San José in August

In August, San José averages 26°C (79°F) during the day and 17°C (63°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 23 days of the month see precipitation (241 mm total).

High season

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

August offers comfortable temperatures in San José, with some rain to plan around.

26°C
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
23
Rain days
241 mm
Rainfall

How August compares to the rest of the year in San José

5th
warmest month of the 12
3rd
wettest month of the 12
13%
of yearly rainfall falls in August
12 h 27 min
daylight on the 15th

August is in the middle of the year for warmth in San José (5th of 12) and one of the wettest months (3rd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (25°C). August runs 1°C warmer than July (25°C) and stays flat into September.

August sunrise & sunset in San José

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:27 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:54 PM
Day length
12 h 27 min

Times shown for San José local time (America/Costa_Rica), calculated for the 15th of August. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in San José — August

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of August, in San José's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:27 AM – 5:07 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:07 AM – 6:07 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:14 PM – 6:14 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:14 PM – 6:54 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near San José.

📅 When to book — San José in August

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on August's tier (High season) and San José's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
2-3 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-3 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.

Crowds & pricing — August in San José

High season

This is a busy month in San José — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather Northern Hemisphere summer holidays

Sun & mosquito risk — August in San José

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
13
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

San José in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 24°C / 75°F 15°C / 59°F 6 mm 1
February 25°C / 77°F 15°C / 59°F 8 mm 1
March 26°C / 79°F 16°C / 61°F 18 mm 2
April 27°C / 81°F 17°C / 63°F 65 mm 7
May 26°C / 79°F 17°C / 63°F 226 mm 19
June 26°C / 79°F 17°C / 63°F 248 mm 22
July 25°C / 77°F 17°C / 63°F 211 mm 21
August 26°C / 79°F 17°C / 63°F 241 mm 23
September 26°C / 79°F 17°C / 63°F 305 mm 24
October 25°C / 77°F 17°C / 63°F 300 mm 25
November 25°C / 77°F 16°C / 61°F 145 mm 14
December 24°C / 75°F 15°C / 59°F 41 mm 4

Other cities with similar August weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for San José in August →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is San José in August?

In August, San José averages a high of 26°C (79°F) and a low of 17°C (63°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in San José in August?

August is quite rainy in San José, with about 23 rainy days on average.

Is August a good time to visit San José?

August is warm but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for San José in August?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full August packing list for San José for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open San José on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.