San Jose is the capital and largest city in Costa Rica, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central America. San Jose has pleasant warm temperatures, although it can be chilly if you venture up into the mountains and volcanoes. There are two seasons in Costa Rica: the dry season is the best time to visit San Jose and it falls between mid-December and April. It’s a sunny time of the year to explore all of the attractions in the city and beyond. Room rates are high in the dry season so book in advance. The rainy season extends from May to November.
January is the coldest and driest month of the year in San Jose with an average low temperature of 63°F (17°C) and a precipitation rate of 10 mm. The average high temperature is 79°F (26°C).
In February, the high temperature average rises to 84°F (29°C). There are no significant changes in the low temperature averages as it rises by only one degree to 64°F (18°C).
March sees slightly warmer temperatures in San Jose with the average high temperature inching up a few degrees to 86°F (30°C). The average low temperatures remain exactly the same at 64°F (18°C).
San Jose Weather in April: The hottest month of the year in San Jose is April. Though the high temperatures stay the same at 86°F (30°C), the low temperatures rise by a few degrees to 66°F (19°C).
| Month | Average High (°C) | Average Low (°C) | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26 | 15 | 6 |
| February | 27 | 15 | 4 |
| March | 28 | 16 | 14 |
| April | 28 | 17 | 83 |
| May | 27 | 17 | 273 |
| June | 27 | 17 | 280 |
| July | 27 | 17 | 183 |
| August | 27 | 17 | 254 |
| September | 27 | 17 | 356 |
| October | 26 | 17 | 330 |
| November | 26 | 16 | 156 |
| December | 26 | 15 | 35 |
In May, both the average high and average low temperatures decrease by 2 degrees to 84°F (29°C) and 64°F (18°C) respectively. The precipitation rates are moderate for San Jose with 140 mm of expected rainfall.
June is a gorgeous and sunny month for San Jose with the highest daily sunshine average of the year – 7 hours per day. The climate cools slightly with temperatures of 82°F (28°C) for the average high and 64°F (18°C) for the average low.
In July, San Jose receives 180 mm of rainfall. The high and low temperatures remain at 82°F (28°C) and 64°F (18°C).
San Jose Weather in August: The temperatures hold steady in August. This is a spectacular time to go whale watching as the warmer temperature brings the pods to the area.
September has the highest rainfall of the year with 240 mm of expected rainfall. This month sees temperatures stay the same at 82°F (28°C) for the high temperature average and 64°F (18°C) for the low temperature average.
In October, the average high temperature drops 5 degrees to 77°F (25°C). On the other hand, the average low temperature remains at 64°F (18°C).
November sees the low temperature stay at 64°F (18°C) for the seventh month in a row. Meanwhile, the average high temperature increases a couple of degrees to 79°F (26°C). The month brings in a moderate amount of rainfall as the precipitation average measures in at 160 mm.
San Jose Weather in December: The average low and average high temperatures remain the same in December ranging between 64°F (18°C) and 79°F (26°C). December also receives the lowest daily sunshine average at 6 hour of sunlight per day.
There’s a lot of great times in the year to visit San Jose but for those who want to enjoy the best of San Jose’s forests should plan to visit is in January. January is also the prime time to visit for adventurers who are eager to catch some river rafting and canyoneering. For those who want to visit the Osa Peninsula, the best time to come is in February when the dry season arrives. Dying to see the sea turtles nesting? Make sure to plan your visit between the months of May and June. Meanwhile, whale watching is at its best in between July and August as the pods of Antarctic Humpbacks seek refuge in the warm waters of Golfo Dulce. For those who want nothing but to enjoy the best of Costa Rica’s fiestas and culture, visit between December through April when the fiestas like El Tope and Carnival take place. Verified Resource: National Weather Service
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