Route Pura Vida

Dry season

Costa Rica weather in February

Yes, and it's one of the best. February is the driest month across most of the country, the holiday crowds are gone, and you can still catch the northern whale season in Uvita.

By Aaron Bailey

Daytime highs

55–93°F

13–34°C depending on altitude

Driest

Guanacaste Airport (LIR)

0.1 in (3 mm) of rain

Wettest

Tortuguero National Park

7.8 in (198 mm) of rain

What February is like

February is the heart of dry season. Almost everywhere on the Pacific gets close to zero rain, the Central Valley is sunny and mild, and even the wet spots dry out. La Fortuna and Monteverde have some of their clearest days of the year, which matters if you want to actually see Arenal Volcano.

It's also a decent window for the Caribbean, which gets a drier spell around February and March. Guanacaste is turning brown and dusty by now, and the beach towns are hot. Plan beach time for the mornings and late afternoons.

In February, average daytime highs in Costa Rica range from 55°F (13°C) at Irazú Volcano National Park to 93°F (34°C) at Guanacaste Airport (LIR). Rainfall ranges from about 0.1 in (3 mm) at Guanacaste Airport (LIR) to 7.8 in (198 mm) at Tortuguero National Park.

Crowds and prices

Still high season and still busy, but noticeably calmer than late December and early January. Late January through early March is the sweet spot I recommend for most first-time visitors.

Happening in February

  • Northern-hemisphere humpback whales are still around Uvita and Marino Ballena.
  • Envision Festival usually runs near Uvita in late February or early March, and the area books up fast that week.
  • Clear-sky odds for Arenal Volcano are at their best.

Towns and airports in February

Long-term monthly averages, driest first.

Destination High Low Rain
Guanacaste Airport (LIR) 93°F / 34°C 70°F / 21°C 0.1 in / 3 mm
Tamarindo 93°F / 34°C 72°F / 22°C 0.1 in / 3 mm
Santa Teresa 91°F / 33°C 72°F / 22°C 0.1 in / 3 mm
Nosara 92°F / 33°C 72°F / 22°C 0.1 in / 3 mm
Samara 91°F / 33°C 71°F / 22°C 0.1 in / 3 mm
San José Airport (SJO) 79°F / 26°C 60°F / 16°C 0.2 in / 5 mm
San José 77°F / 25°C 58°F / 14°C 0.2 in / 5 mm
Jaco 90°F / 32°C 73°F / 23°C 0.2 in / 5 mm
Manuel Antonio 88°F / 31°C 73°F / 23°C 0.6 in / 15 mm
Dominical 87°F / 31°C 72°F / 22°C 0.9 in / 23 mm
Uvita 88°F / 31°C 73°F / 23°C 1 in / 25 mm
Monteverde 72°F / 22°C 58°F / 14°C 1.6 in / 41 mm
La Fortuna 83°F / 28°C 66°F / 19°C 4.1 in / 104 mm
Puerto Viejo 83°F / 28°C 72°F / 22°C 5.5 in / 140 mm

National parks in February

Long-term monthly averages, driest first.

Destination High Low Rain
Rincón de la Vieja National Park 93°F / 34°C 71°F / 22°C 0.3 in / 8 mm
Manuel Antonio National Park 88°F / 31°C 73°F / 23°C 0.6 in / 15 mm
Marino Ballena National Park 88°F / 31°C 73°F / 23°C 1 in / 25 mm
Irazú Volcano National Park 55°F / 13°C 38°F / 3°C 1.3 in / 33 mm
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve 72°F / 22°C 58°F / 14°C 1.6 in / 41 mm
Poás Volcano National Park 61°F / 16°C 45°F / 7°C 1.8 in / 46 mm
Corcovado National Park 88°F / 31°C 70°F / 21°C 2.1 in / 53 mm
Cahuita National Park 82°F / 28°C 73°F / 23°C 3.3 in / 84 mm
Arenal Volcano National Park 83°F / 28°C 66°F / 19°C 4.1 in / 104 mm
Tortuguero National Park 85°F / 29°C 73°F / 23°C 7.8 in / 198 mm

Check your own itinerary

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

Open the February weather planner

February in Costa Rica: quick answers

Is February a good time to visit Costa Rica?
Yes, and it's one of the best. February is the driest month across most of the country, the holiday crowds are gone, and you can still catch the northern whale season in Uvita.
Does it rain in Costa Rica in February?
It depends on where you are. In February, average daytime highs in Costa Rica range from 55°F (13°C) at Irazú Volcano National Park to 93°F (34°C) at Guanacaste Airport (LIR). Rainfall ranges from about 0.1 in (3 mm) at Guanacaste Airport (LIR) to 7.8 in (198 mm) at Tortuguero National Park.
Where is the best weather in Costa Rica in February?
The driest places in February are Guanacaste Airport (LIR), Tamarindo, and Santa Teresa, each averaging 0.1 inches of rain or less for the month. The wettest are Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo, and La Fortuna.
How hot is Costa Rica in February?
The hottest spot is Guanacaste Airport (LIR), averaging highs of 93°F (34°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 55°F (13°C). Nights are cooler everywhere, especially at altitude.

Planning a February trip?

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

Plan my itinerary