High season in Costa Rica can be both exhilarating and challenging. This beautiful and vibrant country offers a fantastic experience, but it’s essential to be prepared for the bustling atmosphere that comes with peak travel times.
From sunny weather to cultural festivities, the high season is the perfect time to explore the best of Costa Rica. Let’s dive into what you need to know about the high season in Costa Rica, including the good, the bad, and everything in between.
What Do We Mean by “High Season”?
First things first: These are the times of the year in Costa Rica when everyone comes. That is simplistic, to say the least. However, if you look at the numbers, you will see that a large percentage of visitors concentrate on these particular dates, and for different reasons.
This evolves and changes over time, and some years, because of temporary events, this can be different when you are coming. But in general, we find the highest numbers of visitors during this time of year.
High Season in Costa Rica: When Does It Happen?
As you can see in the graphic above, in the travel industry in Costa Rica, you will find four distinct seasons:
- High Season: From Christmas Eve to the end of Easter.
- Peak Season: Two main periods within the high season:
- Christmas Eve to the first Sunday of January.
- Easter week (dates vary each year).
- Green Season: Coincides with summer vacations (June and July) and traditional European vacations in August.
- Rainy Season: September, October, November, and parts of December and May.
Peak Season: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
- Peak Season: Two main periods within the high season:
- Christmas Eve to the first Sunday of January. This is a time of year when everyone in the Western world gets vacations. From the Costa Rican families to all Latin America and the universities, schools, and companies all over the world. And that is why this is a popular time to visit Costa Rica.
- Easter week (dates vary each year). This is a date that changes year to year, and even though it is not as popular as the last week of the year, it is still vacation time for all of the Catholic world, starting with Costa Rica and going throughout Latin America.
The Good:
- Fantastic Weather: Sunny, with a bit of wind and chillier temperatures in the mountains.
- Festivities: Witness major celebrations, such as the biggest horse parade in San José.
- Local Culture: Experience the genuine Costa Rican way of life alongside tourist attractions.
- Wildlife Sightings: Better chances of seeing wildlife due to the favorable weather.
- Coffee Tours: The best time for coffee tours as it coincides with the peak of the coffee harvest.
- Waterfalls: See waterfalls at their most pristine.
The Bad:
- Higher Costs: Everything from hotels and tours to food will be more expensive.
- Limited Availability: Difficult to find accommodations and tour spaces in popular areas.
- Rental Cars: Rental cars are often fully booked.
- Rainy Caribbean: The Caribbean side experiences its rainy season with frequent downpours.
The Ugly:
- Long Lines: Expect lines almost everywhere.
- Noisy Rainforests: Human voices and even shouting can disturb the tranquility.
- Delays: Longer waits at restaurants, tours, and check-ins/check-outs.
Recommendations:
- Early Reservations: Book at least a year in advance.
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations: Explore lesser-known areas of Costa Rica.
High Season (Not Peak): The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
This is our sunny season. It goes from Christmas Eve to the end of Easter.
The Good:
- Sunny Weather: The Pacific side, Central Valley, and southern mountains enjoy bright, sunny days.
- Cultural Activities: Enjoy concerts, art fairs, and more in major population centers.
- Top-Notch Service: The travel industry is fully operational, with excellent service quality.
- Blooming Trees: Trees are in bloom, adding to the scenic beauty.
- Birdwatching: Migratory bird species add to the extensive list of bird species in Costa Rica.
- Coffee Tours: See water mills at work during coffee tours.
- Stunning Sunsets: Enjoy breathtaking sunsets on the Pacific coast.
- Rafting Tours: Great and milder rafting tours.
- Waterfalls: Beautiful waterfalls under the sunny sky.
The Bad:
- Higher Rates: Prices are higher than in the green or rainy seasons.
- Caribbean Floods: Floods or landslides may occur in the Caribbean, especially in January and February.
- Chilly Mountains: Temperatures can drop to 40-50°F in mountainous areas like San Gerardo de Dota, San Ramón, or Monteverde.
The Ugly:
- Crowds: Popular tours and national parks are crowded.
- Long Lines: Extended waiting times at tours and national parks.
Tips for High Season Travel:
- Use a Tour Operator: Tavo Leon Tours is a super personalized travel company founded and operated by a certified and experienced tour guide. They can create the ultimate vacation for you in high or low season in Costa Rica. A travel agent can find better rooms and alternative tours when everything is full.
- Avoid Cruise Days: Check with your travel designer about the arrival of cruises and avoid those days to skip the crowds.
- Plan Ahead: Do not leave planning to the last minute, especially if you have specific destinations in mind. Everything fills up fast.
- Early Mornings: Schedule your activities earlier in the day and visit popular attractions like Manuel Antonio National Park or Monteverde Reserve in the afternoon.
Conclusion
Costa Rica is a wonderful destination any time of the year, but visiting during the high season requires careful planning to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
With the right preparation and guidance from Tavo Leon Tours, you can navigate the high season’s challenges and fully enjoy what Costa Rica has to offer.
Contact Tavo Leon Tours today to design a perfect vacation tailored to your needs, whether it’s high or low season. Experience the best of Costa Rica with personalized service and expert advice from Tavo Leon Tours.
Written by Olga Sáenz, who has explored similar topics on olgasaenz.com. All Rights Reserved.
