Central America & Caribbean

Costa Rica in July

The veranillo, a mini dry season, frequently brightens July just as summer-vacation families arrive. A quietly excellent month.

GoodOften a mid-summer dry spell, highs near 86F (30C)

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

The straight answer

July is a good month to visit Costa Rica. The veranillo, a mini dry season, frequently brightens July just as summer-vacation families arrive. A quietly excellent month.

Weather: Often a mid-summer dry spell, highs near 86F (30C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What July is like in Costa Rica

July often brings the veranillo, a mini dry spell that brightens the Pacific side for a week or two, with highs near 86F (30C). Afternoon showers still happen, but many days are sunny. Summer-vacation families arrive, so crowds and prices rise a little, though they stay well below dry season. Southern humpbacks start showing up off the south Pacific coast, and green sea turtles begin nesting at Tortuguero.

It is a quietly excellent month for families on summer break and anyone who wants green landscapes with decent sunshine. It is less ideal for travelers who need guaranteed dry days. If that matters most, February is the safest bet.

Make the most of July

What is especially good about Costa Rica this month.

The veranillo dry spell

A short break in the rains often brings sunnier days to the Pacific side in July. It varies each year, but it often helps.

Southern humpbacks arrive

Humpbacks from the southern hemisphere visit the south Pacific coast from roughly July through October.

Turtle nesting begins at Tortuguero

Green sea turtles start nesting on Tortuguero's beaches. Night viewing is by licensed guide only, in small groups with no lights.

What to pack for July

A light rain jacket
Quick-dry clothing and a swimsuit
Insect repellent
A headlamp for walking to dinner at jungle lodges

Our timing tip

Book Tortuguero turtle tours through your lodge in advance, since licensed guides and night slots are limited.

Book Costa Rica for July.

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

What's on in July

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.

Green sea turtle nesting at Tortuguero

Roughly July through October

One of the world's most important green turtle beaches. Night viewing is by licensed guide only, in small groups, no lights.

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 July, quick answers

Is July a good time to visit Costa Rica?

July is a good month to visit Costa Rica. The veranillo, a mini dry season, frequently brightens July just as summer-vacation families arrive. A quietly excellent month.

What is the weather like in Costa Rica in July?

Often a mid-summer dry spell, highs near 86F (30C).

Is Costa Rica crowded in July?

Crowds in Costa Rica are moderate in July; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Costa Rica in July?

Humpback whale seasons (roughly december through march and again july through october, strongest in the south pacific); Green sea turtle nesting at Tortuguero (roughly july through october).