amid volcanic vents? Rincón de la Vieja National Park is the place. This journey is lower than an hour by automotive from Liberia Airport and underneath two hours from the Papagayo Peninsula. The round Las Pailas Trail winds by geothermal landscapes and a number of forest ecosystems, for an opportunity to see effervescent mud pots and wildlife, together with monkeys and toucans—all in simply over two miles.

Best for forest bathing: La Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena

Located on the southeastern fringe of Guanacaste, La Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena is an idyllic setting for forest bathing, the conscious observe of tuning into your senses whereas spending time in nature. In the inexperienced season, the sound of rainfall and the scent of the flowering vegetation add to the advantages of the forest bathing expertise. It’s additionally when guests have a great opportunity to identify the resplendent quetzal, the brilliant inexperienced and purple hen with ribbon-like tailfeathers.

Best for a coastal hike: Las Catalinas

When I lived in Potrero, I typically spent a day in Las Catalinas. I’d hike within the morning, then take a dip at Playa Dantita seaside within the afternoon earlier than grabbing a sundown dinner at one of many beachfront eating places. While a lot of Costa Rica’s trails traverse jungles and volcanic landscapes, Las Catalinas takes hikers and bikers on greater than 26 miles by the tropical dry forest. It’s particularly beautiful within the inexperienced season, when temperatures are typically snug, and the foliage is at its peak. Miradores (lookouts) alongside the paths open to views of the bay, and energetic wildlife, together with fearless iguanas and nesting birds, generally hang around alongside the paths.  

Where to remain

For the surfers: Olas Verdes

The solely factor standing between Olas Verdes’ company and the favored surf spot Playa Guiones is a peaceable stroll down a jungle path. This boutique all-suites resort, situated on the sting of the Ostional-Nosara Wildlife Refuge, options two swimming pools and 17 rooms unfold throughout 4 buildings. All supply kitchenettes, out of doors seating, cheerful orange-and-blue-hued decor, and enormous home windows that body the native forest.

With surfboard leases, each day yoga lessons, complimentary bikes, and guided walks by the refuge, company have every thing for a quintessential Costa Rica expertise. Stays embrace complimentary airport transfers and breakfast made with native components. Olas Verdes can organize off-site adventures too—like a go to to Playa Ostional to witness the arribada.

For a digital detox: Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River 

Located on the sting of a preserved dwarf forest with its namesake river operating by the center of the property, Rio Perdido Hotel is immersed in nature. The 38 bungalows are practically camouflaged by foliage, and the minimalist interiors—accented with handcrafted furnishings, wood partitions, floor-to-ceiling home windows, and volcanic rock tiles—convey the outside in. All supply non-public terraces—some with out of doors showers. The TV-free Center Bungalows let company benefit from the serenity, whereas the West Bungalows include TVs cleverly tucked out of sight.

Rio Perdido supplies gear and an in depth menu of device-free, on-site actions, together with out of doors yoga, birdwatching, mountain climbing, biking, ziplining, and tubing. But maybe the preferred exercise is just soaking or meditating within the thermal river, simply steps from the bungalows and naturally heated by the world’s energetic volcanoes. I visited Rio Perdido within the inexperienced season, and my solely criticism? I needed to depart.