Costa Rica enjoys a tropical location hovering over the 10 degree Latitude line, but when it comes to weather Costa Rica’s climates vary greatly depending on altitude, and pressure systems that affect the country from the Pacific and Caribbean.

Costa Rica is considered to have two seasons, wet and dry. The wet season runs from April through mid-November, though it only really affects residents and visitors during the heaviest months of September and October. During the rest of the season, afternoon rain showers are quite common though they only last several hours at a time.

The dry season runs from mid-November into early April and while the Christmas months tend to be a bit colder, come February, the country can be quite warm. The variation often leads to times of flooding and drought at the peak of each season.

Exceptions to these rules include the Caribbean climate, which experiences a mini dry season in September and October while the rest of the country is at its rainiest. Also, in rain forest regions such as the Osa Peninsula and the southern Caribbean, you can expect to see rain during the dry season. In high regions such as Mount Chirripo, Monteverde and the Central Valley, expect temperatures that are cooler than the rest of the country.