June is categorized as a shoulder month in Costa Rica. It is wet and rainy, but the rains give the country's foliage a vibrant and visceral glow. It's green, gorgeous, and thriving with life no matter where you go! There's no escaping the rains in Costa Rica during June, though, with most showers taking place in the late afternoons and evenings. Average maximum temperatures for the month hover around the 30°C (86°F) mark while the average minimum is around 17°C (63°F).
June is part of the rainy shoulder season in Costa Rica. This means you'll likely encounter far fewer crowds than you would during the first quarter of the year, regardless of which corner of the country you want to base yourself out of (or want to travel to). Prices are also favorable during this time of the year, with accommodation and airfare nowhere near as expensive as they usually are.
It's important to keep the wet and rainy weather conditions in mind when packing for a June trip to Costa Rica. If possible, try and make sure you've packed the following items: quick-drying tops and shorts, a lightweight poncho or raincoat, lightweight pants or capris, sandals, tennis shoes, swimwear, insect repellant, sunglasses, sunscreen, and binoculars.
To better understand what Costa Rica is like when it comes to climate and weather conditions during the month of June, continue reading below.
Costa Rica Weather in June: Overview
- Average temperature range: 17°C (63°F) – 30°C (86°F)
- Rainfall: 450 mm (18 inches) in San Jose; 800 mm (31 inches) in Manuel Antonio; 410 mm (16 inches) in Puerto Viejo.
- Rainy days: 22 in San Jose; 21 in Manuel Antonio; 21 in Puerto Viejo.
Rains are unavoidable during June in Costa Rica. June also marks the official start of the country's hurricane season, so make sure you stay safe and prepared by checking local and national weather reports whenever possible during this time of the year, especially if you're in the Caribbean side of the country. While it's always a good idea to remain prepared, it's also important to point out that Costa Rica, due to its unique geographical location, rarely gets hit by hurricanes.
Average June temperatures in Costa Rica differ from region to region. The average temperature highs are 25°C (77°F) in San Jose, 28°C (82°F) in Manuel Antonio, and 29°C (84°F) in Puerto Viejo. On the other hand, the average temperature lows are 17°C (63°F) in San Jose, 23°C (73°F) in Manuel Antonio, and 24°C (75°F) in Puerto Viejo.
While you won't be greeted with the utmost sunshine that can be expected in Costa Rica during some other months of the year, June is a great month to be in Costa Rica if you're looking to enjoy the rains and take in the country's lush green foliage.
Weather of Costa Rica's Major Cities in June
City | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Rainfall |
---|---|---|---|
San Jose | 17°C (63°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 450 mm (18 inches) |
Monteverde | 21°C (70°F) | 29°C (84°F) | 300 mm (12 inches) |
La Fortuna | 21°C (70°F) | 29°C (84°F) | 330 mm (13 inches) |
Tamarindo | 25°C (77°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 280 mm (11 inches) |
Manuel Antonio | 23°C (73°F) | 28°C (82°F) | 800 mm (31 inches) |
Puerto Viejo | 24°C (75°F) | 29°C (84°F) | 410 mm (16 inches) |
Drake | 25°C (77°F) | 29°C (84°F) | 500 mm (20 inches) |
Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica in June
1. Drake Bay
Drake Bay is beautiful throughout the year and despite the occasional afternoon and early evening rains here in June, the ocean waters remain nice and warm. It's best to start all activities during the morning hours of the day, so as to avoid the rains. The area is home to some excellent snorkeling, diving, fishing, and even hiking. If you get lucky, you'll even get to see some sloths, monkeys, toucans, and macaws.
2. Monteverde
Monteverde is a must-visit in June. The entire region comes to life with breathtaking greenery and lush foliage, and your hikes through the cloud reserve will surely provide you with happy sightings of anteaters, monkeys, sloths, and quetzals. Although rains cannot be avoided in Monteverde during June, the good news is that the rains don't last too long. Just make sure you dress appropriately, and carry a raincoat or poncho with you at all times.
3. Tamarindo
Although Tamarindo, too, experiences rainfall in June, it remains drier than most places in Costa Rica during June. The area is home to some of the best surfing, fishing, and boat safaris of anywhere in the region and if you're looking to spend some time on the beach during what is generally a very rainy time in Costa Rica, Tamarindo will offer you the best chances to do just that. As is the case with most places in Costa Rica during June, start your outdoor activities as early as possible in the day, so you minimize your chances of getting rained on. Tamarindo is on the quieter side during the busiest of times, so you can definitely have this little piece of heaven to yourself during the shoulder month of June.
June Crowds and Costs
June is part of the rainy shoulder season in Costa Rica. This means crowds are thin in almost every corner of the country. All activities are possible, and all parks are accessible, and you don't have to worry about having too many people around.
The fewer crowds and general decline in tourism in Costa Rica during June results in great prices being offered for accommodation and airfare. Rooms at good prices will be available almost anywhere you go, but you can always book in advance just to be sure you've got yourself the best deal.
June Events in Costa Rica
Dia de San Pedro y San Pablo: During the last week of June, Costa Rica comes together to celebrate the Catholic feast day, the Festival of San Pedro and San Pablo. The week-long festivities – which include processions and folk dances – culminate in the day of the actual religious observances on June 29.
What to Wear in Costa Rica in June
It's going to rain no matter where you go in Costa Rica during the month of June. It's important to keep these weather conditions in mind when packing, and make sure you include plenty of tops and shorts made of quick-drying fabrics. A good, high quality, raincoat or waterproof jacket, and a lightweight poncho will also aid in making sure you stay as dry as possible.
Ideally, you should aim to include as many of the following items as possible, when packing for a June trip to Costa Rica: quick-drying tops and shorts, lightweight pants or capris (also useful in keeping mosquitos away during the evenings), mosquito/insect repellent, a lightweight poncho or raincoat, a pair of tennis shoes, sandals, swimwear if you plan on visiting places like Tamarindo that see relatively less rainfall than others, sunglasses, sunscreen, and binoculars for wildlife spotting.
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!