Green season

Costa Rica weather in August

Yes, if you're after wildlife and surf rather than guaranteed sun. Rain is daily on the Pacific, mostly in the afternoons, and the whale and turtle seasons are in full swing.

By Aaron Bailey

Daytime highs

54–91°F

12–33°C depending on altitude

Driest

Cahuita National Park

5.9 in (150 mm) of rain

Wettest

Tortuguero National Park

18.2 in (462 mm) of rain

What August is like

August is wet season proper. Expect rain most afternoons across the Pacific, the Central Valley, and the mountains, and higher bug levels than in dry season. Mornings are still often bright, so the early-start routine matters more now.

It's a strong month for nature. Humpbacks are off Uvita, turtles are nesting at Tortuguero, and the surf on the Pacific is excellent. Keep your plans flexible around rivers and back roads after heavy rain.

In August, average daytime highs in Costa Rica range from 54°F (12°C) at Irazú Volcano National Park to 91°F (33°C) at Tamarindo. Rainfall ranges from about 5.9 in (150 mm) at Cahuita National Park to 18.2 in (462 mm) at Tortuguero National Park.

Crowds and prices

Moderate. Summer-holiday travelers are around early in the month, and two national holidays (August 2 and August 15) bring domestic travel.

Happening in August

Peak southern humpback whale season in Uvita and Marino Ballena.
Peak green turtle nesting at Tortuguero.
August 2 brings the pilgrimage to the Basilica in Cartago, and August 15 (Mother's Day) is a national holiday.

Towns and airports in August

Long-term monthly averages, driest first.

Destination	High	Low	Rain	Conditions
Tamarindo	91°F / 33°C	75°F / 24°C	6.5 in / 165 mm	Green season
Guanacaste Airport (LIR)	91°F / 33°C	74°F / 23°C	7.1 in / 180 mm	Green season
Samara	90°F / 32°C	74°F / 23°C	7.1 in / 180 mm	Green season
Nosara	91°F / 33°C	74°F / 23°C	7.5 in / 191 mm	Green season
Santa Teresa	88°F / 31°C	74°F / 23°C	8.7 in / 221 mm	Wet
Monteverde	70°F / 21°C	61°F / 16°C	9.1 in / 231 mm	Wet
San José Airport (SJO)	79°F / 26°C	64°F / 18°C	9.4 in / 239 mm	Wet
San José	77°F / 25°C	62°F / 17°C	9.4 in / 239 mm	Wet
Puerto Viejo	87°F / 31°C	74°F / 23°C	9.4 in / 239 mm	Wet
La Fortuna	83°F / 28°C	69°F / 21°C	11 in / 279 mm	Wet
Jaco	88°F / 31°C	74°F / 23°C	11.8 in / 300 mm	Wet
Manuel Antonio	88°F / 31°C	74°F / 23°C	13.8 in / 351 mm	Very wet
Uvita	88°F / 31°C	74°F / 23°C	14.6 in / 371 mm	Very wet
Dominical	85°F / 29°C	73°F / 23°C	17.3 in / 439 mm	Very wet

National parks in August

Long-term monthly averages, driest first.

Destination	High	Low	Rain	Conditions
Cahuita National Park	86°F / 30°C	75°F / 24°C	5.9 in / 150 mm	Green season
Rincón de la Vieja National Park	90°F / 32°C	74°F / 23°C	8.5 in / 216 mm	Wet
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve	70°F / 21°C	61°F / 16°C	9.1 in / 231 mm	Wet
Irazú Volcano National Park	54°F / 12°C	43°F / 6°C	10.6 in / 269 mm	Wet
Arenal Volcano National Park	83°F / 28°C	69°F / 21°C	11 in / 279 mm	Wet
Corcovado National Park	85°F / 29°C	72°F / 22°C	11.3 in / 287 mm	Wet
Poás Volcano National Park	61°F / 16°C	48°F / 9°C	11.4 in / 290 mm	Wet
Manuel Antonio National Park	88°F / 31°C	74°F / 23°C	13.8 in / 351 mm	Very wet
Marino Ballena National Park	88°F / 31°C	74°F / 23°C	14.6 in / 371 mm	Very wet
Tortuguero National Park	86°F / 30°C	74°F / 23°C	18.2 in / 462 mm	Very wet

Check your own itinerary

Add each stop on your trip and see the August weather, rainfall, and what to pack for each one.

Open the August weather planner

August in Costa Rica: quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Costa Rica?

Yes, if you're after wildlife and surf rather than guaranteed sun. Rain is daily on the Pacific, mostly in the afternoons, and the whale and turtle seasons are in full swing.

Does it rain in Costa Rica in August?

It depends on where you are. In August, average daytime highs in Costa Rica range from 54°F (12°C) at Irazú Volcano National Park to 91°F (33°C) at Tamarindo. Rainfall ranges from about 5.9 in (150 mm) at Cahuita National Park to 18.2 in (462 mm) at Tortuguero National Park.

Where is the best weather in Costa Rica in August?

The driest places in August are Cahuita National Park, Tamarindo, and Guanacaste Airport (LIR), each averaging 7.1 inches of rain or less for the month. The wettest are Tortuguero National Park, Dominical, and Uvita.

How hot is Costa Rica in August?

The hottest spot is Tamarindo, averaging highs of 91°F (33°C). San José in the Central Valley averages 77°F (25°C). The volcano summits and cloud forest are much cooler, with Irazú Volcano National Park averaging 54°F (12°C). Nights are cooler everywhere, especially at altitude.

Planning a August trip?

I'll build your route around August's weather: which coast to favor, where to stay, and how to get between stops.

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