Many visitors are always asking when the best time is to go to Costa Rica. It makes sense considering that the weather in Costa Rica affects everyone’s experience in Costa Rica.
Visiting the country during the dry season could be so much different from visiting during the rainy season. The difference could be a deal-breaker or exciting depending on the person.
So, it is always a good idea to plan your visit depending on the season that you are looking for. The dry season could be great for people who are looking to explore the rain forests, beaches, or other places as much as possible and don’t mind the humidity and hot temperatures.
The rainy season, on the other hand, can give travelers more challenge in their adventures. You won’t have to deal with the hot temperatures, but you must be careful with mud, strong wind, and other obstacles created by the rain.
In this article, we’re going to talk about a specific month – September. How is it like visiting Costa Rica in September? What are the activities you can do and is worth it? Let’s see.
The weather in September
For some parts of Costa Rica, September is actually one of the wettest months of the year, next to October. September is actually a great month to relax on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.
The weather is perfect, even though September also marks the beginning of the rainy season that will last for seven months. But then again, most of that rain will fall on the mountains and near the Pacific coast.
So, if you are planning to chill on the Caribbean coast you can still do so without problems. The Caribbean coast will still be warm enough due to the sun shining above and the sea will be calm and perfect to swim in.
Not to mention all the discounts and other deals you can get, and the fact that you’ll see fewer crowds and more hotels are available for you too.
Surprisingly a lot of people don’t know this. They think the whole country is going to be raining heavily, so they want to avoid September. But it is a big mistake. September is the best time to visit the Caribbean coast.
The coast is dry, and you can enjoy the beautiful view for as much as you want. It is the complete opposite of the Pacific coast where it’s going to be rainy all day long.
For the temperatures, it is going to be 71 – 90˙ F (22 – 32˙ C) on the Pacific coast, 60 – 76˙ F (16 – 24˙ C) in San Jose, and 71 – 88˙ F (22 – 31˙ C) in the Caribbean coast. As you can see, the Caribbean coast is warmer than the other two places.
In other places like the central region, for example, will get a lot of rainy days during September. The usual pattern would be sunny in the morning and followed by light rain in the afternoon throughout the evening.
Planning your travel
As already mentioned above, the Caribbean coast is going to be perfect in September. And since many people usually decide to not travel in September, it will be much easier to make a reservation then.
If you don’t like big crowds, you should also plan your travel in September. If you want to visit the Caribbean coast at a bargain price, this is your chance.
In other places, from June to December, usually, there are more visitors during this time of the year. Making a reservation could be more difficult but unless you’re planning to stay at the most popular hotels, you should be able to get a room with no problems.
The roads are going to be another problem you should be watching out for. Some roads are going to be less safe to travel, especially Drake, Golfito, Zancudo, and Corcovado.
Always make sure that the hotels or lodges that you want are accessible before you depart. This is even more important if you are planning to travel to the southwest and Osa peninsula.
The prices are low in September
September is truly the best time of the year for low-budget travelers because September is the green season of the year. Other months that are worth mentioning are May and October. Many 3.5 – 4-star hotels offer big discounts in September. Sometimes the prices are just as low as a 2-star hotel.
Sometimes you can also find deals like 4 nights for the price of 2 or 3 nights. Overall, if you know what you are doing, you can expect to save 30% compared to traveling during high season months.
And of course, making a reservation will be much easier and fewer crowds everywhere you go are a big plus as well.
Other places to visit
Okay, so I have talked a lot about the Caribbean coast, but what are some other awesome places to visit in September?
Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, and Tortuguero are some of the best places you can visit in September. These places are famous for their beautiful beaches and stunning marine life, especially the corals.
And you can enjoy your time without being interrupted by rain here. Expect calm water and the sun shining non-stop.
In Tortuguero National Park, September is the time when turtles are nesting. It will be your chance to see thousands of sea turtles laying their eggs on the beach.
And believe me, it is worth it just for the turtles alone. There are also nightly turtle tours that you can take and are available for the whole month, also, the guides are the official park naturalists.
The northwest part of Costa Rica is also worth considering in September. Places like Playa del Coco and Playa Flamingo in the northwest and the Nicoya Peninsula in the north are some of the best spots. It might rain but still much less rainy compared to the Pacific coast and the mountains.
Places to avoid
The Pacific coast is obviously the place to avoid. It is pretty much going to rain a lot in September. High elevation mountains can be dangerous for travelers, so you should avoid the mountains.
Besides the rain, many businesses always choose to shut down during September and October when the rainy season reaches its peak.
Festivals and holidays in September
The first festival of the month is Dia de las Cultural, which happens on the 12th, and celebrates ethnic and cultural diversity in Costa Rica. On the 14th, there will be El Desfile de Faroles, which is probably one the most beautiful holidays in Costa Rica, where thousands of students will parade the streets carrying red, white, and blue lanterns. The parade starts at 6 PM, right after the country sings the national anthem.
On the 15th, Costa Rica will celebrate Independence Day. This is the most special day of the year for Costa Ricans. The day when they declared their independence from the Spanish colonial rule in 1821.
There will be patriotic parades carrying the flag and featuring many performances by local students. The students will be wearing traditional clothes and marching and dancing along the way.
September is a great month to visit Costa Rica
So, what are your plans now for September? September is a great month to visit Costa Rica. You can enjoy the beautiful weather without seeing too many crowds. You can also stay at great hotels for cheaper and get an easier time to make a reservation.
And of course, the holidays and festivals already mentioned above will certainly make your stay in Costa Rica much more special.
September is like a hidden gem in Costa Rica, which not many people know about, thus making it even more special for some people. Plan your trip carefully, and September could be your special month.