Costa Rica has two seasons: the high season (also known as the dry season) and the green season (also known as the rainy season). The high season is generally from about December through April, and the green season from May through November, though these vary slightly from region to region.
Temperatures do not vary wildly throughout the year in Costa Rica, mostly staying in the 21 to 27 degrees Celsius range, or in the 70s on the Fahrenheit scale. The time of November through January is slightly cooler, and the heat and humidity peak during March, April and May.
On average, Costa Rica sees about 250 centimeters, or 100 inches, of rain every year. Rain usually occurs in the afternoon, but it sometimes can continue nonstop for days at a time, even during the dry season.
Costa Rica's equatorial proximity means there's not much variation in the beginning and end of the days throughout the year. The sun rises about 5 a.m. and sets about 6 p.m. daily.
Costa Rica is far enough south that it's usually out of the strike zone for tropical cyclones, but hurricanes do occasionally come close enough to have an impact on the country. In 1996, Hurricane Cesar caused widespread flooding and mudslides, killing 34 people.
