Costa Rica Weather in January 2025: Travel Tips for First-Timers

January is one of the best months to visit Costa Rica. Most days are dry and free of cloud cover, so you can be out and about experiencing the endless natural beauty on display with ample sunlight to give you company. Temperatures average at highs of around 31°C (88°F) and lows of 15°C (59°F) during this time of year.

January is part of the high season in Costa Rica. Locals and foreign tourists both like enjoying the good January weather by traveling, so you can expect it to be crowded in most parts of the country during this time. The otherwise quiet city of Palmares comes alive during its much-awaited Palmares Festival, with huge numbers of tourists making their way to the city during this time. Although the end of January is relatively better insofar as crowds and costs are concerned, most of the month sees inflated prices for accommodation and airfare, so it's best to book as far in advance as possible.

Except for the Caribbean coast, most of Costa Rica remains dry and comfortable during January. It's best to pack linen or cotton tops and shirts, dresses, shorts, pants, sweaters and light jackets for the cooler hours of the evenings, swimwear, reef shoes, sturdy footwear including sandals and shoes, sunglasses, sunhats, sunscreen, and trail shoes if you plan to spend time in the mountainous parts of the country. Because it's likely to rain on the Caribbean coast during January, it's best to pack a poncho, and an umbrella or light raincoat, if you plan traveling in these parts of the country.

To better understand what Costa Rica is like when it comes to climate and weather conditions during the month of January, continue reading below.

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• Weather Overview
• Regional Weather
• Best Places to Visit
• Crowds and Cost
• What to Wear

Costa Rica Weather in January: Overview

• Average temperature range: 15°C (59°F) – 31°C (88°F)
• Rainfall: 60 mm (2.5 inches) in San Jose; 210 mm (8.5 inches) in Manuel Antonio; 200 mm (8 inches) in Puerto Viejo.
• Rainy days: 7 in San Jose; 10 in Manuel Antonio; 12 in Puerto Viejo.

Although January is a glorious time of year to be visiting Costa Rica, it's important to keep in mind that the rainy season is still ongoing on the Caribbean side of the country. Temperatures are slightly lower on this eastern side, but it rains on a daily basis.

Temperatures vary from region to region in Costa Rica. The average temperatures range from maximums of 24°C (75°F) in the capital, San Jose, 27°C (81°F) in Manuel Antonio, and 27°C (81°F) in Puerto Viejo, to minimums of 15°C (59°F) in San Jose, 23°C (73°F) in Manuel Antonio, and 22°C (72°F) in Puerto Viejo.

The weather in Costa Rica is amazing during January. You'll be spoilt with long hours of sunshine and save for a few places on the Caribbean coast, the country is rain-free. If you're looking forward to spending time relaxing on the beach, getting a few hikes in, and attending a festival the likes of which you've likely never seen before, January is the time to be in Costa Rica.

Weather of Costa Rica's Major Cities in January

Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica in January

1.San Jose

As the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, San Jose has rightfully earned a reputation for being one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America. From world-class dining and nightlife to lively streets and markets, San Jose has a little bit of something for everyone. We highly recommend you don't just treat the city as a pit-stop on your way in and out of the country but take a few days to really soak in the local culture instead.

2.Palmares

There are very few parties as exciting or exhilarating as the Palmares Festival. The entire country looks froward to this two-week celebration and the otherwise quiet city of Palmares comes alive during this time. It's definitely worth making your way here during January. There are concerts, horse parades, bullfighting, football matches, food stalls, and plenty of beer on offer to ensure you have the time of your life!

3.Tamarindo

Take advantage of the good, dry, weather by making your way to Tamarindo. This popular beach town is a favorite among locals and tourists due to its fantastic beaches and great surfing. It's equally popular for fishing and boat safaris. Tamarindo offers everything you'd expect from your storybook Costa Rican holiday without being overly crowded or touristy like some other beach towns.

January Crowds and Costs

January is part of the high season in Costa Rica. The good weather results in droves of tourists – both local and international – traveling around the country, so you can expect crowds in most places you plan on visiting, but especially in Palmares city, which comes alive during the highly anticipated Palmares Festival. Although the latter stages of January do ease up in terms of crowds and costs, most of the month, due to the increase in tourism, features higher airfare, accommodation, and transport costs. To avoid these inflated prices, it's best to book as far in advance as possible.

January Events in Costa Rica

New Year's Day: New Year's Day is celebrated with much fanfare throughout Costa Rica, but the holiday is especially big in San Jose. This first day of the year is a national holiday, and most Ticos spend the day in the company of family members, loved ones, good food, and great music, and if you find yourself in the capital, head on down to Zapote district, where the celebrations are endless and the atmosphere unmissable.

Palmares Festival: Las Fiestas de Palmares, or the Palmares Festival, takes place in the city of Palmares, located northwest of San Jose, from the second Thursday of every January to the third Sunday of the month. It's one of the biggest and most popular festivals in Costa Rica and attendees are greeted to scenes of horse parades, Costa Rican cowboys and cowgirls riding horses, concerts, bullfighting, football matches, and a lot of drinking! If you're in Costa Rica during January, the Palmares Festival is a must-not-miss as far as experiences are concerned.

What to Wear in Costa Rica in January

The weather is terrific in Costa Rica during January. Although you can expect some rainfall on the Caribbean coast, it's dry and comfy in most other parts of the country. Although the afternoons can be on the warmer side, the evenings tend to be cool.

It's best to include the following items when packing for your trip to Costa Rica during January: tops made of soft and breathable fabrics like cotton and linen, long-sleeved shirts, dresses, sweaters and light jackets, shorts, pants, sunglasses, sunhats, sunscreen, socks, sturdy footwear including sandals and shoes, reef shoes if you plan to go swimming, swimwear, and trail shoes if you plan on spending some time hiking.

It's also wise to always carry an umbrella or light raincoat, along with a poncho, with you, if you're planning on traveling on the Caribbean coast.

Explore Costa Rica with Global Highlights

If you're reading this, you're probably planning your dream vacation to gorgeous Costa Rica! That's just perfect because our travel experts here at Global Highlights go above and beyond in making sure your itinerary is as well planned yet personal as you like. We take immense pride in making sure you have a memorable time in Costa Rica, and we use our expertise and attention to detail to curate trips for you and your loved ones that are both unique and dreamy. We'll keep everything from weather conditions to special interests in mind, so that you can just relax and take in the good times!