Costa Rica is considered to be a tropical and subtropical country. It’s a quintessential tropical destination: dense rainforests, palm tree-lined beaches, warm weather and comfortable waters characterize the country. It gets cooler in the mountains. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry (called winter and summer). Winter begins in April and lasts into November, and summer starts at the end of November through the beginning of April. The coasts are generally rainy and humid year-round. Daytime temps in the Central Valley, where San José is located, range from 60 to 85 degrees F, which leads many to call the capital’s climate “eternal spring.” Evenings can get chilly and a sweater or light jacket is recommended.

In the rainy season, sunny mornings are typically followed up by cloudy mid-day and an afternoon shower, usually clearing up in time to go out in the evening.