What's the Weather Like in Costa Rica in July?

Is July a good time to visit Costa Rica? It could be one of the best. Although July falls squarely into the May-November rainy season, you might find yourself wondering where the rain is if you visit during this month. There's a little respite from the rains, you see, in July. A two- or three-week mini-dry season that surprises many. Even if it might never be as dry as March or April, it can get close, and it provides a great opportunity for travelers.

July is also quite a busy time to travel, making it feel more alive and active than other months, which can feel very quiet. That doesn't mean jam-packed at all, more like you have more chance of meeting good people around the pool or on a tour.

Below, we'll dig deeper into July travel to Costa Rica and give you all the ins and outs you need.

Although Costa Rica's climate is essentially simple, with rainy and dry seasons, it can be a little more complex than you think. And we're not talking about regional climates or altitude. We're talking here about a mini dry season that occurs around this time of year, called the veranillo de San Juan or "Saint John’s little summer."This little break from the rain season arrives in early-to-mid July and can last from two to four weeks. Guanacaste in the northern Pacific benefits most from the veranillo, but that’s also the driest part of Costa Rica anyway.

Outside of the veranillo, you can expect hot and sunny mornings in July, perfect for the beach, while afternoon and evening showers cool things down. Basically, during the veranillo, you can expect fewer of these late showers. When they do occur, they should be lighter. Expect this pattern on the Pacific coast, the highlands, and the Central Valley.

The Caribbean side is the exception. Here, expect wet weather, with the rainy season in full swing before things start easing off over the course of the next month or so.

Expect high temperatures in the 90s on the coasts and low-lying areas. In higher elevations like the Central Valley, it's generally five to ten degrees cooler, with mountainous areas being 20 or 30 degrees lower.

We think July is a great month to visit Costa Rica, for a variety of reasons that we'll summarize below. It's also worth, for the sake of balance, to offer some cons to visiting Costa Rica in July, so you can be aware of what to expect or decide if another month might be better for you.

Whatever time of year you come to Costa Rica, you're going to see wildlife. From monkeys and sloths to iguanas and crocodiles, Costa Rica is a treasure for nature enthusiasts. Birds, amphibians, reptiles, and interesting insects abound in the national parks, cloud forests, and rainforests every month.

If you're looking for turtles, you're in luck in July. Costa Rica in July is excellent for green sea turtles nesting on the Caribbean coast. The Tortuguero region in particular provides opportunities to view tiny new tortugas making their way to the sea. The last couple of weeks in July are great for Olive Ridley turtles on the Pacific coast, particularly on the Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste.

Birdwatchers are a little too late to catch the resplendent quetzal in the cloud forests. Their breeding season ends in June, making them a little harder to spot in July, although July is the time when their chicks are hatching and starting to fly around, so there is still a lot to look forward to. Toucans, macaws, and other tropical birds are still around and there are hundreds of species to look for.

One thing to remember when animal spotting or birdwatching in July—get out onto the trails as early as you can. July is a little busier, so avoiding any crowds is better for seeing wildlife.

Want to know what to see and do in Costa Rica in July? That's easy—just go outside! Costa Rica is always a destination for adventure lovers and outdoors enthusiasts, and July is no exception. Whitewater rafting, hiking, zip-lining, horseback riding, and much more are available in July. National parks sometimes close their trails in the rainy season, but that's not applicable in July—it's a popular month and everything is good to go.

An advantage of Costa Rica’s tropical location is the year-round warm weather. That makes the beaches perfect and welcoming, regardless of the season. Well, the Pacific beaches, for sure. It might be a little wet on the Caribbean side, but still warm enough to enjoy the sea. So whether you're a swimmer, boogie boarder, or just enjoy lounging beachside or by the pool, July is a great month for beach life.

Serious surfers will find Costa Rica's Pacific coast excellent in July, especially if they head into the Central Pacific and point further south. Here, the southwest-facing coastline gets the full effect of those swells formed by distant winter storms in the South Pacific. Further north, in Guanacaste, the waves are a little milder, but still enough to attract more novice surfers and learners. This is not the best month for surfing on the Caribbean side—stick to the Pacific.

The Pacific sportfishing in July is excellent, up and down the coast. Anglers in Guanacaste on the North Pacific coast will love getting way offshore to chase sailfish. Further south, off the Central and Southern Pacific coasts, you'll find marlin, mahi-mahi, and tuna.

If you’re wondering what to wear in Costa Rica in July, first remember Costa Rica's climate is fairly constant throughout the year. That means persistent heat and humidity, particularly at sea level. As a result, it's best to pack lightly. Expect to wear shorts and T-shirts most of the time, but also prepare for rain and bring a fast-drying light rain jacket and long-sleeved clothing. Also, bring shoes or sneakers that you don't mind getting wet.

Other essential items to bring are sunscreen, a cap for sun protection, a sweater for cooler evenings, and, of course, swimwear for those beach and pool days. You will also want to bring insect repellent. You will find mosquitoes in July, but a combination of repellent and light long pants will keep most of them away and allow you to relax and explore without concern.

July is a good month to travel in the sense that the rain is pretty minimal during this month. You don't have to worry so much about road closures and treacherous flooding in July, although it's always worth staying aware of things. In general, there are almost no safety concerns in Costa Rica in July.

The main issue with July travel to be aware of is planning. July has become, in recent years, a busy travel month in Costa Rica. It's by far the busiest month of the year outside the peak December-April high season. As a result, we recommend planning and booking your July vacation to Costa Rica in advance to make sure you get the exact hotels and flights you want.

July is a sweet spot in the calendar for visiting Costa Rica: Hot and sunny, not too rainy, and glowing with greenery. It's a busy month, but not crazy-busy like the peak season at the end and beginning of the year. It’s busy enough not to be boring. The wildlife is visible and the beaches are perfect. If you're thinking of a July vacation to Costa Rica, don't let the "rainy season" label deter you. Speak to our Travel Consultants about your July vacation and let us plan a wonderful summer getaway for you!