# The best time to visit Santa Teresa, month by month

> For sunshine and easy beach days, visit in the dry season from December to April, when it barely rains but the town is busy and dusty. For bigger surf, greener hills and fewer people, come in the green season from May to November, avoiding September and October if you don't like heavy rain. The sweet spots for many visitors are late November to early December and May to July.

Source: https://www.santa-teresa.com/best-time-to-visit-santa-teresa/
Last checked: 2026-10-20
Dry season: About December to April; sunny, hot, dusty and busy
Green season: About May to November; afternoon rain, greener, quieter
Wettest months: Usually September and October
Busiest dates: Christmas to New Year, and Easter week
Biggest surf: Usually the green season

## The two seasons

Costa Rica's Pacific coast has two seasons, and they shape everything here.

**The dry season**, roughly December to April, is summer to Costa Ricans. Days are sunny and hot, rain is rare, and the sea is often glassy in the morning. It's also high season, so hotels are fuller, restaurants busier and the dirt roads dustier. By March and April the hills turn brown and dry.

**The green season**, roughly May to November, is what locals call winter. Mornings are often sunny, with clouds building up and rain falling in the afternoon or evening. The landscape turns green, the dust settles and the town gets quieter. It rains more as the season goes on, with September and October usually the wettest months.

## Month by month

| Months | Weather | Surf | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| December to January | Dry, sunny, breezy days | Smaller, cleaner waves | Very busy over the holidays |
| February to April | Hot and dry, very dusty by the end | Smaller swells, good for learning | Busy, especially Easter week |
| May to July | Sunny mornings, afternoon showers | Bigger, more consistent swells | Quieter |
| August | Often a short, drier spell mid-season | Consistent swells | Quiet, with some summer travelers |
| September to October | Wettest months, heavy rain possible | Big swells | Very quiet; some places close |
| November | Rain easing toward the end | Good swells | Quiet, picking up late in the month |

Weather varies from year to year, so treat this as a guide rather than a promise.

## Daylight and sunsets

Santa Teresa is close enough to the equator that day length barely changes through the year. The sun rises around 5:15 to 6:00 am and sets around 5:20 to 6:00 pm, depending on the month. That has a big effect on your days: the coolest, calmest hours are early, so surfers and hikers are out at dawn, and the light fades quickly after sunset. Plan to be back from day trips before dark, especially if you're driving.

## A closer look at the green season

The green season isn't one long downpour. In May, June and July, a typical day starts sunny and clear, with clouds building after lunch and a storm in the late afternoon or evening. Many locals rate these months highly: the hills turn green, the dust is gone, and the town is relaxed. Around July and August there's often a drier spell that Costa Ricans call the veranillo, or "little summer," though it doesn't arrive every year.

September and October are different. Rain can last for hours or days, rivers rise, and some side roads get rough. Some hotels and restaurants close for a few weeks for maintenance and holidays. If you visit then, choose a place to stay close to the main road, bring a rain jacket and leave room in your plans.

## A closer look at the dry season

December brings the first steady sunshine and the Christmas crowds. January to March is the classic beach-holiday stretch, with clear skies, offshore mornings and warm, dry winds. By March and April the landscape is brown, the dust on the coast road is at its worst and the heat builds. These are still excellent beach months, just hotter and busier.

## Best time for...

- **Learning to surf:** The dry season, when swells are usually smaller and more manageable.
- **Experienced surfers:** The green season, especially May to August and again in October and November, when the bigger south swells arrive.
- **Beach days and sunsets:** December to April, when clear skies are almost guaranteed.
- **Avoiding crowds:** May to July and November.
- **Hiking Cabo Blanco and day trips:** The dry season or early green season, when trails and roads are easier. [Cabo Blanco](/cabo-blanco-national-park/) is usually closed Monday and Tuesday all year.
- **Snorkeling at Tortuga Island:** Usually the dry season, when the water tends to be clearer. See [Tortuga Island](/tortuga-island/).
- **Lower prices and availability:** The green season, though some places close in September and October.

## Holidays to plan around

Costa Ricans take their main holidays at Christmas and New Year and during Easter week (Semana Santa), and many head for the beach. Santa Teresa fills up, ferries get long lines and hotels book out months ahead. If you're coming then, book early and leave extra time for the ferry.

## What to pack by season

- **Dry season:** Strong sunscreen, a hat, a light scarf or buff for dust if you'll ride an ATV, and plenty of water.
- **Green season:** A light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes, insect repellent and sandals that can handle mud.
- **All year:** A rash guard for surfing, reef-safe sunscreen, a flashlight for dark roads at night and a dry bag for boat trips.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best month to visit Santa Teresa?
For guaranteed sun, January to March. For a balance of good weather, surf and fewer people, many visitors like late November, early December or May to July.

### Is it worth visiting Santa Teresa in the rainy season?
Yes, for many people. Mornings are often sunny, the surf is bigger, the town is greener and quieter, and hotels are easier to book. September and October are the wettest and the least predictable.

### When is high season in Santa Teresa?
From mid-December to Easter, with peaks over Christmas and New Year and during Easter week.

### Do businesses close in the low season?
Some hotels and restaurants close for a few weeks, usually around September and October. Most of the town stays open.