Costa Rica in May

Green season starts: sunny mornings, afternoon storms, lower prices.

• Guanacaste and the north Pacific · Liberia, Tamarindo, Nosara, Santa Teresarainy

  The driest region: brown hills and hot days Dec–Apr; a short dry spell (veranillo) in July.

• Central and south Pacific · Manuel Antonio, Uvita, Osa, Corcovadorainy

  Very wet Sep–Oct; some Osa lodges close and Corcovado can shut in October (check).

• Central Valley and mountains · San José, Monteverde, Poás, Irazúfine

  Spring-like 18–26 °C; Monteverde is cool, windy and misty — pack a fleece.

• Northern plains · La Fortuna, Arenalfine

  Rain any month; Arenal's cone is often in cloud — mornings are clearest.

• Caribbean · Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Tortuguerofine

  Reverse pattern: September–October are the driest months; Nov–Jan the wettest.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Labour Day

  1 May

  Public holiday.

Crowds · Costa Rica

Low

Prices · Costa Rica

Low

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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