Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The best time to visit is the dry season from December to May, although it will still rain occasionally. Vacation for the schools runs from December to February, so the beaches will be quite crowded then. The rainy season begins in May, but the early part of this season is still a good time to visit. There will be fewer tourists and accommodations will be cheaper. Later in the rainy season, roads will become muddy and sometimes impassable. Many American and European tourists come in June and July, so prices go back up again.
Pay attention to the season if you want to visit for a surfing trip. On the Pacific side, the biggest swells and fastest waves occur during the rainy season, beginning in late June and reaching their peak during September and October. These two months are also the rainiest. On the Caribbean side, the waves are best from October to March. The best time for fishing depends on what you're after. On the Caribbean side, January through May is the best time for tarpon, while September through November is best for snook. For the Pacific Ocean, November through May is the best time for sailfish.
The sea turtle is one of Costa Rica's biggest draws. On the Caribbean coast, the best time to view leatherback turtles is April and May and green turtles is August and September. For people interested in birding, Costa Rica is a haven year-round. However, if you want to view the brightly colored quetzal, November through April is the best time to visit. Costa Rica is also a good place to see migratory birds and the best periods are March through April and September through October.