Traveling to Costa Rica in December: Unforgettable Tropical Experience

Is December a good time to visit Costa Rica? YES! We believe you can have an amazing vacation in Costa Rica during any month of the year, and the holiday season is a great time to spend in the country. The important thing is to remember that your decision of when to visit depends on what you are looking for in a Costa Rican vacation.

If you're thinking of visiting Costa Rica in December, it's important to plan ahead, especially over the holidays. Maybe you want to escape the winter cold and celebrate Christmas or New Year’s on a tropical beach. Perhaps you're traveling with friends or on a family trip and the holidays are the only time you can all get together. The thing to remember is that this is also true of many other people, including Costa Ricans, which means big crowds and limited space. December marks the start of the high season, and although there are still some off-the-beaten-track places where the crowds don’t get quite as crazy, note that everything is generally busier than usual.

If you and your family are undecided between visiting Costa Rica or another tropical destination, like Mexico, we got you covered. It’s all weighing what benefits you most and what you want out of your holiday. To help you even more, we'll look below at all the ins and outs of travel to Costa Rica in December to determine whether this is the right month for you to come.

Early December weather in Costa Rica can be a little unpredictable. The transition from the rainy season to the dry season starts in November and continues into December, to settle fully into the dry season soon later. While the Pacific coast and Central Valley see a reduction in rainfall, there are instances where the rainy season lingers well into December. On the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, it's different. December in the Caribbean generally begins with wet conditions that intensify toward the end. This is attributed to polar air in the Gulf of Mexico, gathering heat and moisture, resulting in prolonged rainfall known locally as temporales del Atlántico, the Atlantic storms.

Another notable December weather phenomenon is the occurrence of strong winds called "papagayos," prevalent in Guanacaste in the Pacific Northwest. These winds arise from cooler, dry air descending from the north, displacing the warm, dense tropical air mass. The pressure difference propels the air across Costa Rica, accelerating through gaps in the central mountain ranges, reaching speeds exceeding 62 mph. And, in fact, these are often called “summer breezes”, and are one of the most beloved features of December afternoons in the Central Valley.

In the beaches and lowlands, temperatures typically range from the 70s to mid-80s, with lows in the 60s to mid-70s. Occasionally, low elevations may experience a day or two of temperatures in the mid-90s in December. Around San José and the Central Valley, temperatures are 5-10 degrees cooler, and at elevations exceeding 5,000 ft, temperatures can be 20 to 30 degrees lower in December.

December is perfect in many ways for a Costa Rican vacation. It's the first month of the dry season when rains are minimal in most places, and everything feels fresh and green. As it happens in every major holiday destination, at the end of the month, Costa Rica becomes extremely busy and prices are higher due to the festivities.

To make things easier for you, we look at the main pros and cons of visiting Costa Rica in December to see if it's a good time for you:

December and the tail end of the rainy season is a beautiful time of the year to visit Costa Rica, with many advantages when it comes to nature and wildlife. The country is still vibrant and green, fresh from the May-to-November rains. Later in the high season, forests can become dry, especially in Guanacaste, and by April things can look a little less lush. December has none of that. You get to experience everything open, from national park trails to zip line canopies, and more.

Evening night walks in the rainforest are great at this time of the year. Amphibians are still very active after the rainy season, yet you are less likely to be rained on as you join your guide in searching for them. Rivers are still high, which means white-water rafting is fun, and the waterfalls are full and breathtaking!

If birding is your thing, December is a great month. As well as our endemic species, the great migration has happened meaning the forests and wetlands are teeming with thousands of bird species.

December in Costa Rica can be split in two sections. In the first half of the month you can usually still take advantage of low season prices and lower crowds. If you want to travel in December and can do it early, we recommend you do it. This way you still get the best of Costa Rica’s early dry season while avoiding the busiest dates. Mid-to-late-December through to January is different. This is the most expensive time of the year. We call this time peak season and prices can be from 20–70% higher than at other times, so you have to ready your budget for this.

Availability is definitely something to keep in mind too if you want to visit Costa Rica in the peak season. Hotel space for these dates starts selling out around six months in advance, and by the end of October, there is virtually no availability anywhere. To reserve the more popular hotels, and to generally give yourself better options, we recommend planning early, up to a year in advance. You will need to book your flights early, too, and your activities. National parks can get very crowded, and space can be hard to find. Booking all your plans before you arrive avoids any disappointment.

We can also help find space in restaurants in peak season, but dinner for Christmas Eve and New Year’s can be particular. Many hotels have a mandatory dinner for all guests on these days. This is an extra cost, but can be a real bonus when faced with the difficult task of finding a table in the busy tourist towns! The main Christmas dinner is usually on December 24th so that most staff can take off the following day to spend with their families.

Traveling anywhere by road usually takes a lot longer, we make sure to factor this in when getting you from A to B. Taking care of your belongings in crowded areas, like the beach, for example, is especially important during busy times like the peak season. With lots of tourists, there are more opportunities for petty crime.

If you're a beach lover, then the Pacific side of Costa Rica is where to be in December. While others back home are struggling through the winter blues, you'll be relaxing poolside under the tropical sunshine or enjoying some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, sunbathing, swimming, or taking walks along the sand. Sunsets are truly magical at this time of the year, where every evening (around 5:30 pm) you can sip on happy-hour cocktails and watch that big golden ball melt into the ocean.

The best Pacific surfing in Costa Rica runs from May-November, so things are a little more mellow in December as those southern winter swells abate. That said, there's still fun to be had, and the Pacific coast is great for beginners and mid-level surfers at this time. It's also a great time for lessons. Guanacaste sees the beginning of some great offshore winds, which last through most of the dry season, which also makes surfing super fun. Serious surfers should head to the Caribbean coast in December. Sure, it's rainy over there, but it's the start of peak surfing season on that side of the country.

December and the beginning of the high season is a great time for fishing off the central and southern Pacific. Los Sueños as well as the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area are great locations to catch sailfish and dorado. Tarpon fishing is also in full flow on the Caribbean coast at this time. The offshore winds that make surfing so good in Guanacaste aren't great for fishing, so serious anglers should head south.

Snorkeling and diving are good in December. With less sediment flowing in from the rivers, visibility improves this time of year. Most boat trips will stop in a perfect snorkeling spot, and are a nice way to end your stay at the beach. While out on the ocean, you may be joined by dolphins and—if you're lucky—you may even spot migrating humpback whales (this is the time when the northern humpbacks come down from Alaska).

Packing for Costa Rica in December is easy—pack light! The weather is warm, so you won't need much. If you're arriving from a cold destination, you might have some cold weather gear for your journey to and from the airport, but rest assured, you won't be needing it in Costa Rica. Here are some clothing recommendations.

Daily attire will mainly consist of shorts, T-shirts, and perhaps a tank top or swimming outfit. Don't forget your flip-flops—perfect for the warm weather. For outdoor activities, pack sneakers or hiking shoes, and bring an extra pair of old sneakers or water shoes that you don't mind getting wet. If you find yourself in the city, having some long pants or a pair of jeans is a good idea. And, a crucial item: sunscreen! It's expensive in Costa Rica, so bring along as much as you can.

If your plans involve spending time at higher altitudes or in cloud forests, it's wise to pack a light rain jacket or poncho. This also goes for the Caribbean coast, which is rainy in December. Additionally, bring a light sweater or hoodie with long sleeves for those cooler moments.

As there is less rain, there are generally fewer pesky mosquitoes than earlier in the year. However, you should definitely still bring your bug spray, especially if you have rainforest hikes and excursions planned. For dense jungle treks it’s even better to wear long pants. Generally, as the sun goes down, mosquitos are most likely to strike around your ankles.

Costa Ricans do Christmas and New Year’s very well, and it's a wonderful place to be, with a friendly festive atmosphere. Families and friends usually gather together and it’s a time when most people are in high spirits and generous. Many of the locals go as crazy with the Christmas lights as any dedicated decorator anywhere in the world. Most of the main tourist beach towns will have fantastic displays of fireworks and beautiful lights on the streets.

Christmas is all about food for Costa Ricans. There are treats everywhere, but traditions usually win. Rompope, an eggnog-type drink with rum, is a popular festive beverage. Costa Rican tamales are a little different from other types of tamales in Latin America: they’re a mixture of corn dough, rice, vegetables, and pork, all wrapped up in a big banana plant leaf. They are also the main traditional Christmas meal, and locals love them. They are made days before, usually with the whole family getting involved, and you'll find them for sale all over the place. It’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture.

If you seek a traditional Christmas dinner from your country, don't worry—your hotel will probably provide this, as well as restaurants in most tourist communities.

We've already said this, but it needs repeating. The best way to enhance your December vacation is to book in advance to ensure you can stay in your preferred hotels and enjoy your favored activities. This cannot be overstated, especially over the holidays. Once in Costa Rica, though, you'll find December is easy traveling. Roads are open and everything is available, everyone is friendly and happy. You’ll be more than welcome.

Costa Rica in December is a fantastic time to visit. There is something for everyone! The jungle is vibrant and alive, the oceans are rich with life, and the streets are filled with friendly faces! With our dedication and expert knowledge, we can help you put together the December getaway you have been dreaming of. Costa Rica is a unique paradise where you will create memories to last a lifetime! Contact us to start planning now!