April is easily one of the best months to travel to Costa Rica because although the dry season is drawing to a close, the weather is fantastic.
It's technically still peak season, but things are usually quieter in comparison to visiting Costa Rica in March. This means you'll be able to escape the worst of the crowds, especially towards the end of the month.
With so many Costa Rica escorted tour options, you can relax on beaches, hike volcanoes or venture into the rainforest. There's so much to see and even more to do. To inspire your trip, here's our quick guide to visiting Costa Rica in April.
It's hot in Costa Rica in April. In fact, April is often the hottest month of the year, and temperatures regularly approach 40 degrees Celsius along the coast.
For some, this can be too hot, but head inland and the temperatures start to drop as you gain altitude.
April is also the driest month of the year to be in Costa Rica. Although the Caribbean starts to see heavy rainstorms, most of the country is still incredibly dry, especially along the Pacific Coast.
See how the weather in April compares to other months by using our unique month-by-month comparison tool. This will also show you what Costa Rica in April is like for crowds, wildlife and prices.
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The high temperature in April in Costa Rica already makes it a good time to go in many people's eyes, but there are lots of other reasons to visit in April besides basking in the heat.
To start with, the surroundings are still very green and lush despite it being the dry season, encouraging lots of wildlife activity and allowing you to fully appreciate the country's natural beauty.
This time of year is also teeming with festivals and celebrations, especially if Semana Santa falls within the month.
Finally, as it's the high season, you'll have plenty of activities to choose from. Hike volcanoes, spot sloths in the trees, take a night tour to watch turtles or just subathe and swim; nothing is off-limits in April, and there are fewer crowds later in the month as the season draws to a close.
Attending events and festivals is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica in April, especially as most years see Easter fall during the month. If Easter falls during your visit, you'll be able to experience Semana Santa, the Holy Week.
This is one of the most festive times of the year, with parades and events in every town, village and city across the country. It can get extremely busy during this period, as locals and tourists alike will all be travelling, so be sure to plan ahead and book rooms and activities in advance. After Easter, things quieten down a lot.
April 11 is also Juan Santamaria Day, a national holiday celebrating the victory of Costa Ricans over American invaders in 1856.
April is a glorious time of the year to be in Costa Rica, and there's so much to see and to do during this month. Naturally, many of the best things to do in Costa Rica in April take place outside in the sunshine.
Wildlife lovers will be in for a treat, because this is when turtles start to arrive and to nest on Costa Rica's beaches. You can find them along much of the Pacific coast, but the Caribbean coast tends to be the best place to stay in Costa Rica in April for turtle sightings. National parks like Tortuguero offer the best chances of seeing them.
Nature lovers will also want to head into the rainforest, to national parks such as Corcovado or the Monteverde Cloud Forest. With the dry weather, the animals are much easier to spot in the wilderness, as they are forced to congregate around dwindling waterholes.
The Pacific coast is perfect for surfing in April, while you can also just kick back and book into a high-end resort, where you can enjoy the sun, sea and sand. As it's the end of the dry season, the water couldn't be clearer, and this is the best time of the year to go snorkelling or diving on either of Costa Rica's coastlines.
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In April, Costa Rica is mostly sunny and dry. The country is approaching the end of its dry season, so the occasional shower isn't unusual, but you're unlikely to encounter big tropical thunderstorms.
Plus, if you're hoping to catch some of that famously high Costa Rica temperature, April is an ideal month to do it. The temperature in April in Costa Rica often exceeds 30 Celsius in the daytime,
But for the most accurate answer to "What is the weather like in April in Costa Rica?", it's best to look at the forecast for the region you want to visit.
April would be a great time to visit Costa Rica in 2026. When you travel to Costa Rica in April, you'll enjoy weather that's mostly hot and dry, while the occasional showers as the country transitions into the rainy season ensure that your surroundings look lush, green and beautiful.
Here are a few more good reasons to travel to Costa Rica in April:
Is April a good time to visit Costa Rica? We certainly think so!
Although visitor numbers tend to taper later in the month, April is still considered part of the high season in Costa Rica. As such, flights, accommodation, vehicle rental rates and some activities are pricier than at other times of the year.
However, these prices often drop towards the end of the month, and prices for food and tours tend to stay similar all year round. We also can't answer the question "How expensive is Costa Rica in April?" without considering whether Easter falls within the month.
Holy Week, or Semana Santa as it's known locally, is a big draw for visitors, impacting accommodation availability and driving rates up by as much as 40%. But prices usually fall again as soon as the week is over.
If you're wondering what the best month is for Costa Rica travel, April is a strong contender. Here's why.
You won't be wondering what to do in Costa Rica in April, but what not to. With great weather and so much on offer, it can be hard to fit everything that excites you into one trip.
Taking a turtle-watching tour is on many people's lists of things to do in Costa Rica in April. Although it's slightly outside of the peak nesting time for most species, it's still possible to see leatherbacks and, if you're very lucky, early arrivals of endangered hawksbill sea turtles.
Head to the following coastal areas and national parks for the best chances of spotting them.
Because they don't nest in April, Costa Rica doesn't usually get green sea turtles or olive ridleys at this time of year.
Thanks to that toasty Costa Rica temperature, April offers great swimming conditions. With sea temperatures typically in the high twenties, the water is warm enough for a pleasant dip while still offering a refreshing break from the hot sun.
What's more, the dry April weather in Costa Rica means that the sea is calm and clear, especially on the Pacific coast. The high visibility means that it's perfect for snorkelling and diving.
The weather in Costa Rica in April can be less predictable on the Caribbean coast, with a greater chance of rain. While it's mostly still very safe for swimming, visibility may be lower and the surf stronger, so take extra care when enjoying the sea there.
In short, a swimsuit should definitely be on your list of what to pack for Costa Rica in April!
The dry weather in April in Costa Rica helps keep mosquitoes at bay, since the bitey bugs need standing water to breed. They're at their worst during the rainy season between May and November.
That being said, Costa Rica has a tropical climate, so you should expect to find some mosquitoes wherever you go, especially if you're visiting wetlands, rainforests or lakes.
When you're thinking about what to pack for Costa Rica in April, it's sensible to bring insect repellent and some light long-sleeved shirts and trousers to give you some protection. But you shouldn't expect the mosquitoes in April to be so bad as to make a big difference to your enjoyment of your trip.
An ideal time for Costa Rica travel, April is "Verano," or summer, in Central America. That means the weather in Costa Rica in April is hot and dry, for the most part. In fact, this is normally the hottest time of the year.
Despite that, the country is approaching the end of the dry season, so a little rain may be starting to seep in. But you'll mostly want to pack clothes that will help you handle the Costa Rican heat. Here's a quick guide.
With what you might think of as stereotypical San Jose, Costa Rica weather, April is one of the best times to visit.
