Average Temperatures in Costa Rica During the months of February to April, you will find the highest temperatures. Similarly, months like September through November are generally the coldest months that the country sees, however this does vary region to region.

Temperatures are consistently warm and tropical year round in Costa Rica averaging between 72 and 82 °F (22 and 28 °C). The northwest is hotter in the dry season February through May when there are no rains too cool things off.

Costa Rica itself has an average temperature of 70 F to 81 F. Due to its proximity to the equator, it has no real summer or winter. It does however have a rainy season from May to November.

Travel Tips

The Pacific coast is slightly warmer than the Caribbean coast, especially in winter, when the north-east trade winds descend from the mountains and become hot and dry: the average daytime temperatures are around 30/32 °C (86/90 °F) in the least hot period, in October and November, while they can reach 34/35 °C (93/95 ° …

The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April, when the weather is at its driest and brightest. We’d also recommend traveling in the country’s green season, from May to June or in November.

The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April (the dry season). This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it an ideal time for exploring rainforests and lounging on beaches.

Costa Rica may be more expensive than some other Central American countries, but you can certainly experience the country on a backpacker’s budget if you take the time to investigate low-cost sleeping options like camping, hostels and small eco guest houses. Budget travelers can survive on around $30 – $50 USD per day.

Studies show that the cheapest time to book is 49 days before your departure, or 81 days ahead of time for international flights. Interestingly, flights booked 200 days or more in advance are more expensive, and last minute flights may be cheaper, but the seat availability is extremely limited.

Costa Rica is more expensive than other Central American countries and many Caribbean countries, in part, because of their labor laws. This has helped Costa Rica to have a large, powerful, middle-class. Compare that to other countries where only a few benefit from tourism/industry.

A trip for two weeks for two people costs ₡1,335,599 in Costa Rica. If you’re traveling as a family of three or four people, the price person often goes down because kid’s tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down.

In Costa Rican eateries, tipping is optional, though it’s polite to offer an additional sum if you feel your server exceeded your expectations or went the extra mile to ensure you were happy with your meal.

While home prices vary depending on the city and town, Costa Rica’s overall housing market is one that is both strong and relatively affordable. According to Numbeo, the average rent per month for a one-bedroom apartment in a city center is just $475.13.

Top Ten Complaints about Living in Costa Rica

• It’s not like home.
• It’s not necessarily cheap.
• Crime and corruption are problems and getting worse.
• Health care costs less but Medicare and other U.S./Canadian insurances are not accepted.
• Traffic is horrific and getting worse everywhere.

In short, yes you can live in Costa Rica on US$1,000 per month… You just have to pay attention to what you spend your money on.

Is it expensive to live in Costa Rica? Generally: no. The average cost of living in this tropical country is less than 2,000 USD, and most of that is due to housing costs. Expats who want to spend even less should look at studio apartments or places that are away from the main cities and tourist areas.

A couple can live well on $2,000 a month. Also part of its appeal: “The healthcare in Costa Rica is top notch and low priced, and from this area it’s easy to access, too,” says Stevens.

Cost Comparison Chart:

Expats in Costa Rica: Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica

• Pro: Costa Rica Has Beautiful Beaches and Rainforests.
• Pro: Costa Rica Has Astonishing Biodiversity.
• Con: Expats Have Had Mixed Experiences with the Public Health Care System in Costa Rica.
• Con: You Need to Choose Where You Live Carefully in Costa Rica.

While beaches and waters are enticing, they can also be very scary: powerful rip currents, large rocks, underwater caves, just to name a few. Playa Sirena, one of the wildest beaches in Costa Rica is also one of the most dangerous ones. You can run into sharks and caimans in the water and pumas and jaguars on the land.

Costa Rica is expensive – certainly, it’s the most expensive country in Central American and one of the most expensive in Latin America (though we still save 33% over our U.S. cost of living). And Costa Rica has a high rate for robberies and burglaries, like much of Latin America.

Overall, I would say it is definitely safe to live in Costa Rica. Just as in any country, some places are “safer” than others and there is always the risk of something happening just about anywhere. If you are looking at retirement in Costa Rica, the places about which International Living writes are the safest havens.