If you’re visiting Costa Rica during rainy season (read our post 6 reasons you should visit Costa Rica in the rainy season), the most important thing about preparing for your trip is to pack properly. You don’t want to get caught in a sudden downpour with nothing to wear except shorts and tank tops up in the mountains. Or get all your only pair of tennis shoes sopping wet and muddy after a hike!
So when you are packing for your trip to Costa Rica in the rainy season, you need to come prepared as the weather changes drastically throughout the country. Here is our rainy season packing list for Costa Rica.
What’s rainy season like in Costa Rica?
First, rainy season for most of the country is from beginning of May to beginning of December. However, it’s tropical weather so it can start a little sooner or end a little later so if you’re visiting mid April or mid December, still be aware that it may rain. The peak rainy season months for most of the country is October and November. September is also fairly rainy as well.
You can get idea of how hard it rains in Costa Rica in this video. This was taken in Playas del Coco in Guanacaste in May.
Rainy season in different parts of Costa Rica
- Caribbean side (Puerto Viejo, Limon, Tortuguero): this area doesn’t follow the straight May-November rainy season in Costa Rica. It actually rains throughout the year with October being the driest month. June and November are usually the rainiest months on that side.
- Guanacaste (Tamarindo, Gulf of Papagayo, Samara, Santa Teresa): this is is the driest area. It generally doesn’t start raining hard and consistently until July/August with few showers and sprinkles in April, May and June. Starts getting cloudy in the afternoons in May but doesn’t always rain. It is normally very dry in this area but in May after the first few showers, it gets very humid.
- Central Pacific (Jaco, Manuel Antonio): This area is humid and hot but it doesn’t get as humid as the South Pacific. Jaco and Manuel Antonio experience typical rainy season days with sunny mornings and cloudy/rainy afternoons. We had a mini-tornado pass through Jaco in September when we lived there a couple years ago!
- South Pacific (Dominical, Uvita and Ojochal): this area is hot and humid and can rain even in the dry season months. We visited Dominical in February where it poured for almost a week straight.
- Osa Peninsula: very humid and when it rains, it pours in the Osa. Mostly at night in rainy season but during September – November it can rain all day.
- Central Valley: This area follows the May-December rainy season fairly to the point and it rains hard in the city. It is common for the cities to flood.
- Arenal: Arenal follows a typical weather season. Prepare for rain, when we visited in July we got soaked hiking the national park. Another time in October, it was very cloudy almost every day but didn’t rain all the time, just at night.
- Monteverde: The locals jokingly call Monteverde’s weather rainy and less rainy. This area is up in the cloud forests so nearly 2000 meters in elevation and rains a lot in rainy season. We got poured on in November!
The most important thing to know about rainy season is that it’s spontaneous – it is a tropical country after all! It may be a beautiful sunny day out and then it’ll become dark and rainy in two seconds. Generally in rainy season, it’s sunny in the morning and rainy in the late afternoon and evening. During the peak rainy months of October and November, it may rain all day long.
Read more about Costa Rica’s weather.
Best Packing List for Rainy Season in Costa Rica
Many of these tips come from personal experience as we know first hand what it’s like to backpack the country in the rainiest month and hike up a volcano in the middle of a thunderstorm. Add these items to your normal packing list so you can have a safe and fun time in Costa Rica.
You can check out our complete guide to packing for Costa Rica or read on for our suggestions for packing for rainy season in Costa Rica.
The Beach (both Pacific and Caribbean)
If you’re visiting the beach, still pack summer clothes such as swimsuits, flip flops, tank tops, and shorts since it stays in the 90’s and high 80’s. It doesn’t get cold at night but it won’t hurt to throw in a pair of long pants or a light jacket as it does cool down when it rains. I still wear my normal dry season clothes everyday (shorts and tank tops) in the rainy season.
The South Pacific and Caribbean side are much more humid than the North Pacific, so bring some clothes that dry fast like Nike dri-fit. It’s difficult to hang dry clothes when it’s 90% humidity outside! I avoid jeans like the plague as it takes forever to dry.
Read our complete guide to packing for the beach in Costa Rica.
The Mountains and Cloud/Rain Forest
If you’re visiting the mountains or cloud forests, you will need to bring long sleeve shirts, a sweater, closed toe shoes, socks and long pants. It gets quite chilly at night and when it rains so you’ll want to come prepared. The coldest temperatures in Costa Rica have been recorded at 15F (9C) at Chirripo National Park in the Talamanca Mountain Range.
Up in the cloud forests like Monteverde, it can get down to the 60’s F at night during rainy season! So make sure to bring a warm jacket and long pants. Other mountain areas that get cold are up in Bijagua, the mountain area around Turrialba like Santa Cruz, San Isidro de Perez Zeledon and Nuevo Arenal by the lake.
Make sure to bring rain gear for Arenal. Down by La Fortuna, it is normal to have sunny mornings and rainy afternoons and if you’re staying in the Nuevo Arenal area, it can rain much more.
The City (Central Valley like San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago and Heredia)
The city doesn’t get as cold as in the high mountains but it can get fairly cool. Bring long pants, a sweater, socks and closed toe shoes. The Central Valley area has a pretty comfortable climate all year long and during rainy season, you can snuggle up with a blanket and cup of hot chocolate or tea. At night, it can get around the 60’s.
If you go up in the mountains of the Central Valley like the Poas or Irazu area, it gets very cold as you’re higher in elevation. If you’re up in the mountains of Grecia, San Ramon, Zarcero, Atenas, a sweatshirt is a must!
Packing for Rainy Season in Costa Rica: Important Items to Bring
In addition to your standard Costa Rica packing list, here are some very important items to add to your rainy season packing list for Costa Rica. This will help keep all your electronics and personal items from getting ruined especially if you are caught in a rainstorm.
Waterproof Backpack
I can’t stress enough how important it is to bring waterproof equipment. We lost a brand new Canon camera when we got caught in a rainstorm while hiking with a supposedly waterproof backpack. After that, we got a real waterproof backpack.
These are the items that we personally use and vouch for. We wrote a review for every single one of the waterproof items we have and tested them to see exactly how good they were.
- AquaQuest Biker Backpack – This is a great backpack that works perfect for day trips and outdoor activities. In fact, I took this backpack with me all over Asia in rainy season, storing my laptop and electronics inside.
- AquaQuest Tote Backpack – This backpack is the ultimate backpack for the beach, water activities, day trips, sight seeing, sports, you name it. Although catered more towards water activities like kayaking and boating, we’ve used this backpack in all sorts of situations and it’s been better than we could have asked for.
- AquaQuest Cell Phone Case – This case is great for any phone the size of an iPhone 5 or smaller. And in case you’re wondering if it’s actually waterproof, it is. You can watch our video to see it for yourself.
- AquaQuest Laptop Case – When we use our own laptop to test for how waterproof a case is and end up recommending it, you know it’s good.
Yeison and I don’t have specific waterproof backpacks for our laptops so we always bring this Camelbak Rain Cover. Super useful if you don’t want to spend the extra money for a waterproof backpack and the yellow is nice and bright, easy to see at night and hard to lose.
Plastic bags
Extremely useful when you need to wrap up dirty shoes, collect dirty or wet clothes or wrap your backpack or bag. I like to bring the big white garbage bags that have a drawstring and the normal grocery market bags for dirty clothes. Also great for extra protection for your electronics.
Water shoes/sandals
I stopped wearing hiking shoes in Costa Rica since my feet got so stuffy and uncomfortable with the heat and humidity. Unless you’re hiking Chirripo, Cerro Chato or Corcovado National Park, you don’t really need hiking shoes or boots.
Yeison and I both have a pair of KEEN sandals that we always wear when we’re doing outdoor adventures. During rainy season it is common for rainstorms to occur unexpectedly so having a high quality pair of hiking sandals makes it really easy to go from land to water and vice versa. Say goodbye to soggy socks!
For more advice, check our post on best shoes for Costa Rica.
Ziploc bags
Also useful for zipping up small electronics or things you don’t want to get wet, especially if you’re going boating or out in the water. Can never have too many, trust me.
Rain jacket
A must have item. When Yeison and I went to Arenal for the first time, neither of us had rain jackets and we got beyond soaked to the bone. Bring a quality rain jacket, windbreaker or shell because you’ll need it. Yeison and I both adore our North Face Venture jackets and as someone who grew up in Washington state, I know North Face is an excellent brand for rain.
Poncho
That being said, a poncho is not a bad idea either. In the beginning we got a couple ponchos at the dollar store but those were well, dollar quality. We ended up getting more heavy-duty ponchos like this one since we carry expensive camera equipment in our backpacks. Super useful if your rain jacket doesn’t fit over your backpack and your backpack isn’t waterproof!
Quick dry travel towel
I love love love my micro-fiber towel. It’s incredibly useful to have for any occasion, not just rain. Bring a light, quick dry towel so that when you do get caught in rainstorms, you can pull it out of your waterproof bag and dry off when under cover. Or use it as a beach towel and cover yourself when the rain starts. Or if you’re hiking in the national parks, use it to wipe the sweat off. So many uses for a microfiber travel towel.
Waterproof Map
You don’t want to be using your cell phone to look up Google Maps when it rains and it’s especially not useful if your paper one starts disintegrating from getting wet. Get a waterproof map instead.
A flashlight
During rainy season, it is common for the power to go out for hours at a time. At night, it can get a bit scary if you’re walking since not all street lights are brightly lit and it gets dark at 6 PM everyday. Bring a flashlight just in case and a headlamp is also super handy.
Any waterproof/water resistant clothing
I bought a pair of water resistant Columbia hiking pants and am obsessed with them. Yeison saw how much I liked them and he bought himself a pair for men. This pair isn’t the exact one we have but they are very similar, with the Omni-Shield built in.
It’s helpful to bring clothes that are quick dry or water resistant because majority of laundry places in Costa Rica don’t use dryers and it’ll be easier to dry when you’re at a hotel and don’t have access to a dryer. Clothes with that mildew humid smell is the worst!
Some optional items:
- Travel umbrella – An umbrella is pretty handy to have but it can be annoying to bring in your luggage since they take up space. Get a travel umbrella instead, they’re compact, fold up nicely and this one is particularly sturdy. You can also buy umbrellas at the supermarket.
- Rain boots – These take up a ton of room so it’s up to you if you want to bring them. You can buy cheap rain boots here if you plan to go to Tortuguero or Corcovado though, those trails are rugged and muddy in the rain! Some national parks or reserves have rain boots for rent. Tenorio Volcano National Park (Rio Celeste) has rain boots for rents for $5 as well as Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.
- Extra battery pack – This is particularly useful anyways but because the power can go out occasionally during rainy season, you want to bring an extra battery pack just in case your electronics are dying before it comes back on. I always have mine fully charged just in case.
- A packing organizer – We love our PACK which is a incredibly handy packing organizer that cuts our packing time down immensely. It’s great for backpackers because you don’t have to rifle through all your things to find something. Get 20% off the organizer here
When you’re visiting Costa Rica in rainy season, the most important thing to keep in mind when you are packing is to be prepared. Don’t ever take any chances because rain comes suddenly, unexpectedly, and it can come down hard.
And don’t forget your sunscreen and mosquito repellent. You will still need to protect yourself from the sun even if it’s cloudy out and mosquitoes are worse in rainy season.
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Hi Hannah, glad it is helpful 🙂 We have a whole section on traveling in Costa Rica you can read our tips here: Costa Rica. and Costa Rica travel tips.
This is so helpful ! im planning on traveling here next summer and i would like to avoid the rain as much as possible! do you have any other advice about going to costa rica i would love to know more!
This is a great article I’m going solo in June and had no idea how to pack or where to go. It was kind of just taking an adventure and see what to do once I arrive to San Jose
Hi Johanna, so glad it’s useful! Hope you have a great time in CR, sometimes not having a plan is the best plan 🙂
Hi
Ill be going next week may 7th. Ill be in the Manuel antonio area. Will it be raining a lot? Any recommendations? Also whats the best way to get from San jose airport? I have looked some Shuttle companies. Is there any you reccomend?
Hello! It will be cloudy and may rain – the Pacific coasts don’t quite get as much rain during this time as the Central Valley or mountains. May is our transition month so it may be super sunny in the morning and then get cloudier and rainy in the afternoon. Tropical weather is fickle so come prepared.
We work with Interbus a shared shuttle company and they have shuttles from San Jose to Manuel Antonio for $44 a person and all Mytanfeet readers get 10% off so it’ll be $49.60 a person. If you’d like to book the shuttles, just email us at mytanfeet@gmail.com your dates, hotel in Manuel Antonio and number of passengers. Interbus can’t pick up at the airport so all passengers needs to take a taxi to the Denny’s across the street and they usually have one in the morning and the afternoon.
I’m going in the June! Can you recommend other items to take
We’re going in March to the Guanacaste region. We want to be protected while hiking, repelling, tubing, snorkeling and surfing, so plan on wearing rash guards, long sleeves and convertible pant, but how about attire for just hanging out? Shorts, tanks, sun dresses, okay?
Yup! March is one of our hottest months in Guanacaste so you’re going to be HOT with long sleeves while hiking. Tank tops and shorts will be a lot more comfortable 🙂
Thank you so much for this! I had to repack after reading this article. My husband and I are going this week so it’s November… I’m hoping to see some rain!! 🙂
Hi Roxie! There is a good chance you’ll run into some rain, it’s been raining quite a bit this week and I’m glad the post is helpful! Have fun in CR! 🙂
Hi Sammi and Yeison!
Just wanted to let you guys know that if your statistics/page views has been sky high, I’m probably one of the reasons why haha. I’ve litterally read all of your posts on Costa Rica and the weather and packing lists and you water-proof-bags-tests and must brings and lists about the more expensive items and so much more – and I’ve probably read it all twice haha.
Your site is so helpful – I just wanted to send a virtual high five to you guys for creating valuable content which really helps people! Such a great job!
My reason for “stalking the archives” is that I’m planning to spend 6 months or maybe more in my gap year. The plan is to leave Denmark (my home) around september 1st and then spend a month with my friend Luis and his family – afterwards ding work away on hostels, probably in the Guanacaste area. Since I’ve read that September/October is very rainy I’m planning on getting myself one of the waterproof bags you tested – probably the biker version as it seems to me it is the most handy of them all. I’m actually really stoked that I get to experience Costa Rica during rainy season but also the dry season later on.
Okay.. quite a novel I wrote here – sorry. Just letting you know that you’re AWESOME!
Hugs and highfives
Laura
Hi Laura!
Aw I’m so glad you found the blog helpful! I’m sure you will have a great time in CR.
The Biker backpack is awesome, especially since it has a compartment for the laptop and it fits soo much stuff. I took that one all around Asia in rainy season with me and we still use it in CR.
The only thing I’ll say about the work away in hostels is that many businesses close during Sept/Oct (more October) or aren’t looking for extra help since it’s super low season. So just keep that in mind when looking for work aways 🙂
Anywhoo, thanks for the lovely comment and we are so glad that you like the blog, it’s our goal to help people travel in CR!
That biker bag is so on my wishlist!
Thanks for telling me about the hostels – that’s good to have in mind 🙂
Hi Janet, you can read more about the weather in CR here: Costa Rica weather. September is one of the worst months for rain for most of the country, but you can still get some sunny mornings and afternoons. Just remember to pack accordingly! We actually love CR in rainy season and it’s great for travelers as well, you can read why here: Why visit Costa Rica in rainy season
Oh dear,I was coming to cr next April but couldn’t wait that long,so
I shall be there in early September for two weeks ………..
now I’m worried that my holiday be all rain,coming from the UK
we’re used to it so I’m hoping for a little sunshine ,I’m hoping to
do a lots of trips not much sun bathing ,so I’m hoping the weather
won’t ruin my holiday ,plus I’m a solo traveler so a bit worried ……
Sammi, I love your website and advises! We are going to Arenal and Tamarindo 7/16-7/23/16. I have read that there is a little less rain during this time of July (“little summer”). Is that true, do we have any chance for any dry morning at Arenal? Thank you so much.
Right now it doesn’t really rain in the mornings, it usually rains in the late afternoon and evenings. Usually there is a little summer – but it’s never a guarantee since it’s the tropics. But lately that’s what it has been and I recommend looking up the location tags for Arenal on Instagram and Facebook so you can see real time photos of people who are there now. We’ve been to Arenal in July twice and it always rains in the evening and is pretty cloudy during the day but no rain until the afternoon.
Thanks for the post, it really helps me because I am going to Costa Rica soon and needed to get info on the net for what to pack in, and your post is very useful
You’re welcome! Hope you have a great time in CR!
Thank you for all of this detailed, practical information! We will be in Costa Rica at the end of this week and staying for almost two weeks. I have added things to my packing list based on your recommendations.
Hi Nan, you’re very welcome! Hope you have a great time in CR!
Great article! Thanks for all the great advice on your web site. My two sisters and I are coming to Costa Rica for the first time, from August 18th to the 30th. We’re going to Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, and know that we’ll run into rain in both places. But, now we’ll be prepared to hike in the rain and enjoy all of the beauty of your country. Thank you!
Hi Lee! I’m glad the site is useful. Have a wonderful time in Costa Rica!
I have to admit I was a little upset and scared when finding out that my bucketlist trip was during their rainy season; but we just got back and I am absolutely in love with CR – it rained mostly in the afternoons but the morning sun was wonderful. The Ticos are beautiful people, very pleasant. We really loved it and can’t wait to re-visit! will definitely be using your guide for our next trip. Thank you!
Hi Maria, I’m so glad that you had a wonderful time in CR despite the rain. The rain makes it a bit more magical in my opinion and you get to see Costa Rica in all its green glory! Thanks for reading and perhaps next time you will be able to visit in dry season to see the difference!
May is the part of the transition months from dry to rainy season so weather is unpredictable – its impossible to predict the weather since it can change in a second. You can read more about weather here: Costa Rica weather
It will probably still be pretty sunny and hot, Mmaybe with a shower or two randomly. I also suggest checking the instagram tag and place for Arenal so you can see current conditions 🙂
Your website has been so helpful! My husband and I are leaving for Costa Rica on May 16. We are staying in the Arenal volcanic region. Should we expect rain all day every day or sunshine in the mornings or something else entirely? Thank you so much!!
Hi,
Just wanted to say thank you so much for this blog! still reading through and found the packing list so helpful! My 6 year old son and I will be spending 3 months in Costa Rica from September to November, and haven’t done any travelling like this before, so really can’t say enough how helpful having a guide like this to follow is!
Hi Alyssa, we’re glad to hear it’s helpful 🙂 You will definitely need to come prepared Sept – Nov, those are the rainiest months so glad the post is useful! Hope you and your son have a great time!
Thank you so much for all the wonderful info! A couple of girlfriends and I are headed to CR the last week in June, and it has been on my to-do list for a couple of decades! Will follow your suggestions to the letter…
Hi Patty, you’re very welcome! Rainy season should be well under way in most places in CR. Have a great trip!
I forgot to check the box to be notified of follow-ups. Sorry.
The weather forecast always says thunderstorms, no matter what time of year it is, even in dry season. Tours are cancelled ahead if its a really bad thundestorm, its lightning, flooding, etc. But we are right now in the transition to dry season and Guanacaste has a longer dry season. Weather is unpredictable of course so I can’t say what it’s like in Tamarindo, but I’ve been checking the #tamarindo hashtag on Instagram and it looks beautiful.
Thank You!
Hi, we have a trip booked for next week to a beach resort near Tamarindo. It looks like there are going to be scattered thunderstorms all day, every day. We are worried that we will be stuck inside the hotel. Are the adventure tours cancelled in thunderstorms? We don’t mind some rain, but being stuck in the hotel for a week would drive us crazy. We can cancel our trip. Am I over-reacting?
Typically May to November though the Caribbean sides rains throughout the year. You can read more about weather here: Costa Rica weather
when is rainy season typically?
Wow- I just stumbled upon this websoite and how super helpful. My husband and I are traveling to CR from Sept 3-first week in October, are we screwed with only rain? We are staying in Playa Bueno
Hi Shante! Unfortunately October is the worst month of the year for rain so yes, be prepared for lots of rain!
Great tips to stay dry! These tips are also useful for visitors traveling to other tropical countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, etc.
Thanks! Yeah definitely, any tropical country or place that experiences the dry/wet seasons.
Thank you so much for all of the helpful information. We are looking at an extremely last minute trip out tomorrow through 6/23 but the weather looks awful. It’s a little intimidating to travel from the States and put out the money with worry of rain all day every day. Would you say it’s worth it and are you still able to enjoy the outside activities? Arenal and Tamarindo or Arenal & Manuel Antonio areas are where we are looking to go.
Hi Heather, the weather in Guanacaste where we are (close to Tamarindo) has been hot in the mornings and afternoons and rainy in the evenings and nights a few days here and there. I know tourists don’t want any rain on their vacation but it’s actually a unique experience and it gives you a different perspective. BUT if you don’t want to run into rain at all, then you should wait until it’s dry season because it is now officially rainy season and it’s impossible to predict what the weather will be except that you will run into rain somewhere along the way. Arenal is the rainier area out of all of those, we’ve visited that area in June before and it poured most of the time we were there. We were able to do all of the outside activities like hiking, the waterfall and things like that, just in the rain. So it really depends on what you want but you can still do all the outside activities except if there is a lightning storm since that’s not safe.
Hi Sammi,
I really appreciate the prompt response! It’s nice to know that the outdoor activities can still be done in the rain. I prefer to travel in off seasons and don’t mind the rain so long as it does not completely hinder experiencing the scenery and especially if we get to enjoy the sight of more animals and vegetation.
Best,
Heather
You’re welcome. Actually the rain makes everything much more beautiful, it’s so green and lush now. And the animals come out because of the rain so you will still see plenty of wildlife!
Rainy season and those 26 micro-climates seem challenging at best! I loved this post, Sammi and Yeison! I’ve always heard such wonderful things about Costa Rica and never began to realize just how diverse the climate can be there.
The extremes of that mountain weather are just… wow. This guide was pretty cool because it’s kind of preparing me for my upcoming trip through SE Asia, and the extremes that will come with that☺ Do you find them similar, CR and SE Asia?
I love that picture you took from the top of that mountain. Such a gorgeous view there. Are the hikes there super difficult?
One note/question about the battery pack: I’ve been told by some people that it’s not cool to pack one because airports find them pretty suspect. Have you ever had any bad experiences traveling with them?
Thanks for sharing this wonderfully-informative post☺ Can’t wait to read more of your awesome blog!
Hi Duke!
The climate is really crazy here, it’s not a very big country but the weather changes even 30 minutes driving. I definitely felt like the weather in Se Asia and CR were similar, though SE Asia was WAY more humid. It doesn’t get very humid here in Costa Rica (Nicaragua is another story).
Hiking here is not that hard and it’s not as prolific. Id it’s more like walking through the forest, nothing crazy, no bouldering or climbing. There are a couple that are tough but on the whole, hiking here is fairly easy.
And yes, be very careful about the battery packs in Asia. They don’t cause a problem in North and Central America, but when we were in Asia you had to make sure your battery packs were in your carry on and not your check in. I accidentally left a battery pack in my check in and they went through my luggage and took it. You also see signs for it everywhere when you’re in the airport about items you can’t put in your check in and battery packs are one of them.
Thanks for reading Duke! Hope you can visit one day 🙂
does it still get sunny during the rainy season? Like is it sunny in the mornings and then pours down in the afternoons or is it constant rain?
Hi Grace, right now in the Guanacaste province it is sunny in the morning and afternoons. it has been raining in the late afternoons and evenings, sometimes all night. In the Central Valley it has been raining pretty hard and constant.
Great tips Sammi! Thanks for this post!
Piggybacking on your last point, you can also buy small, flexible solar panels in lieu of lugging around extra battery packs. I’ve seen decent ones on Amazon.com for around $50. Something to consider.
That’s also a great idea! You can let them charge in the early hours when it is sunny. I need to get myself some solar panels!
Great tips guys. You seriously don’t want to visit Costa Rica during the rainy season without rain coat and other proper rain gear. Those downpours, though usually short, are crazy.
Thanks Ben! Yep the downpours can get pretty intense and it has been raining pretty hard the past few days! Always want to come prepared