April is a great month to visit Costa Rica. Being the last month of the tropical dry season, it is hot, hot, hot. If Holy Week (Semana Santa/Easter) falls in April, expect lots of crowds, lines and traffic. Since Holy Week is usually the first or second week of April, crowds start thinning out a good amount by the end of the month. Sometimes Holy Week falls in March, in which that week will be extremely crowded with the addition of spring breakers. In that scenario, April will be less busy (like 2024, Holy Week was the last week of March so April was much quieter).
In this post, you’ll learn more about April in Costa Rica.
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Costa Rica Quick Facts
- Sunrise and sunset is roughly the same all year round, with a difference of around 15 minutes. Sunrise is generally 6 AM with first light around 530 AM and sunset is 530 PM, dark by 6 PM.
- Costa Rica uses 110 V and drives on the right hand side of the road.
- Local currency is called the colón. Exchange rate ~500 CRC to 1 USD.
- Spanish is the main language.
- Costa Rica is 8-12 degrees from the equator.
April in Costa Rica Weather
Costa Rica’s weather in April varies depending on the region, but generally, it is the last month of dry season for much of the country. It becomes the transitional period between the dry and rainy seasons around the middle to the end of April for most of the country.
During this time, you might experience occasional showers in the Central Valley, Central Pacific, South Pacific and Northern Lowlands at the end of April, normally in the evenings or overnight. On the Caribbean coast, which follows their own weather pattern separate from the rest of the country, April is still hot and humid with the possibilities of intermittent rains.
Below are short descriptions of the weather in April for popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica.
Guanacaste and Nicoya Peninsula
While other parts of the country like the South Pacific and Central Valley may start seeing a bit of rain around the end of April, the Guanacaste coast and Nicoya Peninsula are still thirsty. On a rare occasion, there may be a short burst of rain at the very end of April, but normally these regions do not start their proper rainy season until a little later.
It is at its driest in April in Guanacaste the Nicoya Peninsula. Rivers and waterfalls are at their lowest levels, tropical dry forest covered mountains are at their driest and yellowest and it’s just hot and dry. Average day time temperatures are 95°F (35° C) and night time temperatures 80° F (27° C).
Central Valley
The beginning of April still has lovely weather in the Central Valley. The cities, San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago usually starts getting short downpours towards the middle to end of the month. This makes it very humid and day time temperatures do not go down significantly despite the rain, but it gets cooler at night. If you are up in the mountains at high elevation levels like 1500 meters (~5000 feet), then it does get significantly colder (50s° F or 10° C).
Average day time temperatures are mid 70s° – 80s° F (25-29° C) and 60-65° F (15-18° C) at night. If it rains, it’s usually in the late afternoon and at night.
La Fortuna
The La Fortuna area has great weather in April. Hot, humid and cloudy but dry skies until about the end of April. At that time, a random rainfall is not a rare occurrence but you’ll still enjoy sunny skies and hot weather. Average day time temperatures are mid 80s° F (29 C) and night time temperatures are low 70s° F (21° C) but the high humidity factor will make it feel even hotter.
Jaco and Manuel Antonio (Central Pacific)
Jaco, Manuel Antonio and Quepos have very similar weather. It’s still hot and humid and normally start getting some sporadic rain showers around mid April. This can last anywhere from 5-15 minutes, usually in the evenings or overnight. Despite the rain, temperatures stay high and humidity also increases a bit. Average day time temperatures are upper 80s° to low 90s° F (31 – 33° C) and average night time temperatures are around low to mid 70s° F (21-25° C).
Mornings and afternoons are still very dry, clear and sunny and the rains do not occur every day.
Costa Ballena and Osa Peninsula
Similar weather pattern as the Central Pacific, but the South Pacific, Osa Peninsula and Costa Ballena (Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal) may see a tad bit more rainfall. Average temperatures similar to Jaco and Manuel Antonio, upper 80s° to low 90s° F (31 – 33° C) and average night time temperatures are around mid 70s° F (25° C). Humidity levels high.
Caribbean Coast (Tortuguero, Limon and Puerto Viejo)
The Caribbean coast (Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limon and Tortuguero) has its own climate, so it has the possibilities to rain in April, but it’s not quite as wet. Still high temperatures in the high 80s° (31-32° C) and cools down at night to around low 70s° (21° C).
Monteverde
April in Monteverde means plenty of spring showers and night time rain. Monteverde sits high up in the mountains, so it can can start getting on-off rain by around mid April. Temperatures don’t decrease greatly, you can still have lovely fresh mountain weather with cloudy but dry skies during the day and cool temperatures at night.
Average temperatures are high 70s° F (25° C) in the day time and low 60s° F (15° C) in the night time. Can get a bit colder at night if it rains in the late afternoons or evenings.
Prices in April in Costa Rica
If Holy Week (Semana Santa and Easter) is in April, expect high prices as this week is “peak tourism season” and hotels increase their prices by 30-40%. Many luxury hotels and sought out vacation rentals will book up months beforehand and some places may require a 2-4 night minimum with a stricter cancellation policy.
Car rentals also are very expensive if Holy Week is in April and availability is extremely limited. If you wait until too late, you may not get the car you want or at the best price, or even the best car rental company. Tour prices do not change in April.
Flights are generally not cheap in April. There may be flash sales or discounted rates for the end of the month. Get a travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire and start collecting travel points to use if you can only travel in April during Holy Week.
If you plan to visit Costa Rica at the end of April, prices go back down to normal rates and availability opens up greatly. After Holy Week, things go back to normal.
Trip Planning for April in Costa Rica
April is usually just as busy as March if Holy Week falls in April. However, since Holy Week is usually the first or second week, after mid April, the amount of crowds decreases greatly. There is a bit of a lull as the country goes into a low tourism season before the North American and European summer vacationers come (around beginning to mid June until beginning of August).
End of April is a fantastic time to visit Costa Rica if you do not want to get caught up in spring break crowds. You can be much more flexible in booking things later and not having to worry about places selling out.
In 2024, Holy Week was the last week of March so April was fairly quiet and calm and it felt like we entered the “low” season early. No crazy crowds at any time during that month. In 2023, Holy Week was the first week of April so the high tourism season didn’t die down until mid April.
If Holy Week is in April and you are visiting right around that time, book your hotels, tours, car rentals and shuttles as soon as possible. Nearly the entire country goes on vacation for Holy Week so you’ll have to compete not only with international tourists, but local tourists for hotels and activities. Many popular places like Tabacon Hot Springs Resort, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve and Manuel Antonio National Park sell out weeks in advance during Holy Week.
If you plan to visit Costa Rica in April, make sure to check what week Holy Week falls on that year.
Best Things to Do in April in Costa Rica
April 11 – Juan Santamaria Day
This is one of the most important holidays in Costa Rica, honoring a soldier who stopped the United States army from taking over Central America back in 1856. Government institutions close but there are usually parades and fireworks in the capital city of San Jose.
Easter
If you happen to visit during Easter and would like to celebrate in Costa Rica, just find the closest church near where you will be. There will be something happening like mass and parades on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Or if you want to celebrate another way, head to the beach to partake in beach bonfires, concerts, live music, raves and dancing.
Birdwatching
April is a great time to see the Resplendant Quetzals. Their mating time is from February – July in the cloud forests. The migratory birds are on their last month or so in Costa Rica, before making the journey up north for the summer. Take a boat ride in Palo Verde National Park, Damas Island Mangrove, Sierpe Mangroves, Tortuguero National Park or Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge to spot them before they leave.
Wildlife Watching
You can see a good amount of wildlife in April. Monkeys, sloths, butterflies, hummingbirds, toucans, raccoons, bats, they’re all still out and about in April.
Remember the best way to see wildlife is to go on a guided walk through a private reserve or national park. Humpback whale watching ends right around the beginning of April so although there are still tiny chances to see them, it’s much slimmer compared to February and March.
Ziplining
Fly through the forest canopy on an exciting ziplining tour. Costa Rica is famous for ziplining, with tours in many places throughout the country. You can choose to fly through the cloud forest, rainforest or dry tropical forest over rivers, through canyons and over the treetops. It’s usually less windy in April but we still recommend to zipline in the early mornings for the best weather.
Surfing
If you’re a beginner or first timer, April is an ideal time to take a lesson. There is normally less wind and smaller waves in the Pacific before the rainy season swells kick in.
Beaches
It’s always a good time to visit the beach in Costa Rica! Just know that if you’re visiting during Holy Week (mostly Friday through Sunday) to popular beach towns like Tamarindo, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Santa Teresa, Samara, Playas del Coco, Uvita or even “lesser” known beaches like Playa Iguanita, Playa Mina, Playa Calzon de Pobre, Playa Agujas, Playa Herradura, it’s going to be PACKED.
By end of April, it’s much calmer. We like to visit beaches in the morning on a weekday as it’s much more tranquil and quiet.
Other Things to Know About April in Costa Rica
- During Holy Week, it is not permitted to sell alcohol Thursday to Sunday. This does not apply to touristic areas.
- Mid to end of April is a transition time from dry to rain. Come prepared for the start of rainy season if you plan to visit the rainforest or high mountains.
- Rivers and waterfalls will be at the smallest so generally not the best time to go tubing or white water rafting. Some rivers, such as the Naranjo River does not operate until May and ends in December.
- In the Guanacaste and Nicoya Peninsula areas, there may be water shortages. If you’re staying at a vacation rental, check with your host if they will have any planned water cut offs during your stay.
What to Pack for Your April Vacation in Costa Rica
Essentials: Valid original passport, valid original drivers license if you plan to rent a car, credit card with no foreign transaction fee, travel insurance, medicines.
MUST BRING: Sunscreen (SPF 30 and higher), after sun gel, mosquito repellent, insulated water bottle, microfiber towel, lightweight rainjacket or rain shell, waterproof backpack or backpack cover, reusable shopping bags, swimsuits, sandals, sunglasses, hat, small first aid kit, dry fast and sweat wicking clothes and closed toed shoes for activities.
Get our full Costa Rica packing list here.
Itineraries
Check out our itineraries below that we recommend for April.
One week Central and South Pacific: Jaco, Manuel Antonio and Uvita
Two Weeks: Tamarindo, Monteverde, Bijagua and Rincon de la Vieja
13 days: Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna and Monteverde
11 Days: La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio
7/8 Days for Families: La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio + Samara and Bijagua
8 Days: La Fortuna and Playas del Coco
Costa Rica By Months
Read what Costa Rica is like in other months.
January
February
March
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica. Get 10% off your Airalo eSIM package with our promo code “mytanfeet”
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels. Save more money with our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
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