Central America & Caribbean

Costa Rica in December

Early December is a gorgeous shoulder; from Christmas week the country hits maximum occupancy at maximum prices.

GoodDry season arrives, highs near 87F (31C), breezy

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica — Costa RicaPhoto: Bernard Gagnon, CC0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Costa Rica. Early December is a gorgeous shoulder; from Christmas week the country hits maximum occupancy at maximum prices.

Weather: Dry season arrives, highs near 87F (31C), breezy
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Costa Rica

December brings the dry season back, with highs near 87F (31C) and breezy, sunny days. Early December is a gorgeous shoulder, with green landscapes, calm roads, and fair prices. From Christmas week through New Year, the whole country is on vacation, and lodges, rental cars, and buses hit maximum occupancy at maximum prices.

It suits families on holiday break and anyone who wants reliable weather. It is a weaker pick for budget travelers who can only go at Christmas. If you can, go in the first half of the month or wait until the second week of January.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Costa Rica this month.

The dry season returns

Sunny Pacific days return, perfect for Guanacaste beaches and volcano hikes.

Northern humpbacks arrive

Whales from the north start visiting the south Pacific coast around Uvita and Marino Ballena.

Green landscapes with dry weather

Early December gives you the best of both: lush scenery from the rains and sunny days.

What to pack for December

Sunscreen and a hat
A light fleece for the mountains
Swimwear and water shoes
Sturdy hiking shoes

Our timing tip

If you must travel Christmas week, book lodges and rental cars six months or more ahead.

Book Costa Rica for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Costa Rica
Opens a hotel search for Costa Rica in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Costa Rica
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Costa Rica
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Costa Rica for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Humpback whale seasons

Roughly December through March and again July through October, strongest in the south Pacific

Two hemispheres' worth of humpbacks use the same warm coast, making Uvita and the Marino Ballena area a nearly year-round whale destination.

Things to do in Costa Rica

Full guide

Arenal and La Fortuna

The classic volcano base: lava-field hikes, waterfall swims, and hot springs for the afternoon rain slot. The perfect cone hides in clouds some days in any season.

Tickets and tours →

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Hanging bridges through the canopy and a real shot at the resplendent quetzal, especially in nesting season. Bring layers; the cloud forest is genuinely cool and wet.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Manuel Antonio National Park

The greatest-hits park: sloths and capuchins over postcard beaches. Closed Tuesdays, capacity-capped, and best booked ahead with a licensed guide at opening time.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Tortuguero's canals

A roadless Caribbean 'Amazon in miniature' reached by boat or small plane, famous for green sea turtle nesting from roughly July through October.

Tickets and tours →

The Osa Peninsula and Corcovado

The wildest corner of the country, with scarlet macaws overhead and tapirs on the beach. Guided entry only; the dry months are far easier logistically.

Tickets and tours →

Surf towns of the Pacific

Tamarindo and Nosara for learner-friendly consistency, Santa Teresa for the boho scene. Waves run all year, with green-season swells often the biggest.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Travel in May, June, or November: green-season shoulder months deliver most of the dry season's mornings with a fraction of its crowds and prices.
Book the capacity-capped parks, Manuel Antonio above all, for the first entry slot of the morning: wildlife is most active, heat is lowest, and the tour waves land later.
Skip the two national holiday crushes if you can: Christmas through New Year's and Semana Santa fill beaches, buses, and lodges with the whole country on vacation at once.
Trade one famous stop for its quieter twin: Rincon de la Vieja instead of Arenal, the Nicoya surf towns instead of Manuel Antonio, San Gerardo de Dota instead of Monteverde.

Know before you go

Costa Rica does not close seasonally as a country, but September and October on the Pacific side are the exception zone: some small lodges and tour operators pause, remote dirt roads can become impassable, and the Monteverde area's famous reserves and businesses take some maintenance downtime in the deepest low season.
Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays and caps daily entries; Corcovado requires a licensed guide and advance permits year-round. Book both before you build days around them.
The Caribbean coast runs on the opposite weather calendar: its sunniest, calmest stretch is September and October, which keeps Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo very much open when the Pacific is at its wettest.
Semana Santa, the week before Easter, is the national vacation week: alcohol sales restrictions apply in some areas on the holiest days, transport is packed, and coastal lodging sells out far ahead.

Costa Rica in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Costa Rica?

December is a good month to visit Costa Rica. Early December is a gorgeous shoulder; from Christmas week the country hits maximum occupancy at maximum prices.

What is the weather like in Costa Rica in December?

Dry season arrives, highs near 87F (31C), breezy.

Is Costa Rica crowded in December?

Costa Rica is busy in December, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in Costa Rica in December?

Humpback whale seasons (roughly december through march and again july through october, strongest in the south pacific).