Central America & Caribbean

Costa Rica in October

Pacific beach trips are a washout gamble, and some lodges close. Head to Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero instead, where this is prime time.

Think twiceWettest month on the Pacific, highs near 85F (29C); Caribbean at its calmest

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

The straight answer

October is a month to think twice about visiting Costa Rica. Pacific beach trips are a washout gamble, and some lodges close. Head to Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero instead, where this is prime time.

Weather: Wettest month on the Pacific, highs near 85F (29C); Caribbean at its calmest
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What October is like in Costa Rica

October is the wettest month on the Pacific side, with highs near 85F (29C) and heavy rain most afternoons and many nights. Pacific beach trips are a washout gamble, dirt roads can become impassable, and some lodges close. The twist is the Caribbean coast, which is at its calmest and sunniest, with turtles still nesting at Tortuguero.

Avoid the Pacific this month if you can. October only suits travelers heading to the Caribbean side, or bargain hunters who can handle rain and closures. For a Pacific beach trip, wait until late November or December, when the dry season returns.

Make the most of October

What is especially good about Costa Rica this month.

Puerto Viejo's best weather

The Caribbean town's beaches and reefs are at their calmest now, so snorkeling and lazy beach days actually work.

Last weeks of Tortuguero turtles

Green sea turtle nesting winds down through October. Book a guided night walk early in the month.

Southern humpbacks linger

Whales from the southern hemisphere are still off the south Pacific coast, though rough seas can cancel boat trips.

What to pack for October

A reliable rain jacket
Quick-dry clothes and a swimsuit
Insect repellent for the Caribbean coast
A dry bag for boat rides to Tortuguero

Our timing tip

Build the trip around the Caribbean side, and confirm any Pacific lodge is open before you book it.

Book Costa Rica for October.

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

What's on in October

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 October, quick answers

Is October a good time to visit Costa Rica?

October is a month to think twice about visiting Costa Rica. Pacific beach trips are a washout gamble, and some lodges close. Head to Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero instead, where this is prime time.

What is the weather like in Costa Rica in October?

Wettest month on the Pacific, highs near 85F (29C); Caribbean at its calmest.

Is Costa Rica crowded in October?

October is one of the quieter months in Costa Rica; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Costa Rica in October?

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).