When to go · Santa Elena
Santa Elena in March
Great month. Inside Santa Elena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry season, good visibility in cloud forest).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Temperature
- 30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C) / 21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 5
- Crowds
- High
- Costa Rica overall
- Prices
- High
- Costa Rica overall
Verdict
Inside Santa Elena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry season, good visibility in cloud forest).
Is another month better than March?
No other month rates higher than March for Santa Elena in this guide.
Weather in March
- Santa ElenaHighs around 30 °C (86 °F), lows around 21 °C (70 °F), rain on about 5 daysHighs around 86 °F (30 °C), lows around 70 °F (21 °C), rain on about 5 days
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.
Semana Santa big impact
Mar–Apr (Easter, check) · Costa Rica
Beaches full; alcohol sales limited Thursday–Friday in some cantons; buses reduced.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Costa Rica overall
- High
- Prices · Costa Rica overall
- High
Costa Rica overall: Hot and dry; Semana Santa may fall here (check) — beaches full.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Santa Elena, side by side.
Verdict
Mar: Great
Jan: Great
Daytime high
Mar: 30 °C (86 °F)86 °F (30 °C)
Jan: 28 °C (82 °F)82 °F (28 °C)
Night low
Mar: 21 °C (70 °F)70 °F (21 °C)
Jan: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
Rain days
Mar: 5 (better)
Jan: 6
Crowds
Mar: High
Jan: High
Prices
Mar: High
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Mar: 1
Jan: 0
March: Inside Santa Elena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry season, good visibility in cloud forest).
January: Inside Santa Elena's best window: Dec–Apr (dry season, good visibility in cloud forest).
Santa Elena: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen