Costa Rica in July is wonderful. Even though it is in the rainy season, July offers opportunities to enjoy the country without as much concern of tropical storms or rains thanks to a mini dry season phenomenon.
July has also become a mini “high season” with many American and Canadian families on vacation, so you’ll want to read this article in preparation for your trip.
Here is what Costa Rica in July is like.
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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 ~520 CRC to 1 USD.
- Spanish is the main language.
- Costa Rica is 8-12 degrees from the equator.
If you’re looking to save some $$ on your trip, check out our Mytanfeet deals page! We partnered with a rental car company, hotels and tour operators to give discounts exclusively for our readers. Click here to enter our deals page.
Costa Rica in July Weather
Despite being in the middle of rainy season, July offers a short break from the rain with a phenomenon locally known as veranillo, or little summer. The weather dries up and the sun stays out as if it’s dry season.
Therefore, July is a fantastic month to visit Costa Rica if you don’t want to deal with the hardcore rains and potential tropical storms like in June, September or October but can only visit during the rainy season.
The veranillo is very convenient too, since July is a popular time for American and Canadian tourists, on summer vacation with their families.
The veranillo can vary from year to year on how dry it gets. It can also depend on how long it lasts, some years it may be the whole month, some years it may be just a week. Furthermore, some regions experience the veranillo more than others.
When it rains in July in Costa Rica, it’s normally in the late afternoons, evenings and overnights for short, intermittent bursts. Average temperatures do not really change in July, even if it doesn’t rain as much.
The Caribbean coast doesn’t enjoy much of a little summer like the rest of the country, in fact it’s more of a rainy month for that side.
Below are short descriptions of the weather in July for popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica.
Guanacaste and Nicoya Peninsula
The Guanacaste province, particularly the coast and the Nicoya Peninsula normally benefit the most from the little summer, which is a nice break as June can be a bit rainier.
July is lovely in these areas as everything is green and lush but with summer weather and less chances of getting caught in the rain.
That doesn’t mean it won’t ever rain in July however, so still come prepared. You will enjoy many beautiful sunny mornings!
The lower end of the Nicoya Peninsula does tend to get a bit more rain than Guanacaste and the northern part but you will still have dry weather.
Average day time temperatures are in the low 90s° F (32° C). Night time temperatures are around high 70s° F (25° C). Humidity levels around 75%. When it rains, it’ll most likely be in the evenings and over nights.
Central Valley
The Central Valley cities: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago also benefit from the mini summer. It’ll get drier and a tiny bit less humid with beautiful sunny mornings.
Although it may get cloudier in the afternoons, it may just stay cloudy, a little dark and dry thanks to the reduced rains of the mini summer.
The rains in the veranillo in the Central Valley normally arrive in short bursts in the late afternoons, evenings and overnights. If up in the mountains outside the Central Valley, the rains may come earlier.
Average day time temperatures are around mid 70s° – 80s° F (25-29° C). It cools down at night to around 60-65° F (15-18° C).
La Fortuna
The La Fortuna area can benefit from the little summer but as the tropical rainforest in the Northern Lowlands, sometimes it isn’t as apparent, sometimes it is.
Regardless, La Fortuna will still have heat, humidity, sun, clouds, rain, storms and everything in between in July.
Average day time temperatures are around mid to high 80s° F (29-30 C). Average night time temperatures are in the mid 70s° F (24° C). Humidity – high.
Jaco and Manuel Antonio (Central Pacific)
The Central Pacific coasts can enjoy a little summer but it may not be as obvious as the Northern Pacific coast. Rains may let up a bit but the tropical rainforests won’t stop them completely.
Expect high temperatures, sunny mornings and rainy afternoons in Jaco, Quepos and Manuel Antonio areas.
Average day time temperatures are in the low 90s° F (32° C). Night time temperatures are around mid 70s° F (24° C).
Costa Ballena and Osa Peninsula
The veranillo will bring beautiful party cloudy/sunny mornings in the Costa Ballena/South Pacific (Dominical, Uvita and Ojochal) and the Osa Peninsula like Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez. Afternoons, evenings and overnights can still have heavy to moderate rain.
Average temperatures are upper 80s° F (31° C) and average night time temperatures are around low to mid 70s° F (21-25° C).
Caribbean Coast (Tortuguero, Limon and Puerto Viejo)
In July, the Caribbean coasts (Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limon and Tortuguero) are enjoying a true rainy month. Temperatures do not really drop so expect it to be hot, humid and steamy.
You may get some clear mornings but don’t be surprised to have a rainy day with intermittent sun and dry skies.
Average day time temperatures in the mid to high 80s° F (29-30° C) and cools down at night to the low 70s° F (21° C).
Monteverde
The cloud forest towns in Monteverde tend to enjoy a bit of the little summer, but that doesn’t mean it won’t rain. Expect to experience a bit of everything: winds, cold breezes, drizzles, downpours, fog, cloudy days, thunder, lightning, rainbows and sun in Monteverde.
Your best bet would be around mid mornings and early afternoons, as you may wake up to intense cloud cover and drizzles and have your late afternoon coffee during a downpour.
Average day time temperatures are mid 70s° F (21° C). Night time temperatures are around low 60s° F (15° C).
Prices in Costa Rica in July
Costa Rica in July is not as an expensive month as the high tourism season December through April but it’s not as cheap as the lowest tourism months like June, September and October. You can find mid range rates and you can easily find reasonably priced hotels in all tourist destinations.
Flights can be quite expensive if you book late, as it is the summer vacation time for American, Canadians and Europeans. Don’t book your flight at the last minute, book your flights at the very least, 6 months out.
If you’re traveling with your family, you’ll be looking at spending $$$ for flights if you book too late. Plan early and get a travel credit card like the Chase Sapphire to collect points to use for reward travel.
Save more money by booking a car with our Costa Rica car rental discount and freebies and checking out our Costa Rica deals page for discounts on tours and hotels.
Crowds in July
Costa Rica in July is much more crowded than it used to be. It is still technically low season, but thanks to the veranillo and an increase of affordable flights from the USA and Canada, it’s actually become a mini high tourism season. Lots of families visit as a graduation present or for family reunions.
Furthermore, the Costa Rican public schools have vacation the first two weeks of July and the local families like to head to the coasts.
After mid July, the crowds go down quite a bit when the Costa Rican kids go back to school.
First half of July: expect crowds and lots of locals and foreigners at the beach and major tourist destinations. Latter half of July: expect to see mostly international tourists, less crowds.
If you want to avoid the July crowds, visit in August or September instead – but these months are rainier.
Trip Planning in July
It seems a lot of Americans and Canadians wait to book their summer vacation until last minute, around mid June due to the school calendar.
By then, they will find that availability is really limited for resorts, boutique hotels, private guides and car rentals.
Book early if you plan to visit Costa Rica in July. Car rental availability for large SUVS and passenger vans especially goes out fast. If you want to stay at very sought after hotel, resort or B&B, book it early, at least 3 months out.
For tours, unless you are booking specific private tours or guides, you don’t necessarily need to book in advance. You can wait and see how the weather is as well. We highly recommend to book all your excursions and activities in the morning as it tends to start raining in the afternoons.
Remember, it gets dark by 6 PM everyday and many parks and reserves close by 4-6 PM.
We would just recommend to book popular places like Manuel Antonio National Park, Tabacon Hot Spring Resort and Monteverde Cloud Forest in advance to secure your passes.
Avoid driving long routes at night, 2+ hours. If you have to, make sure to get a prepaid Costa Rican SIM card and download your maps offline in case you lose signal.
Best Things to Do in Costa Rica in July
Everything is open in July to enjoy.
Fishing
You can catch all sorts of fish in July in Costa Rica. July is great for mahi mahi, sailfish, marlin, snapper, yellow tail, tuna and Spanish mackerel.
Best places are Quepos, Flamingo, Papagayo Gulf, Drake Bay, Bahia de Paquera, Tamarindo, Playa Herradura and Puerto Jimenez.
Surfing
July brings some big swells on the Pacific coast. The South Pacific coast can get some big waves, the Northern Pacific gets swells too but a tad milder for the serious surfers looking to score.
White Water Rafting
In July, rivers have filled back up to bring some exciting thrills on the raft. Raft down the Pacuare River for Class 3, 4 and 4+, Naranjo River for Class 3 and 4 and is only operable in rainy season, Savegre River for Class 2 and 3, Tenorio River for Class 2 and 3 or Sarapiqui River for Class 3.
July is a great time for rafting down the rivers on the North Pacific side thanks to little summer (Tenorio), so less chances of floods or storms.
The Caribbean side tends to rain more so the Pacuare and Sarapiqui River may have chances of being too rough.
Hiking
Lace up your hiking shoes to trek through the forests and see waterfalls, viewpoints, rivers and other places of interest.
Best to go early in the morning for the best weather conditions and always stay on the path. Make sure to bring proper gear.
Farm to Table Cooking Classes
For afternoon activities, a cooking class is very fun and mostly indoors so you won’t have to get that wet.
We love the farm to table cooking class in La Fortuna (the entire cooking part is under roof, the only outdoor portion is the farm tour) or the one in Hacienda El Viejo which also offers a nice safari river boat ride and an indoor rum tour.
As it’s in the middle ish part of rainy season, many fruit trees are in full production. Don’t forget to try some delicious tropical fruit while you’re here and browse through a local farmer’s market.
Museums
If you’re in San Jose, go for a stroll at La Sabana Park in the morning while it’s still dry and then visit a museum or two in the afternoon.
You can also tour the National Theater to see the country’s cultural gem or wander the Central Market to sample some yummy Costa Rican food and snacks.
Turtle and Humpback Whale Season Starting
July marks the beginning of the Green sea turtle nesting season in Tortuguero. Although it’s a bit wetter on the Caribbean coast, there are chances to see the first wave of nesting Green sea turtles in Tortuguero.
In the latter half of the month, the turtle nestings at other sites like Ostional Wildlife Refuge begin.
Likewise, July marks the beginning of the second humpback whale season in Costa Rica. It’s not quite as consistent though. You will have better luck during the latter half of the month.
Since this is the very beginning, it’s not as much of a guarantee to see them if you were to visit in August or September, but there is a chance.
Hot Springs
Relaxing in the thermal hot springs in the rainy season is the best. Check out the hot springs in La Fortuna, Guanacaste (Borinquen, Rio Perdido, Hacienda Guachipelin, Las Hornillas, Buena Vista) or Hacienda Orosi in Cartago for a good, long, hot soothing soak.
Ziplining
If you go ziplining, go in the morning for best chances of good, clear weather. It won’t be as hot to zipline either.
The views of the zipline tours in Guanacaste are the best during rainy season. Instead of the dry desert you see in the months of January through April, you’ll see green mountains instead.
For an epic zipline in Guanacaste, check out Diamante Eco Adventure Park for awesome views and a full day of fun and culture. As it’s located right in the Papagayo Gulf, chances are you will get great weather.
Canyoning (Waterfall Rappelling)
When rivers and waterfalls are fuller, canyoning is more fun! Hop down full flowing waterfalls deep in the rainforest.
Opt for the morning tour to avoid heavy rains in the afternoon if you will be canyoning in La Fortuna.
Holidays
Día de Guanacaste (July 25th): The day that the Guanacaste province became part of Costa Rica, formerly part of Guanacaste.
Everywhere in Guanacaste will be horse parades, parades, parties, food, drink, fireworks, bull runs and music.
The biggest local parties are in Liberia and Santa Cruz, but you can find them in Brasilito, Villarreal, 27 de Abril and all throughout Guanacaste on that day.
What to Pack for Your July Trip to 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.
Lightweight clothes that dry fast and wick away sweat are absolutely necessary. Forgo jeans, thick sweatpants or cotton shirts as you’ll just get super hot, sticky and sweaty, unless you plan to visit very high elevation areas like Chirripo, Dota, or Poas.
MUST BRING: Waterproof rain jacket or rain shell, insulated water bottle, dry bag, waterproof backpack or backpack rain cover, mosquito repellent, hat, reef friendly sunscreen, poncho, closed toed hiking sandals or water shoes for light water activities, board shorts, swimsuits, flip flops, hair dryer.
If you aren’t able to do laundry while you’re here, we recommend to bring a dedicated dirty clothes plastic bag with a secure closure. Also pack some fresh fragrance sachets in your luggage to help with the sweaty smell.
Check our full Costa Rica packing list and packing list for rainy season.
Itineraries
2 week coast to coast itinerary
13 days in Costa Rica itinerary (no car)
Costa Rica 10 day waterfall itinerary
10 day coast to coast Costa Rica itinerary
one week Costa Rica Central and South Pacific itinerary
Costa Rica By Months
January
February
March
April
May
June
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 and our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
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