Costa Rica in October: Weather and Travel Tips
There was a time when a tour to Costa Rica in October was completely written off by some. While this is true for some parts of the country, it does not apply to all regions. Therefore, even as the Pacific coast is battered by heavy rains at this time of year, the country’s Caribbean coast is mostly dry and sunny. This means that traveling to Costa Rica in October is not just possible, but also worth it.
- Sanjay Sola
- From USA
Costa Rica Weather in October
Areas such as the Osa Peninsula on Costa Rica’s west coast receive their largest volumes of rain in October, measuring up to 800mm, which leads to the closure of roads and footpaths. However, the predominant weather conditions on the Caribbean coast of the country are high temperatures and clear skies. You will encounter some rain, but it comes and goes in the form of afternoon showers experienced right across the tropics. Temperatures here average 30°C, making it the perfect time to hit the beach.
Our guide to the best time to visit Costa Rica has more information.
Weather in Costa Rica in October - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 76 | 77 | 79 | 79 | 76 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 72 | 74 | 74 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 58 | 58 | 58 | 61 | 63 | 63 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 61 | 59 | 58 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 32 | 26 | 28 | 100 | 369 | 378 | 301 | 339 | 344 | 438 | 165 | 65 |
| Sep | Oct | Nov | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 23 | 22 | 23 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 16 | 16 | 15 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 74 | 72 | 74 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 61 | 61 | 59 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 344 | 438 | 165 |
Why Visit Costa Rica in October
Traveling to Costa Rica in October offers a great balance between bucket-list attractions and low-season prices. So whether you plan to trek through protected rainforests in search of sloths or splash about in the warm shallows, visiting Costa Rica in October can be a no-brainer. Below are more reasons why.
- Lesser crowds: If you are looking to head into Costa Rica’s national parks, you will find them at their quietest in October, leaving you with experiences you will never forget.
- Turtle-nesting season: Sea turtles arrive on the beaches of Tortuguero National Park throughout October to lay their eggs at night. This is something you do not want to miss.
- Better rates: Low-season prices even in the Caribbean means that a trip to Costa Rica in October can be cheaper than at other times of year in terms of accommodation, flights, and activities.
- Limon Festival: October sees the arrival of the annual fiesta in Limon in the form of street parades and parties. Halloween, which is celebrated at the end of the month, is also gaining traction in the country.
Where to go and what to do
Given its long coastline along the Caribbean and weather conditions elsewhere in the country, you will want to focus your attention on the country’s east during your trip to Costa Rica in October. Areas known for their excellent beaches include Limon and Puerto Viejo de la Talamanca, where jungles sweep down to light-colored sands largely free of crowds. Accept the rare chance to do nothing but enjoy the surroundings, or dip a toe in a sea famous for its warmth, cleanliness, and snorkeling opportunities.
Set sail for Tortuguero National Park, whose waterways are entirely inaccessible by road and whose forests teem with everything from manatees and jaguars to caimans. Cahuita National Park also offers extraordinary hiking and snorkeling opportunities as a way of revealing its diversity of natural treasures. To plan your perfect trip, read our travel guide on how many days to spend in Costa Rica.
Although October is part of the country’s low season and some of the countries are closed off due to rains, you can still have an amazing vacation in Costa Rica in October by opting to discover its Caribbean coast. From jungles that are biodiversity hotspots to beaches that welcome sun-worshippers by day and sea turtles by night, there is still a huge array of things to do in Costa Rica in October!
Contact our local travel experts today to plan your custom trip to Costa Rica, or browse through our Costa Rica tours in October instead.
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