Central America & Caribbean

Costa Rica in May

The insider month: landscapes turning lush, prices down sharply, wildlife active, crowds gone. Mornings deliver almost everything the dry season does.

BestGreen season begins, sunny mornings, afternoon rain, highs near 87F (31C)

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

The straight answer

May is one of the best months of the year to visit Costa Rica. The insider month: landscapes turning lush, prices down sharply, wildlife active, crowds gone. Mornings deliver almost everything the dry season does.

Weather: Green season begins, sunny mornings, afternoon rain, highs near 87F (31C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What May is like in Costa Rica

May is the insider month. The green season begins, with sunny mornings, afternoon showers, and highs near 87F (31C). Landscapes turn lush, wildlife is active, prices drop sharply, and the crowds are gone. Mornings deliver nearly everything the dry season does, and the first rains make the forests noisy with frogs and birds.

It suits homeschool families, budget travelers, and anyone who likes green scenery and quiet trails. It is less ideal for travelers who want all-day beach sun. If that is you, February is the surest bet, though you will pay much more for it and share the trails.

Make the most of May

What is especially good about Costa Rica this month.

Green season deals

Lodges and tours drop prices sharply, and you get most of the dry-season experience for less.

Quetzal season continues

The cloud forests are still in quetzal nesting season, with guides tracking active nests.

Hot springs in the afternoon rain

Arenal's hot springs make the perfect plan when the afternoon showers arrive.

What to pack for May

A light rain jacket or poncho
Quick-dry clothing
Waterproof sandals or water shoes
Insect repellent
A dry bag for phones and cameras

Our timing tip

Plan hikes, zip lines, and park visits for early morning, and save hot springs or coffee tours for the rainy afternoons.

Book Costa Rica for May.

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

What's on in May

Quetzal nesting season

Roughly March through June in the cloud forests

The best window to see the resplendent quetzal in Monteverde and the highlands near San Gerardo de Dota, with guides tracking active nests.

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.