Costa Rica · Costa Rica
September
The wettest month on the Pacific — but the Caribbean coast enters its mini-dry season, and prices are at their lowest.
Best match
#2 of 12 months
September is one of the best times to visit Costa Rica.
Climate
High
24°C
Low
18°C
Rain
305mm
Sun
4.6hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How September scores in Costa Rica
Weather
Below average
Value
Perfect
Crowds
Perfect
Events
Very good
Atmosphere
Good
What you gain in September
- ↑Cheapest month to visit Costa Rica by a clear margin: budget airlines, rock-bottom accommodation rates, and tours at reduced prices — the same country at a fraction of high-season cost
- ↑Caribbean coast (Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cahuita National Park) enters its own mini-dry season in September–October: while the Pacific drowns, the Caribbean enjoys better weather, calmer seas, and excellent reef snorkelling
- ↑Tortuguero turtle nesting continues through September — the late-season nesting is often less crowded with visitors; combine with a Caribbean dry-season beach extension
What you sacrifice
- ↓305mm of rain is serious: September is the wettest month on the Pacific coast, with long heavy downpours that can last all day rather than the predictable afternoon pattern of other months
- ↓Sunshine hours fall to 4.6 daily and coastal roads can flood; rivers swell and some adventure activities (white-water rafting class grades increase, can close) become more intense or limited
- ↓The Pacific beaches are genuinely difficult to enjoy in September — this is not a month for beach holidays on the Pacific side; the Caribbean coast requires a plan B mentality
How September compares to July (best month)
| Factor | September | July ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 3 | 5 |
| Value | 10 | 8 |
| Crowds | 10 | 8 |
September in other destinations
Lisbon (24.6°C)Barcelona (25.5°C)Tokyo (28.1°C)Bali (30.4°C)Santorini (24.1°C)Paris (21.6°C)New York (23.9°C)Marrakech (31.6°C)Amsterdam (18.8°C)Maldives (30.2°C)Rome (26.5°C)Bangkok (31°C)Istanbul (24.2°C)Vienna (22.1°C)Seoul (25.1°C)Dubrovnik (24.9°C)Rio de Janeiro (27.3°C)Kyoto (28.6°C)Phuket (31°C)Cape Town (19°C)Prague (21°C)Amalfi Coast (27°C)Mexico City (22°C)Medellín (28°C)Fiji (27°C)London (20°C)Sydney (20°C)Iceland (10°C)Tulum (32°C)Dubai (39°C)Singapore (32°C)Hoi An (31°C)Chiang Mai (31°C)Miami (32.8°C)Florence (26.3°C)Queenstown (12.5°C)Madrid (28.7°C)Porto (25°C)Edinburgh (16°C)Copenhagen (18°C)Budapest (23°C)Kraków (19°C)Tbilisi (26°C)Palawan (30°C)Hanoi (31°C)Osaka (29°C)Goa (30°C)Cusco (20°C)Buenos Aires (18°C)Mykonos (27°C)Zanzibar (27°C)Sri Lanka (30°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Costa Rica, not across destinations. Methodology →