MonteTours Blog

The Best Times to Visit Monteverde Costa Rica

You’ve arrived at this post because you already know Monteverde should be on your Costa Rica trip’s bucket list, but you don’t know when would be the best time to visit it, right? Don’t worry. We got you. Many people have this question, which we will explore in depth in this post. 

When people wonder when to visit Monteverde, they primarily consider the weather at a particular time of the year. However, pricing and seasonality can also be factors to consider. Therefore, we’ll cover all those aspects in this article to give you a good idea of the best time to visit Monteverde, Costa Rica. 

Let’s start by approaching the question of when to visit Monteverde based on the weather; 

When is The Best Time to Visit Monteverde Costa Rica Based on the Local Weather? 

The best time to visit Monteverde Costa Rica is during the dry season, from December through April, when the weather is delightful. During these months, the days are mostly sunny with a gentle cool breeze and an average temperature of 22°C (72°F). And the nights feel a bit chill at 18°C (64°F).

The period between December and April also has the least rain. Contrarily to the rest of the months, when it rains at least a couple of hours per day, this time of year, it only rains about every other day. Besides, it’s usually only for a few minutes as opposed to the rest of the year when it can rain for a few hours straight daily. 

Therefore, visiting Monteverde between December and April is the best choice if you plan to spend most of your time in outdoor activities, like most tourists who visit the area do. 

Interesting Fact: While it may be true that the period between December and April is Costa Rica’s summertime, the reality is that it feels colder than the so-called wintertime because the country gets enormous amounts of wind from Northamerica during these months. Especially in mountainous regions like Monteverde, where the wind can go so hard that mountain biking and ziplining tours sometimes need to be canceled. Therefore, many people refer to Costa Rica’s weather seasons as the dry and the wet seasons rather than summer and winter. 

The Second Best Time to Visit Monteverde Costa Rica

The second best time to travel to Monteverde is during the transition months, May and November, when the wet season is starting and ending. During May, you begin to see the first significant rains of the season. It usually rains for a few hours, then it goes away, and the sun returns. Likewise, November features the “last” rains of the wet season, which have a similar pattern, raining for a few hours once or twice daily. 

Many savvy travelers prefer to travel during May and November. Especially those who want to avoid the crowds. Monteverde is a top-rated destination, and the summertime brings herds of tourists to town. However, the thought of the winter season scares many people from visiting from May through November, and many travelers don’t know that May and November’s weather is much more excellent than the months in between. In addition to this, most kids throughout the world are in school during these two months. Hence, fewer families are traveling during this time.

Not only is the weather of May and November pretty tolerable, but the fact that there are fewer tourists makes the destination quieter. These two factors also have the added benefit of lower pricing on stays as the vacation rentals and hotels are not that busy during this time of the year. Therefore, getting great deals for mid-to-long-term holidays is another reason to visit Monteverde during May and November. You can save up to 50% on bed and breakfast during this time.

The Third Best Time to Visit Monteverde Costa Rica

The third best time to travel to Monteverde is from June through August when the rain is present, but it’s not raining the entire day. Contrary to what most uninformed travelers think, the weather from June through August is not bad. Even though it rains every day, it doesn’t rain for the entire day. Instead, it usually only rains during the morning, the afternoon, or, if you’re lucky, during the night. 

During this time of the year, it only rains for one to four hours, and the rain tends to be much softer than most people expect. The only exception is a rainstorm every 2 to 3 weeks. During a rainstorm, it’s normal to expect one of the following two scenarios. It either rains hard for about an hour, multiple times a day with short breaks in between, or it rains softly for the entire day. 

In Monteverde, these patterns can remain for up to four days. However, most of the time, a set of beautiful days follows a storm. For example, you can be stuck in a shower with constant rain for four days and then have two or three days with little to no rain. 

Traveling to Monteverde During the School Breaks (Jul and Aug)

July and August are a tourism mid-season when Monteverde is not as busy as during the dry season, yet, tourism is not as low as in the other rainy months. This period is also known as the student’s season, as most travelers who visit the area, either school groups or families, are taking advantage of the mid-year break. 

You can see a few big tourist buses daily in Monteverde during this time. Most carry up to 50 passengers, namely underage students, parents, teachers, and tour leaders. Adventure tour companies get lots of teens for activities such as ziplining tours. 

Insider Tip: If you are traveling to Monteverde between July and August, and you’re planning to go on a ziplining tour, but you want to avoid the crowds, book your session for the afternoon. While it may be true that the weather might be rainier in the afternoons, school groups are usually going on educational activities in the afternoons, so adventure tours are quieter during those times. 

On the contrary, if you book an adventure tour in the morning during these two months, nine times out of ten, you will need to join a group full of students, which can be highly annoying. 

You can use your morning to visit one of the Free Things to Do in Monteverde, go Horseback Riding, take the Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour, or do a Coffee Tour. Students seldom go on these activities, and when they do, they tend to do so in the afternoons, not in the mornings. 

The Least Recommended Time to Visit Monteverde Costa Rica

Due to heavier rainfall, September and October are the least recommended months to visit Monteverde. Even though the hotel and vacation rental prices to stay in Monteverde are the lowest during these two months, depending on what you’re traveling for, it might be better to defer your visit later. 

September and October are the two months of the year when it rains the most in Monteverde, Costa Rica. It rains harder, more often, and for more extended periods. Not only that, but these two months are more prone to get influenced by the Caribean climate, thus creating more opportunities for storms. 

As a result, more tours get canceled, and services get partly shut down. In addition, if you’re traveling to Monteverde to see wildlife, your chances of spotting it will decrease exponentially. Therefore, traveling to Monteverde during these two months is often discouraged. 

However, this period is the quietest time to visit Monteverde. Therefore, if you’re traveling to decompress and retreat, September and October might be the best months to visit Monteverde for you. Likewise, if you’re more interested in the cloud forest phenomena and its flora, this period is also the best time to travel. More rainfall makes the flora ecosystem bloom at its best. Consequently, the forest is greener and more beautiful this season. 

Insider Tip: Suppose you are one of those looking for a greener, more peaceful travel experience at the expense of spending your days in Monteverde with lots of rain. In that case, the main recommendation is to dress appropriately. Make sure to bring a poncho, rain jacket, and closed shoes. Please visit this article for a complete list of suggestions on what to carry to Monteverde. 

Another essential recommendation if you visit Monteverde during September or October is to book a lodge with excellent amenities, such as decent-quality WiFi and a hot, pressured shower. While most lodging options offer essential services, not all are good quality. 

For example, some lodges only have WiFi available at their reception. Furthermore, many others don’t have an optimal water pressure system. Consequently, when you’re showering, the water comes out little by little, making it feel cold, even when you know it’s hot. Therefore, be extra careful to choose an excellent place to stay. 

Here’s a list of cherry-picked lodges where to stay when visiting Monteverde during heavy-rain months. These places have excellent WiFi, comfortable bedding, hot showers, and decent water pressure. 

Great Value, Low Budget Places to Stay in Monteverde

• Arco Iris Lodge
• Cala Lodge
• Camino Verde B&B

High-End Places to Stay in Monteverde During the Rainy Season

• Hotel Fondavela
• Hotel Belmar
• Hotel Senda

Month-by-Month Temperatures in Monteverde

Source: weather-atlas.com

About the Author

Daniel Lalinde

I am the founder of MonteTours Costa Rica. I live in Monteverde and love nature, adventure, and Mountain Biking. My partner and I love spending time outdoors and dining out in Monteverde. We have more than 30 years of combined experience in the area, and there is no park, coffee shop, or restaurant we haven’t tried at least once!

We love helping visitors and connecting them with the different tours and activities to have a memorable experience in Monteverde.

If you need help planning things to do in the area, send us a message, and we will happily assist you!