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Original poster

Costa Rica July

31 replies

Sobloomintired · 14/08/2023 15:16

We are planning a trip to Costa Rica in July next year. We know it's the rainy season and have researched the weather in the different areas we want to go (Arenal, Monteverde, Manual Antonio) and expect it to be sunny mornings and then rain/thunder each afternoon and possibly cooler and also wetter in Monteverde. My friend has really put me off though and says it will be unbearably humid and we won't be able to do anything because of the rain.
I guess I'm looking for advice on whether the weather will spoil our holiday if we're totally prepared for some rain and not expecting to lie on a beach all day. Experiences please!!

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Silkierabbit · 14/08/2023 15:41

We went in August to Arenal, Pacific coast, Caribbean side etc and did activities everyday, was about 27C each day then rain at about 4pm. We were based in Guanacaste. It's not a place for lying on beach really, beaches were quite wild with wildlife entering but that was part of the appeal. And rain in a rainforest was good. One of the best holidays we have done. We did rainforest, wildlife in wild saw sloths, raccoons, gecko, toucan, monkeys, coati etc, ziplines, volcanoes, hot springs Arenal, kayaking in Pacific ocean, botanical gardens, local villages, waterfalls, horse riding, swimming, beach volleyball, waterpolo. The main issue is the UK seems very dull on return, that was my children's complaint. 😂

Silkierabbit · 14/08/2023 15:48

The only thing I don't know is we were in the north of Costa Rica or whether we were lucky but was fine for us. Maybe look up weather forecasts.

Original poster
Sobloomintired · 14/08/2023 15:52

Thank you, that sounds amazing! We want to see lots of wildlife and have some adventures so it sounds perfect. All the weather websites are as you describe.
The person trying to put me off is quite a negative person anyway, I just wanted to check we weren't being unrealistic (and sounds like we're not!)

OP posts:
Original poster
Sobloomintired · 14/08/2023 15:53

Rain in a rainforest is how it should be 😀

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cheezncrackers · 14/08/2023 15:54

When we looked at going in the summer we were warned that while it's turtle nesting season on the Caribbean side, the weather can be very wet/humid and that doesn't suit some visitors. Do your research, think about what you like or can tolerate and then choose your itinerary based on that. We were going to do central and Pacific coast only. In the end, we chose a different time of year.

Original poster
Sobloomintired · 14/08/2023 16:00

Thanks, yes, we've discounted Caribbean side as wetter and more humid in July, sticking to NW of the country as we are limited to summer hols really.

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maybebalancing · 14/08/2023 16:34

We ended up with the rainy season as it started freakishly early.
It meant we couldn't snorkel as water was too cloudy.
It was very humid.
And roads can get washed out trying to get around.
But we had a fantastic time and it was one of our best holidays.

minipie · 14/08/2023 16:39

Next year is El Nino which hits Central and South America particularly hard. Based on the last El Nino, the west side will likely be drier than usual (droughts in some areas) and very very hot, east side will likely have extra rain and some floods. I would be prepared to be flexible and change plans with the weather.

ConstantHeadaches · 14/08/2023 17:20

We went to Manuel Antonio in July last year. Had lovely sunny days with rain generally in the late afternoon/early evening. It was humid but definitely not unbearable. It was an amazing trip, the wildlife is incredible. Would love to go back!

Silkierabbit · 14/08/2023 17:32

When we went there we adjusted for the late afternoon rain so left very early for trips and back for c4pm but that works well with the time difference. My kids loved the rain in the rainforest, it was torrential downpours for a couple of hours c 4pm or early evening each day but that was quite amazing to watch and hear as well. The rest of the days were sunny with the odd bit of light drizzle which lasted a few minutes. Not somewhere to go for sunbathing or sitting on a beach all day (odd hour is ok) but great for an active holiday and wildlife.

C1N1C · 14/08/2023 17:53

We went last year and loved it, and the weather doesn't spoil it. Sure, it can get annoying, but the dry days dry out really quickly.

I'd actually recommend the East Coast. Those areas you've mentioned are all nice, sure, but MASSIVELY touristy and overpriced. The skywalk bridges are say £30 for a 50 m walk where you might see one monkey, the coffee and chocolate plantation tours are similarly priced and literally take you to some old machinery and a few trees.

Definitely do as many night walks as you can. Starbucks factory in the city. Volcano (early day otherwise clouds hide it). As many rainforest and waterfalls as you can. Look up when the sea turtles are laying and the beaches they go at certain times of year.

Just bring some really good rain gear, rain proof backpacks etc, and mosquito repellent.

...oh, and worth stocking up at any supermarkets you come by as you'll get SO bored of rice and beans day and night.

Original poster
Sobloomintired · 14/08/2023 18:03

Thanks everyone, some great tips!

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aramox1 · 14/08/2023 18:04

We went in August and it wasn't a problem. A few showers but lots of dry time too. Sea was really warm.

House4DS · 14/08/2023 18:27

We just got back from a 3 week trip a few days ago.
It was brilliant!
Fabulous storms overnight.
Only 2 days of rain, one when we were white water rafting and one when hiking near Arenal. Raincoats were on and off a bit that day, but otherwise not used.
Are you going with a company or independently?
We did the latter.
Samara (34C, north west), Monteverde (20C), La Fortuna (late 20s?), Tortuguero (low 30s), Cahuita (Caribbean, low 30s).

Be warned - it's expensive. You have to pay to do anything. No free hiking. All land has entrance fees.
Beaches are free though. And national park in Cahuita is by donation at one gate, $5 at the other. Our best spot for seeing sloths.
Supermarkets are also expensive.
Eating out was easy enough to keep mains to $10 particularly in Soda's (cafes). Tasty big portions.
Alcohol is expensive.
Buses were cheap. Shared mini bus transfers were around $70 between the places above (pick you up and drop you off at your hotels).

After 3 weeks we were unanimous in wanting to stay longer.
Yes hot, yes humid, but you just get on with it (and have air con!).
Wildlife is best early, so busy mornings, quieter afternoons was our pattern.

cheezncrackers · 15/08/2023 09:09

Re: night walks. When I posted a thread asking questions about Costa Rica one of the posters pointed out that during full moon there is a lot less to see. I checked our travel dates and guess what? It will be full moon. So just check the phases of the moon while you're there if you want to do night walks, as apparently they are a waste of time/money unless it's really dark.

cheezncrackers · 15/08/2023 09:12

Starbucks factory in the city.

@C1N1C do you mean the Hacienda Alsacia or an actual factory? And if you mean the Hacienda Alsacia, is that tour better than any of the others?

ClickClackClock · 15/08/2023 10:30

Sorry to hijack the thread but I have just booked CR too. Going slightly earlier in February but would love to hear peoples reccommendations.

House4DS · 15/08/2023 12:00

@ClickClackClock

Have you booked a package? Or DIY? With/without a car?
Zip lining and white water rafting were great fun for adventure, but so was hiking trails and spotting wildlife.

ClickClackClock · 15/08/2023 14:30

We will hire a car. No packages as prefer to do it ourselves. At the moment had planned Manuel Antonio - Monteverde - La Fortuna - puerto viejo but open to suggestions

ClickClackClock · 15/08/2023 14:30

Quiet is better rather than crazy, I don;t really like people!

maybebalancing · 15/08/2023 16:22

ClickClackClock · 15/08/2023 14:30

We will hire a car. No packages as prefer to do it ourselves. At the moment had planned Manuel Antonio - Monteverde - La Fortuna - puerto viejo but open to suggestions

We hired a 4x4 pickup truck which I would recommend as it means you can use any of the roads.

The only issue we had was that hertz didn't have covers for the pickup bed so the first thing we had to do was go to a local shop and buy bin bags to put our suitcases in so they didn't get soaked.

We either turned up to things or booked through trip advisor ( mostly turned up having seem them on trip advisor etc)

FettleOfKish · 15/08/2023 16:40

If it reassures you OP I went in November a few years back. It rained almost all the time I was in Monteverde, Arenal, Tortuguero and Cahuita, BUT it had no impact at all on how much I enjoyed it. Best country in the world. I'm jealous!

Orangesandlemons82 · 15/08/2023 16:45

We are in CR now and have been for a couple of weeks. It is incredibly hot and humid but we are managing to do everything we wanted to do with lots of rest days in between. When it rains it is epic and with very little warning. It doesn't seem to happen until later in the afternoon though so we have been getting out early before it's too hot.
I have been surprised how expensive everything is here, even roadside sodas havent been as cheap as I expected!

maybebalancing · 15/08/2023 16:53

CR is very much set up for American tourists and the dollar is strong against the pound currently. This is going to mean it seems expensive for Brits in particular.
We thought it was more expensive than Mexico but we are also used to dollar costs which helped.

declutteringmymind · 15/08/2023 17:01

We too are going next year but have booked a package tour with llama travel in April.