San José in January
In January, San José averages 24°C (75°F) during the day and 15°C (59°F) at night, with only about 1 rainy day.
High seasonConditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Skies are generally dry and clear.
January is a great month to visit San José: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.
How January compares to the rest of the year in San José
January is one of the coolest months in San José (11th of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (25°C). January runs roughly the same as December (24°C) and warms a further 1°C into February (25°C).
January sunrise & sunset in San José
Times shown for San José local time (America/Costa_Rica), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in San José — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in San José's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — San José in January
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 January's tier (High season) and San José's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — January in San José
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: excellent tourism weather
Sun & mosquito risk — January 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 January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for San José in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is San José in January?
In January, 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 January?
January is generally dry in San José, with about 1 rainy day on average.
Is January a good time to visit San José?
January 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 January?
Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full January packing list for San José for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.