Worst time to visit San José

Some months in San José are clearly tougher for travel — extreme heat, cold, drenching rain, or peak storm season. Here's what to skip.

Country
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Region
Central America
Hottest
April 27°C
Coldest
January 15°C low
Wettest
October 25 rain days
Driest
January 1 rain days

Months to avoid

MonthWhy
Mayextremely wet (19 rain days)
Juneextremely wet (22 rain days)
Julyextremely wet (21 rain days)
Augustextremely wet (23 rain days)
Septemberextremely wet (24 rain days)
Octoberextremely wet (25 rain days)
Novembervery wet (14 rain days)

What to expect in the worst months

May. 19 rain days out of 31 means roughly 61% of days see measurable rainfall — plan flexible indoor backups for every outdoor day.

June. 22 rain days out of 30 means roughly 73% of days see measurable rainfall — plan flexible indoor backups for every outdoor day.

July. 21 rain days out of 31 means roughly 68% of days see measurable rainfall — plan flexible indoor backups for every outdoor day.

Better times to go

Better months: January (24°C, 1 rain days) · February (25°C, 1 rain days) · March (26°C, 2 rain days) · April (27°C, 7 rain days) · December (24°C, 4 rain days)

Better in the same region in May

If you're set on Central America in May, these cities have more comfortable conditions in the same window:

If you still have to go — what to bring

Related San José guides

See the best time to visit San José →

The positive counterpart: which months are great and why.