May is officially the beginning of the rainy season, but don't worry too much. The weather in May in Costa Rica is still mostly sunshine, with occasional brief showers. The heavy rains don't show up until later in the season.
This actually makes May a beautiful time to be in the country. The wetter Costa Rica weather in May revitalises the country's already stunning natural environment, which is why it's known as the green season. It's also the start of low season for tourism, so there are fewer tourists at top attractions, and you can avoid high-season prices for hotels and flights.
Now that you know the answer to "Is May a good time to go to Costa Rica?" is a resounding yes, here's our guide to the best places to go in Costa Rica in May.
Yes, Costa Rica in May is beginning its rainy season, but the weather doesn't instantly switch from clear skies to dramatic storms. It's a transitional month.
The great weather might start being punctuated with a little rain, but it's not going to ruin your holiday. It will still be lots of fun, and with the Costa Rica temperature in May regularly soaring above 30 Celsius, some rain to cool things off is often welcome.
For cheaper Costa Rica travel, May is a good time to go. You'll enjoy lots of sun while taking advantage of lower prices. Book your holiday in May if you want to save money and have a more peaceful time in Costa Rica, in comparison to the much busier dry season.
See how much cheaper and quieter Costa Rica is in May compared to other months by using our month-by-month comparison tool.
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There's always a lot going on in Costa Rica, May being no exception. A big public holiday is Labour Day, and you can expect there to be exciting sporting events in stadiums and plenty of street parties and fiestas across the country, making May an ideal time for booking one of our many Costa Rica vacation tour packages.
Many food festivals are also held throughout May as the locals celebrate the start of the rains by eating and drinking, and towns will host their own small fiestas to celebrate their local patron saints. Visit the city of Desamparados for one of the biggest May fiestas, and see traditional Costa Rican music, dance and bloodless bullfights.
The day of Saint Isidore, the patron saint of farmers, is also widely celebrated. Head into a participating town and you'll find cattle parades, football matches and, of course, lots of food and drink.
There are a lot of great things to see and to do in Costa Rica in May. Outdoor activities are still on offer, high-season prices are over, and best of all, you'll find that the tourist crowds are starting to disappear, too.
If you want to stay as dry as possible in Costa Rica in May, then keep to the north Pacific regions. In particular, head northwest to the Nicoya Peninsula, which has the driest Costa Rica climate in May. Here, you can enjoy beautiful beaches and scenic national parks like Palo Verde and Barra Honda.
If you're looking for a little luxury though, make your way to the Papagayo Peninsula, also in the northwest, where you can indulge at lavish beach resorts while paying lower prices and sharing them with few other tourists.
Inland, head to the Arenal Volcano to hike the trails around this spectacular volcanic peak before the rains begin to make getting in or out more difficult. Or visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest to see the famed tall trees surrounded by mist, with quieter crowds than earlier in the year.
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If swimming is on your list of things to do in Costa Rica in May, then fear not. Although May marks the start of the rainy season, temperatures both in and out of the water remain incredibly warm.
In the sea, the Costa Rica May temperature hovers around the high twenties, reaching up to 29 Celsius on the Pacific coast. Those are bathing temperatures, making them more than warm enough to swim in.
While swimming remains one of the best things to do in Costa Rica in May, the increased rainfall does mean you'll need to take a little extra care.
When it comes to Costa Rica travel, May is a relatively cheap month to go. Although it's probably generally wetter than how you imagine typical San Jose, Costa Rica weather, May has the advantage of being less crowded because it's the start of the low season.
The tapering demand is reflected in the prices of rooms and flights, and you might notice more promotions starting around this time too.
If you're on a tight budget, then going to Costa Rica in May is a great option. Things are not yet at their quietest, lots of tours and activities are still available, and you're not yet into full-blow tropical rainstorm territory. It's more of a transitionary month into the rainy season, where you're more in danger of occasional afternoon showers.
If you've looked up the Costa Rica weather in May, you've probably seen lots of mentions of it being the rainy season. It's only natural to ask yourself, "Is may a good time to go to Costa Rica?"
The answer is an emphatic "yes," and there are lots of reasons why it's still worth visiting.
The weather in May in Costa Rica is generally wetter than in the preceding months of the year. The dry season runs from December to April, so May marks the return of more frequent rainfall for most of the country.
However, the rainy Costa Rica weather in May is not like rainy weather further up in the Northern Hemisphere. There are some important differences you should know about:
While the rain might affect decisions about what to wear in Costa Rica in May, it won't affect your enjoyment.
In short, yes. When you visit Costa Rica in May, travel expenses are cheaper because it's the low season, it's easier to book things because of the increased availability, and the weather offers some unique advantages.
Rain is still rare enough not to have a negative impact on your trip, but there's enough to make the scenery noticeably more green and vibrant.
However, it's also important to head to the right areas based on your interests, and to pack appropriate clothing.
These are just a few ideas. Don't be afraid to explore destinations off of the beaten track.
Good planning and preparation is the key to having a great time traveling to Costa Rica in May.
When you're planning what to do in Costa Rica in May, you might notice that there are whale-watching tours on offer. But while the comfortable Costa Rica temperature may make for an enjoyable boat ride, May is not one of the peak whale-watching months.
The humpback migration windows occur from December to March and July to October. If you're traveling to Costa Rica in May, you'll miss these, which means that the chances of whale sightings are slim.
However, it's not impossible to see some whales if you visit the right areas. The best places to go in Costa Rica in May for whale watching include Marino Ballena National Park, Drake Bay and Osa Peninsula.
But if you're now wondering what to do in Costa Rica in May instead of whale watching, there are plenty of other marine animals you can go and see.
Whale watching might not be one of the best things to do in Costa Rica in May, but with a wide variety of vibrant marine life on display and the warm Costa Rica May temperature to enjoy, boat trips can still be a lot of fun.
