Head on over to Costa Rica in July and you're in for a pleasant surprise. It should, by all accounts, be the middle of the rainy season, yet you're more likely to need sun protection than rain gear. July is like a strange mini dry season, with a dip in average rainfall and a brief return to peak-season weather. Here's our guide to making the most of July in Costa Rica.
The weather in Costa Rica in July is some of the strangest in Latin America. Although it should be firmly in the middle of the green season – also called the rainy season – the country tends to get a break from the wet weather and has a short little summer.
What makes it even better is that this is still the low season, too. So despite the wonderful weather and sunny skies, you'll find that there are fewer tourists around and that prices sit comfortably below their peak-season highs.
So, is July a good time to go to Costa Rica? It definitely can be. Bring your rain gear just in case, but take a chance on the green-season weather and you'll experience the best that Costa Rica has to offer without the crowds and at a fraction of the price.
The July weather in Costa Rica is weird, in that it doesn't seem to conform to general world standards. Because the wet season runs from May to November in Costa Rica, you'd think that July, sitting several months into the season, would have very high average rainfall. But it's statistically the driest month of Costa Rica's wet season, almost like a mini dry season. Some Costa Ricans even call it the "little summer."
This break in the rainy season makes it an excellent month to visit. You might get some rain once or twice during your trip, but the weather won't be a big factor when you're planning what to do in Costa Rica in July. Head north along the Pacific coast, and the arid climate around Guanacaste lowers the chances of even a little rain.
Over on the Caribbean coast, especially in the rainier south, it's more likely that there will be the odd thunderstorm. But even here it's generally drier than other rainy season months.
So we know that the weather in Costa Rica in July isn't bad, but is July a good month to visit Costa Rica for wildlife? Is it the cheapest month to go? Discover whether traveling to Costa Rica in July is right for you by using our unique month-by-month comparison tool. See at a glance what the crowds, prices, weather and wildlife activity will be like for any months you are considering.
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When it comes to things to do in Costa Rica, July doesn't disappoint. The locals make the most of the dry interlude by holding plenty of fiestas, and attending one is definitely one of the best things to do in Costa Rica in July. These lively occasions are a great chance to enjoy some Costa Rican culture, with traditional outfits, music, dancing and food all on display.
One of the best places to visit in Costa Rica in July for a big fiesta is Guanacaste. On the 25th, this province celebrates its Independence Day, remembering when it was officially annexed to Costa Rica after spending time as part of Nicaragua. The locals are very proud of their heritage, and many families come out to join the parties and parades. Visit the provincial capital, Liberia, for the biggest celebrations and events.
Puntarenas, on the Pacific coast, is another one of the best places to go in Costa Rica in July. Each year, it hosts a great fiesta to celebrate the Virgin of the Sea. The locals deck out their fishing boats in vibrant colours and sail a statue of the Virgen del Monte Carmelo out to sea. Of course, you can expect plenty of music, dancing, food and drink, too.
The best things to do in Costa Rica in July are to make the most of the dry weather and the low season peace and quiet, so get outside and enjoy the country's unique natural environment before the rain and crowds return.
Head north to find the warmest and driest Costa Rica weather in July, where you'll also be able to take advantage of low-season prices at popular resort towns on the Pacific coast. Visit Tamarindo for excellent coastal views, or spend a week or two basking in the sun on the Papagayo Peninsula, the best place to stay in Costa Rica in July for an indulgent luxury break.
To get a little off the beaten track during your Costa Rica luxury travel package, head to the Nicoya Peninsula, also on the Pacific Coast, and enjoy great snorkelling and jungle trekking with plenty of waterfalls. The waterfalls will be bursting after the rains of the last few months, while the jungle will be lovely and green.
However, the Costa Rica climate in July can be very humid. To find cooler weather in July in Costa Rica, travel inland to elevated regions like Monteverde or Arenal Volcano National Park. Here, you can hike around and enjoy spectacular scenery while seeing some of the country's amazing wildlife. Bird watching is one of top things to do in Costa Rica in July, as you can spot famous tropical birds like toucans and macaws.
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The sea temperature in July in Costa Rica is warm enough to bathe in, let alone swim. The average for the month is around 27 Celsius, or 81 Fahrenheit, which is only marginally cooler than the daytime air temperature along the coast.
Sea-based activities like swimming, surfing and snorkeling are among the best things to do in Costa Rica in July, and there are few better places to spend the little summer interlude than in the water. Some areas are better suited to certain activities than others, though.
Going to Costa Rica in July can be a good idea if you're on a budget because you'll avoid the peak season prices. Despite the mini dry season that happens during the month, most tourists avoid visiting Costa Rica in the rainy season, so hotels and services such as car rentals tend to drop their rates.
That being said, July is not the lowest of the low season. Businesses catering towards tourists know that the weather in Costa Rica in July picks up, and that this little summer attracts more visitors than in the wetter months. So, you can expect middling prices. Going to Costa Rica in July isn't the cheapest month, but it's often much cheaper than peak months like January and February.
While it might not be part of the peak season for Costa Rica travel, July is actually a good month to visit for many reasons. Let's explore what it is about Costa Rica in July that makes this month stand apart from the rest of the wet season.
The Costa Rica climate in July is unusual. Although it's a couple of months into Costa Rica's rainy season already, the weather suddenly clears up and rain is much less frequent for a few weeks. It's still wetter than in dry season months like March, but the Costa Rica weather in July makes it statistically the driest month of the wet season.
However, the amount of rain you'll see also depends on where you go. Visit the Caribbean coast and you'll still find frequent showers and thunderstorms, but when you go to northern provinces along the Pacific coast, like Guanacaste, Costa Rica in July is mostly blue skies and sunshine.
Overall, traveling to Costa Rica in July means you'll be visiting during a very opportune month. Why?
Well, most visitors coming to Costa Rica want to focus on nature, wildlife and the beach. These are all strongly weather dependent, and what is the weather in Costa Rica in July like? More than warm enough to enjoy these, even if it's a little wet at times. But in some areas, like Guanacaste, Costa Rica in July can be very dry, even though it's the wet season.
And why else is Costa Rica good to visit in July, besides the weather and the great outdoors? There are actually a few reasons.
You also don't have to think too much about what to wear in Costa Rica in July. You can mostly wear light summer clothing, just make sure it's quick-drying and carry a raincoat with you, just in case.
What to pack for Costa Rica in July is equally simple. Just don't forget tropical essentials like sunscreen and insect repellent.
July in Costa Rica is a great time to appreciate the country's biodiversity. There are turtles nesting, and any number of tropical birds and animals can be found in the forests and jungles. But what is Costa Rica like in July specifically for whale watching? The answer is: pretty good!
July is the start of the Southern-hemisphere humpbacks' migration period, so they'll start traveling up past Costa Rica's coastlines on their way to find warmer waters in the north. They can often be seen around Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park from July until October. Many humpbacks also mate during this period, so you're in with a chance of seeing some mother-and-calf pairs, too.
As it's the beginning of the migration period, Costa Rica in July doesn't offer the maximum chance of whale sightings, but it's a very strong month compared to April and May. It's well worth booking a tour, as you can also see other marine animals like dolphins, and there are few better places to enjoy the toasty Costa Rica July temperature than on a ship's deck.
