Central America & Caribbean

Costa Rica in January

Peak season in full stride after the New Year rush fades. Book the famous lodges early; the weather is as reliable as it gets.

BestDry season, Pacific highs near 88F (31C), cooler in the mountains

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

The straight answer

January is one of the best months of the year to visit Costa Rica. Peak season in full stride after the New Year rush fades. Book the famous lodges early; the weather is as reliable as it gets.

Weather: Dry season, Pacific highs near 88F (31C), cooler in the mountains
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What January is like in Costa Rica

January is dry season in full stride. The Pacific coast sees highs near 88F (31C) and steady sunshine, while the mountains around Monteverde and Arenal stay cooler and breezy. The New Year rush fades after the first week, but this is still peak season, so famous lodges and rental cars cost more and book early. Everything is open.

It suits families, first-timers, and anyone who wants the most reliable weather for beaches, volcano views, and hikes. It is a weaker pick for budget travelers. If you want lower prices and greener landscapes, May or November give you sunny mornings for much less.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Costa Rica this month.

Reliable beach weather

The Pacific coast is dry and sunny, so Guanacaste and the Nicoya surf towns are at their most dependable.

Northern humpbacks arrive

Humpbacks from the north visit the south Pacific coast from roughly December through March. Uvita and Marino Ballena are the places to look.

Fiestas de Palmares

Two weeks of concerts and traditional horse parades in the town of Palmares draw crowds from across the country.

Clear views of Arenal

Drier skies give you better odds of seeing the full volcano cone, though clouds can still hide it some days.

What to pack for January

High SPF, reef-safe sunscreen
A light rain jacket for the cloud forest
A warm fleece for Monteverde evenings
Quick-dry hiking clothes
Water shoes for river and waterfall swims

Our timing tip

Skip the first week of January, when the Christmas and New Year crush is still clearing, and book Manuel Antonio's first entry slot ahead.

Book Costa Rica for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Costa Rica
Opens a hotel search for Costa Rica in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
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 January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in January

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.

Fiestas de Palmares

Two weeks in January

One of the country's biggest festivals: concerts, traditional horse parades, and crowds from all over Costa Rica in the town of Palmares.

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 January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Costa Rica?

January is one of the best months of the year to visit Costa Rica. Peak season in full stride after the New Year rush fades. Book the famous lodges early; the weather is as reliable as it gets.

What is the weather like in Costa Rica in January?

Dry season, Pacific highs near 88F (31C), cooler in the mountains.

Is Costa Rica crowded in January?

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

What is happening in Costa Rica in January?

Humpback whale seasons (roughly december through march and again july through october, strongest in the south pacific); Fiestas de Palmares (two weeks in january).