Green season begins
Costa Rica weather in May
Yes, and it's one of my favorite months. The rains arrive as afternoon thunderstorms rather than all-day downpours, prices drop, and the country greens up fast.
By Aaron Bailey
Daytime highs
57–93°F
14–34°C depending on altitude
Driest
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
5.9 in (150 mm) of rain
Wettest
Dominical
14.7 in (373 mm) of rain
What May is like
May is the start of green season. On most of the Pacific the pattern becomes sunny mornings and a heavy afternoon storm, usually clearing by evening. The dust is gone, the hills turn green within a couple of weeks, and the heat breaks a little.
The southern Pacific (Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita) gets wet sooner and harder than Guanacaste. If you want the driest beach option in May, head north. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and keep afternoons flexible for hot springs, cafés, or a nap.
In May, average daytime highs in Costa Rica range from 57°F (14°C) at Irazú Volcano National Park to 93°F (34°C) at Tamarindo. Rainfall ranges from about 5.9 in (150 mm) at Rincón de la Vieja National Park to 14.7 in (373 mm) at Dominical.
Crowds and prices
Low season starts. Prices come down noticeably, and you'll have trails and beaches mostly to yourself compared with March.
Happening in May
- Shoulder-season pricing on hotels and rental cars.
- Waterfalls start filling back up after the dry months.
- Surf is consistent on the Pacific.
Towns and airports in May
Long-term monthly averages, driest first.
| Destination | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamarindo | 93°F / 34°C | 75°F / 24°C | 6.9 in / 175 mm |
| Guanacaste Airport (LIR) | 93°F / 34°C | 74°F / 23°C | 7.3 in / 185 mm |
| Samara | 92°F / 33°C | 74°F / 23°C | 7.5 in / 191 mm |
| Monteverde | 73°F / 23°C | 60°F / 16°C | 7.9 in / 201 mm |
| Nosara | 92°F / 33°C | 74°F / 23°C | 7.9 in / 201 mm |
| Santa Teresa | 90°F / 32°C | 75°F / 24°C | 8.7 in / 221 mm |
| San José Airport (SJO) | 80°F / 27°C | 65°F / 18°C | 9.1 in / 231 mm |
| San José | 78°F / 26°C | 63°F / 17°C | 9.1 in / 231 mm |
| La Fortuna | 84°F / 29°C | 69°F / 21°C | 9.1 in / 231 mm |
| Jaco | 89°F / 32°C | 74°F / 23°C | 10.2 in / 259 mm |
| Puerto Viejo | 87°F / 31°C | 74°F / 23°C | 10.2 in / 259 mm |
| Manuel Antonio | 89°F / 32°C | 74°F / 23°C | 11.8 in / 300 mm |
| Uvita | 89°F / 32°C | 74°F / 23°C | 13 in / 330 mm |
| Dominical | 86°F / 30°C | 73°F / 23°C | 14.7 in / 373 mm |
National parks in May
Long-term monthly averages, driest first.
| Destination | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rincón de la Vieja National Park | 92°F / 33°C | 75°F / 24°C | 5.9 in / 150 mm |
| Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve | 73°F / 23°C | 60°F / 16°C | 7.9 in / 201 mm |
| Arenal Volcano National Park | 84°F / 29°C | 69°F / 21°C | 9.1 in / 231 mm |
| Irazú Volcano National Park | 57°F / 14°C | 43°F / 6°C | 9.8 in / 249 mm |
| Corcovado National Park | 87°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | 10.1 in / 257 mm |
| Poás Volcano National Park | 63°F / 17°C | 49°F / 9°C | 10.6 in / 269 mm |
| Manuel Antonio National Park | 89°F / 32°C | 74°F / 23°C | 11.8 in / 300 mm |
| Cahuita National Park | 86°F / 30°C | 76°F / 24°C | 12.3 in / 312 mm |
| Marino Ballena National Park | 89°F / 32°C | 74°F / 23°C | 13 in / 330 mm |
| Tortuguero National Park | 87°F / 31°C | 75°F / 24°C | 13.3 in / 338 mm |
Check your own itinerary
Add each stop on your trip and see the May weather, rainfall, and what to pack for each one.
Open the May weather plannerMay in Costa Rica: quick answers
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