Guanacaste weather by month

When to go to Guanacaste

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. October is the wettest month (382 mm, about 25 rainy days) and February the driest (2 mm). The sea is warmest in May at 28.9°C and coolest in February at 26.8°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR, 13 km from Liberia) takes roughly 11 h 42 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: America/Costa Rica.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Guanacaste between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.3°C on 11 April 2020; the coldest fell to 17.8°C on 21 November 1999. In April one day in ten tops 35.7°C and about 99% of days pass 30°C; in October one night in ten drops to 21.4°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was September 2010 with 761 mm, against a September average of 355 mm.

December to March: the driest stretch

December marks a clear return to drier conditions, with 2 rain days and daytime temperatures of 29°C. It suits travellers who want warmth without the stronger heat that builds towards spring. January stays almost as dry, while February combines the most sunshine with the lowest rainfall, making it the clearest choice for outdoor plans. March remains very dry but pushes daytime temperatures to 33°C, so shade and a quieter midday become more important. Across this stretch, the sea averages 27°C and evenings remain warm. Pack light clothing and sun protection rather than treating the slightly cooler nights as a reason to bring a heavy wardrobe.

April, May and November: months of change

April is the hottest month, with days around 34°C and nights at 24°C. Rain becomes more frequent than in March, but heat is still the main consideration: plan strenuous activity away from midday and choose somewhere comfortable to sleep. May brings a much sharper change, with 18 rain days and only 3 hours of sunshine. The sea is warm, but this is a less dependable choice for spending long stretches outdoors. November moves in the opposite direction. Its 12 rain days mean waterproofs still belong in your bag, though sunshine improves and daytime temperatures of 28°C make it a gentler option than April. Choose it if you can accept interruptions rather than expect consistently dry days.

June to October: warm, but rain shapes the holiday

June begins a stretch when sunshine averages just 2 hours a day, so come for warmth rather than dependable clear skies. July offers a relative easing in rain, with 17 rain days compared with June's 22, but it is still a wet-weather choice. August becomes wetter again, and September has the most frequent rain, at 26 days. October is the wettest month overall and also the coolest, though daytime temperatures around 28°C are hardly chilly. The sea stays warm throughout this period, but sea temperature alone cannot tell you if swimming conditions will suit. Pack a light waterproof and clothing that dries readily, and keep outdoor plans movable. These months are less suited to travellers whose holiday depends on sunshine.