San José in December
In December, San José averages 24°C (75°F) during the day and 15°C (59°F) at night, with only about 4 rainy days.
Peak seasonConditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
December is a great month to visit San José: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.
How December compares to the rest of the year in San José
December is one of the coolest months in San José (12th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (25°C). December runs 1°C cooler than November (25°C) and stays flat into January.
December sunrise & sunset in San José
Times shown for San José local time (America/Costa_Rica), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in San José — December
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in San José's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — San José in December
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 December's tier (Peak season) and San José's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — December in San José
San José is in peak season during this month — expect bigger crowds at famous sights, higher hotel and flight prices, and longer queues. Restaurant reservations a few days out are advisable, and any boutique hotels you have your eye on should be booked weeks ahead. The trade-off: most attractions, restaurants, and seasonal services are fully open, the weather is at its most reliable, and the city feels at its most alive.
Why this tier: excellent tourism weather Christmas / New Year travel surge
Sun & mosquito risk — December in San José
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
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow 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 December weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for San José in December →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is San José in December?
In December, San José averages a high of 24°C (75°F) and a low of 15°C (59°F) — generally warm.
Does it rain a lot in San José in December?
December is generally dry in San José, with about 4 rainy days on average.
Is December a good time to visit San José?
December is warm and mostly dry. 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 December?
Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full December packing list for San José for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.