Central America & Caribbean

Costa Rica in September

On the Pacific: the year's heaviest rain, rough roads, and closures, including Monteverde-area rest weeks. The flip side: the Caribbean coast has its best weather now.

Think twicePacific rainy peak, highs near 85F (29C); Caribbean side sunny

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

The straight answer

September is a month to think twice about visiting Costa Rica. On the Pacific: the year's heaviest rain, rough roads, and closures, including Monteverde-area rest weeks. The flip side: the Caribbean coast has its best weather now.

Weather: Pacific rainy peak, highs near 85F (29C); Caribbean side sunny
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What September is like in Costa Rica

September is the Pacific rainy peak, with highs near 85F (29C) and heavy afternoon and evening rain. Rough roads and some closures are common, and some small lodges and tour operators pause. The Monteverde area takes maintenance downtime in the deepest low season. The Caribbean side, however, has its best weather now.

Avoid the Pacific coast this month if you can. It is only for budget travelers who accept rain and closures. The better plan is to head to the Caribbean coast, Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo, which is sunny and calm, or pick November for the Pacific instead.

Make the most of September

What is especially good about Costa Rica this month.

Caribbean coast at its best

Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero see their sunniest, calmest stretch of the year.

Tortuguero turtles

Green sea turtle nesting continues through the month.

Lowest prices of the year

The lodges that stay open offer deep discounts.

What to pack for September

A reliable rain jacket
Quick-dry clothing
Insect repellent
Water shoes

Our timing tip

Build your trip around the Caribbean side and check that Pacific lodges are open before you book them.

Book Costa Rica for September.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Costa Rica
Opens a hotel search for Costa Rica in September, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for September
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.
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Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Costa Rica
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Costa Rica for September. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in September

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 September, quick answers

Is September a good time to visit Costa Rica?

What is the weather like in Costa Rica in September?

Pacific rainy peak, highs near 85F (29C); Caribbean side sunny.

Is Costa Rica crowded in September?

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

What is happening in Costa Rica in September?

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).