San José in October

In October, San José averages 25°C (77°F) during the day and 17°C (63°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 25 days of the month see precipitation (300 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

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

25°C
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
25
Rain days
300 mm
Rainfall

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

9th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
17%
of yearly rainfall falls in October
11 h 55 min
daylight on the 15th

October is in the middle of the year for warmth in San José (9th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature matches the city's annual average. October runs 1°C cooler than September (26°C) and stays flat into November.

October sunrise & sunset in San José

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:24 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:19 PM
Day length
11 h 55 min

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

Photography light in San José — October

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:24 AM – 5:04 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:04 AM – 6:04 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:39 PM – 5:39 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:39 PM – 6:19 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — San José in October

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 October's tier (Shoulder) and San José's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — October in San José

Shoulder

San José is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — October in San José

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12
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 October weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is San José in October?

In October, San José averages a high of 25°C (77°F) and a low of 17°C (63°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in San José in October?

October is quite rainy in San José, with about 25 rainy days on average.

Is October a good time to visit San José?

October 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 October?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full October 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.