January is a fantastic time to visit Costa Rica as Christmas crowds have disappeared, everything is drying up and high season is in full swing. In this post, you’ll learn what January in Costa Rica is like and why it’s a wonderful time to see 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 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.
January in Costa Rica Weather
First and foremost, the weather. Average day time and night time temperatures do not vary greatly throughout the year in Costa Rica, so temperatures in January won’t be drastically different the rest of the months.
Costa Rica experiences two tropical seasons: dry and rainy. Dry season is generally December through April, rainy is generally May through November. January is the second month of dry season so most of the country is drying up with high temperatures, sunny blue skies and minimal rain.
Since the first month of dry season, December, is more like a transition month, dry season really starts picking up in January and is truly the first dry month in Costa Rica. In January, the northern winds come in, giving a nice, continuous breeze.
The exception is the Caribbean coast, which does not strictly follow the tropical seasons and has their own climate. More information below.
Below are short descriptions of weather in January for popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica.
Guanacaste and Nicoya Peninsula
Dry tropical areas such as the Guanacaste coast (La Cruz, Papagayo Peninsula, Tamarindo, Samara, Nosara) and Nicoya Peninsula (Montezuma, Tambor, Santa Teresa) will see their last hard rains around end of November/beginning of December so don’t expect any rain in January.
By end of January, dry forest covered mountains start turning yellow and bare and humidity levels decrease greatly. Sun is out bright and strong during the day with constant winds, evenings are warm and sultry.
Average day time temperatures are 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35°Celsius) and average night time temperatures are 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26° Celsius).
If you visit the higher elevation areas in the Guanacaste province such as Tilaran, Mirvalles, Nuevo Arenal and around the Bijagua areas, they may still see some rain.
Central Valley
The GAM (San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago) has lovely weather in January with warm sunny days, fresh air, constant breezes and cozy nights. Average day time temperatures are 80° F (27° C) and average night time temperatures are 65° F (18° C). If you’re up in the high mountains of the Central Valley, expect much cooler temperatures.
La Fortuna
La Fortuna sits in the Northern Lowlands, part of the tropical rainforest which has the possibility to still rain randomly. It could be intermittent sprinkles or ten minute downpours in the late afternoons and evenings.
Average day time temperatures are 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29° Celsius) and average night time temperatures are 72° Fahrenheit (22° Celsius). Humidity levels are around 60%.
Jaco, Manuel Antonio
Jaco and Manuel Antonio weather is similar to La Fortuna as this area is also tropical rainforest. The coast does tend to be a tad hotter, so daytime is more around 88° F (31° C) but humidity level are very similar. If it rains, it will be most likely at night and for short bursts. Humidity levels around 60%.
Costa Ballena and Osa Peninsula
These areas, Costa Ballena (Dominical, Uvita and Ojochal) and Osa Peninsula (Drake Bay, Matapalo, Carate and Puerto Jimenez) are tropical rainforest areas, so there are possibilities of intermittent rain in January still. Average day time temperatures are 90° F (32° C) and average night time temperatures are 80° F (27° C). Humidity levels around 60%.
Monteverde
Monteverde, the mountain town in the Tilaran Mountain Range experiences high winds, intermittent sprinkles, fresh crisp air and comfortable nights in January. It can still sprinkle but generally for short periods of time and then the bright rainbows come out (hence the nickname, town of rainbows). Average day time temperatures are 72° Fahrenheit (22° Celsius) and average night time temperatures are 60° Fahreinehit (16 C). Low humidity.
Caribbean (Tortuguero, Limon and Puerto Viejo)
The Caribbean coast (Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limon and Tortuguero) tends to follow a different weather pattern than the rest of Costa Rica. January can still have some days of hard rain, so you may run into storms and wet days. Average day time temperatures are 90° F (32° F) and average night time temperatures are low 70s° F (21° C). Humidity levels around 60%.
Prices in January in Costa Rica
As January is the start of the normal high tourism season, prices are high but not as high as peak season. Peak season is the week of Christmas and New Years, where hotel nights on December 24-31st are easily twice as much as normal times and can have a 3 night minimum. But after the first few days of January, prices go back down to normal high season prices.
Airfare usually goes down after the first week of January. I have found relatively cheap flights from Seattle to Costa Rica mid to end of January (~$500 USD basic economy).
Crowds in January in Costa Rica
The first week of January is generally still very busy due to lingering Christmas and New Years crowds. By the second week of January, it will have gone back to normal high season crowds.
January is the second month of the Costa Rica schools’ summer vacation so there will be lots of families on vacation. Weekends are generally very busy at popular national parks and beaches, with local families enjoying their days off. Purchase your national park tickets early if required, such as Tenorio Volcano National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park.
Best Things to Do in January in Costa Rica
January is a great month to experience all Costa Rica has to offer in terms of culture, nature, adventure and wildlife. Here are some of the best things to do in January in Costa Rica.
Surfing
The surf in January is fairly consistent. The Pacific Northwest coast (Guanacaste) picks up NW swells so beaches like Tamarindo, Playa Langosta, Playa Grande, Playa Negra and Playa Avellanas have days where the waves are firing. The famous Witch’s Rock (Roca Bruja) can have good waves when there is a north swell, otherwise it’s generally small in January. For the highly experienced, big wave chaser, the Caribbean coast spot Salsa Brava can boast some of the heaviest barrels and reef breaks.
Water temperature is nice and warm, in the high 70s to low 80s F ( 25-28°C).
If you’re not into surfing, no worries! Try to visit many beaches as it’s one of the best things to do in January in Costa Rica. Take a walk, watch the sunset, play in the waters, boogie board and get your tan on (safely, because the sun is strong so make sure to apply and reapply reef safe sunscreen).
Hiking
January is a great time to visit national parks and private reserves for a hike or two thanks to the drier weather. Landscapes are still somewhat green in dry tropical forests from the last rains so it doesn’t look too arid and desert like.
Great options are Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Barra Honda National Park, Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park and Corcovado National Park. Make sure to bring good sun protection like a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, mosquito repellent and an insulated water bottle to have cold water.
White Water Rafting
As rivers will still be full from the rainy season, white water rafting is very good in January. Raft down pristine rivers like Pacuare River Class 3, 4 and 4+ rapids, Sarapiqui River Class 3 and 4, Savegre River Class 2 and 3 and Tenorio River Class 3 and 4.
Coffee Tours
January is at the peak of the coffee harvesting season in Costa Rica, so it’s a fantastic time for a coffee plantation tour. You’ll be able to see the coffee machine working at its peak, with truckloads of cherries being processed every hour. The best coffee tours in the Central Valley in Alajuela, San Jose and Heredia as that is where the biggest coffee plantations are. Monteverde, Santa Maria de Dota and Zona de los Santos are also fantastic coffee places.
Wildlife
January is the start and end of several wildlife seasons in Costa Rica. First, January is a bit after the start of the Northern Hemisphere humpback whale season in Costa Rica. If you’re in the Central or South Pacific, you can take a whale watching tour from Uvita for good chances to see humpback whales and dolphins.
Second, January is the end of the arribadas, or mass nesting of Olive Ridley sea turtles on Playa Ostional in Ostional Wildlife Refuge. The arribada in January has diminished considerably compared to the previous months, but there are still chances to see nesting mothers and baby turtles hatching. For leatherback turtles, January is the start of their nesting season in Marino Las Baulas National Park (sadly their numbers have decreased greatly and it’s not super common to see them anymore).
Water clarity in January greatly improves due to the disappearance of torrential rains, run off and storms. Snorkeling and scuba diving are great, with an abundance of colorful tropical fish and other marine life like turtles, rays and sharks to be seen. Snorkeling at Tortuga Island, Isla Caño Reserve, Gulf of Papagayo and Catalinas Islands are wonderful.
As January is winter up north, the migrating birds will be in Costa Rica. It’s a fantastic time to see these million mile fliers as well as other river birds. Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and Palo Verde National Park are two excellent places for safari boat rides to see birds and other wildlife.
Interested in booking tours like the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Tortuga Island cruise or other activities? Check out our Costa Rica deals and discounts to save some $$ on your excursions.
Local Festivals and Parties
Costa Ricans like to party and they do by throwing fiestas civicas which are the local parties. Nearly all towns, especially in rural areas, have local parties and it’s a really fun way to immerse yourself into Costa Rican culture.
Local parties normally have the typical party activities: street food, rides and games. Costa Rican local parties also have bull riding. They do not partake in bullfights like Mexico or Spain, rather they let a bull loose in a stadium and everyone runs around from it. They’ll do gimmicks like tying money to the bull horns and everyone will try to grab it. They also do bull riding and they’ll have competitions.
Another aspect of local parties are the topes which are the horse parades. This is very common in the Guanacaste province as this is the land of the Costa Rican cowboys. Hundreds of local dress up in cowboy flair and parade around their best horses. To cool off during the hot day, they drink lots of ice cold Costa Rican beer.
Notable Festivals and Days in January in Costa Rica
New Years Day: Generally outside with family, enjoying the last days before going back to work. Or nursing the hangover from the countdown the night before.
Palmares: The local parties of the town of Palmares are famous and are the biggest in the country, attracting nearly 1 million visitors (out of a total country population of 5.2 million). They happen every second Friday in January for around 10 days.
Santa Cruz: Known as the town of folklore, local parties in Santa Cruz get more popular year after year. You’ll see the proud Guanacasteco cowboys of all ages braving the bulls, showing off their steeds and throwing back Chiliguaro shots like there’s no tomorrow.
Alajuelita January 15: This religious festival pays homage to the Black Christ of Esquipulas. This pilgrimage is very important to dedicated Catholics as Catholicism is the main religion of Costa Rica.
Other Things to Know About January in Costa Rica
- Road conditions are usually not great during this month after they have suffered through several months of rain and storms. Although some remote/rural places may only need a sedan or high clearance car in dry season, check with your host if a 4wd will be required/recommended instead due to the worsened road condition. Check our renting a car in Costa Rica tips and get our Costa Rica car rental discount here!
- Waterfalls are still very full so it’s a great time to do a waterfall tour. However, some places in the tropical rainforest that may still rain in January, may still have lots of run off and be a murky brown color. For example, Rio Celeste Waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park may be more green/brown than the beautiful sky blue color if it has been raining as that area can still rain in January.
- It is generally quite windy in January so it may not be the best time for a catamaran or sailing tour if you are prone to seasickness. Afternoons are normally windier than mornings. If it is too windy, activities like ziplining may be cancelled due to safety concerns.
- January is not the cheapest time to travel in Costa Rica but it is the most lively. Everything is open, everyone is excited for the high tourism season once more and it is easy to find tours to join if you’re a solo traveler.
January is excellent time to visit Costa Rica for fun, festivities, adventure, relaxation and an escape from the start of the Northern Hemisphere winters. Soak up all the sun in Costa Rica you need to make it through the rest of the winter days back home.
What to Pack for Your January Vacation in Costa Rica
Essentials: Valid passport, valid drivers license if you plan to rent a car, credit card with no foreign transaction fee, travel insurance, medicines
Must brings: Sunscreen (SPF 30 and higher), after sun gel, mosquito repellent, insulated water bottle, microfiber towel, reusable shopping bags, hair ties, swimsuits, sandals, sunglasses, hat, small first aid kit, light weight water proof rain jacket if visiting rain forest areas, dry fast, sweat wicking clothes and closed toed shoes for activities.
Get our full Costa Rica packing list here.
Itineraries
Ready to plan your trip to Costa Rica in January? Check out our recommended itineraries which will be great for January!
8 Days Itinerary: Playas del Coco and La Fortuna. Fly in/out of LIR Airport.
11 Days Itinerary: La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio
14 Days Itinerary: La Fortuna, Monteverde, Santa Teresa and Playas del Coco
Other Months
Click the links below to see what Costa Rica in other months are like.
February
March
April
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.
- 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.
Marian Meyer says
Have gone once (April 2023) and cannot wait to go back… visited Santa Teresa and Nosara. Looking forward to your eBook!