Costa Rica in July

Not long ago only locals and insiders knew about traveling to Costa Rica in July and why it’s a good idea to plan your vacation during this time of the year. But now the secret is out and tourists come here during “little summer”.

Weather

The weather is bright and sunny in the morning and eventually rains in the late afternoon or evening. This pattern dominates the weather in Costa Rica from May to November, but July is somewhat different. Although right smack in the middle of the rain season, for three to four weeks, the country experiences “little summer” or a mini-dry season especially in the northern Pacific. So July is a bit drier than the rest of the month during the wet. However, it might as well be very wet but it doesn’t happen too often. The Caribbean side, however, experiences heavy rain fall.

The beaches and the lowlands experience low-90s during the day and low-70s during the night. In San Jose , the temperature is typically 5-10 degrees cooler.

Some temperatures in July

Alajuela avg 71F/22C
Puntarenas avg high 87F/30C; avg low 76F/24C
San Jose avg high 77F/26C ; avg low 62F/16C

>>read more about Weather in Costa Rica

Facilities

July has grown immensely in popularity during the last few years and now rivals December and January in terms of travelers arriving here. Booking the airfare and accommodation in advance is strongly recommended especially if you head to the volcanoes, Nicoya peninsula and the central beaches.

In July, you can still find some low season discounts, but as the number of travelers increases , so do the prices. However, when it comes to airfare, you can still find excellent deals if you are flexible and book 2 to 12 weeks in advance.

Should you want to save some money, consider staying in a hostel , but remember to book the bed ahead of time. If you arrive early in the day you might be able to find some available beds even without a reservation but that’s the case if you don’t mind too much about where you’ll end up staying.

Alternatives to traveling in July

August is quite similar in terms of weather and you can find low season discounts again. May, June and November are also months with little rain and even less tourists, so you get to experience the country without the hustle and bustle of the tourist season.

Things to Do

Unless you plan to drive on a mountainous road while it rains, there aren’t any restrictions to the things you can do in Costa Rica in July. Plan to visit one of the volcanoes – Arenal Volcano is a very popular choice, while Paos Volcano can be climbed all the way up to the crater.

Spend the time on the beach in the mornings , when it’s hot, and finish the day with a traditional meal while enjoying the weather which cools down the area. The Gold Coast beaches of Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Flamingo, Conchal and Ocatol are excellent choices.

Visit a coffee farm and learn about how they grow and process it. Enjoy a nature walk, regardless of your fitness level.

Should the weather be too rainy, stay in San Jose and visit the Jade Museum or the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Spend some time in the Central Flea Market and shop for souvenirs.

Photo credit: Tamarindo Beach