When to go · San José
San José in December
Great month. Dry season begins; Christmas crowds.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Temperature
- 25°C77°F / 16°C61°F
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 6
- Crowds
- High
- Costa Rica overall
- Prices
- High
- Costa Rica overall
Verdict
Dry season begins; Christmas crowds.
Weather in December
- San JoséHighs around 25 °C, lows around 16 °C, rain on about 6 daysHighs around 77 °F, lows around 61 °F, rain on about 6 days
- Central Valley and mountains, Costa Rica · San José, Monteverde, Poás, Irazúbest weather
Spring-like 18–26 °C; Monteverde is cool, windy and misty — pack a fleece.Spring-like 64–79 °F; Monteverde is cool, windy and misty — pack a fleece.
Dry season season
Clear mornings and blue skies; best volcano views.
Watch: Higher prices and busy shuttles at Christmas and Easter.
Festivals and holidays
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.
Festival de la Luz and Christmas check
Early to mid December; 25 December · Downtown parade route
Crowded pavements; most shops close on 25 December.
Fiestas de Zapote
26 December – early January
Fairground, bull rides and concerts in Zapote, south of the centre; heavy evening traffic.
Christmas big impact
25 Dec · Costa Rica
Peak season with the New Year week.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Costa Rica overall
- High
- Prices · Costa Rica overall
- High
Costa Rica overall: Dry season returns; Christmas–New Year sells out — book months ahead.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.