Costa Rica in September and October: 3 itineraries where the rain won’t spoil your holiday
Many people think that in September and October the country grinds to a halt because of the rain. Not true! It’s one of the best times to travel if you choose your regions well: you avoid the crowds and the country is incredibly green.
1. Sun and the Caribbean, the season’s best-kept secret
- The route
- Land in San José and head straight to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita, then push a little further to discover the culture and traditions of the Bribri community.
- What to do
- Rent a bike to ride along the coast, snorkel the Cahuita reef, visit a Bribri reserve to learn how they work cacao and natural medicine, cross paths with sloths and enjoy quiet turquoise beaches.
- Why it works
- While it rains elsewhere, the southern Caribbean is at its best: sunshine and a calm sea. It’s one of the driest, sunniest times on this coast.
2. The wild north: beaches and a volcano (northern Guanacaste and Curubandé)
- The route
- Pair northern beaches such as Playa Nacascolo (on the Papagayo peninsula) and Playa Potrero with the mountains of Curubandé.
- What to do
- Enjoy calm, crystal-clear water in the gulf, then head up to Curubandé to hike near Rincón de la Vieja, find hidden waterfalls and unwind in volcanic hot springs.
- Why it works
- It’s the driest region in the country: showers are usually shorter and further apart, which leaves you much more freedom to hike.
3. Ocean and adventure: the South Pacific (Uvita and Dominical)
- The route
- Head down to Dominical, Uvita and the Bahía Ballena area.
- What to do
- Catch the peak of the humpback whale season, walk Marino Ballena National Park in the morning and explore the local rivers and waterfalls.
- Why it works
- Mornings are often clear for outings, and showers tend to fall in the afternoon. Raúl’s advice: choose tours that include transport, so you don’t drive through heavy downpours on roads you don’t know.
You can absolutely mix these options. For two weeks, for example: start by chasing the sun in Guanacaste (Nacascolo and Curubandé), then head down to the South Pacific for the whales, or even slip in a stop at La Fortuna. You’ll get rain there, it’s a rainforest, but it’s lovely, especially in the hot springs.
Two important warnings for this time of year
- Flash floods (“cabezas de agua”)
- Near rivers, pools or waterfalls, be very careful: a flood caused by rain up in the mountains can arrive within seconds. If the water turns cloudy or it’s raining hard upstream, get out right away.
- Landslides
- Mountain roads (Cerro de la Muerte, Zurquí or back roads) can be hit by landslides or closures. Drive calmly, avoid driving at night in a big storm and check road conditions before you set off.
What to do when it rains?
- Unwind in volcanic hot springs, at Curubandé or La Fortuna
- Take a covered boat tour, for the whales at Uvita or in the mangroves
- Visit a trapiche or stop for coffee, to see how coffee or raw cane sugar is made
- Set off hiking at 6 a.m., while mornings stay clear
- Snorkel in sheltered spots, like Cahuita when the sea is calm
- Try rice and beans in Puerto Viejo or a traditional casado, out of the rain
- See the waterfalls at full flow, at Curubandé or in the South
- Wander through local markets and farmers’ fairs (“ferias”)
- Discover cacao with the Bribri, from bean to bar
They traveled with Raúl
« Pour notre 1 er voyage au Costa Rica Raul a été vraiment d’une aide précieuse. Il a su répondre à nos attentes et même plus! Il nous a indiqué des endroits magnifiques et il très réactif. Nous sommes partis pendant la saison des pluies et il nous a conseillé d’aller plutôt dans certaines régions où nous serons moins impactés par la pluie et heureusement que je lui ai fait confiance ! Merci encore d’avoir fait de ce voyage une si belle réussite. »
Translated from French: For our first trip to Costa Rica, Raul was truly a great help. He met our expectations and more! He pointed us to magnificent places and he’s very responsive. We went during the rainy season and he advised us to go to certain regions where we’d be less affected by the rain, and luckily I trusted him! Thanks again for making this trip such a success.
Want to do this trip your way?
Raúl goes over this itinerary with you and adapts it to your dates.
Raúl first published this itinerary on the Costa Rica comme un Tico Facebook page. Read the original post(opens in a new tab)