Costa Rica is heading into a rainy, unstable weekend, with the National Meteorological Institute (IMN) warning Saturday that a low-pressure system sitting over Pacific waters near Central America could strengthen into a tropical depression in the coming days.
The IMN said the Intertropical Convergence Zone parked over our country is pumping in moisture and instability, setting up generalized downpours, high cloud cover and electrical storms. Through this early morning there were no significant rains, but the agency expects thunderstorms to build through the afternoon and persist into the night across much of the country this weekend and into early next week.
Forecasters rate the nearby disturbance as having medium-to-high potential to develop, and say they will keep it under constant monitoring. For now it is not a named storm and there is no evacuation order — but travelers should plan for rain, lightning and the possibility of swollen rivers and localized flooding.
Expect warm, muggy days. In the Central Pacific, Parrita is forecast between 18°C (64°F) and 31.8°C (89°F), with afternoon and overnight showers. In the South Pacific, Golfito runs 22.1°C (72°F) to 28.6°C (83°F). On the North Caribbean, Guápiles sits between 23.3°C (74°F) and 29.3°C (85°F), with heavier rain and storms likely over mountainous sectors in the afternoon.
If you’re headed to Jacó, Manuel Antonio or Quepos, mornings offer the best window — visitors should book tours, beach time and zip-lines early, and keep afternoons flexible for rain. In Tamarindo and the Guanacaste beaches, expect afternoon buildups; the bigger hazard right now is the surf and rip currents that strengthen with unsettled weather, so swim near lifeguarded stretches and heed flags.
Tortuguero and the Caribbean lowlands should brace for strong downpours and lightning; canal tours may be cut short, so confirm with operators. Mountain and unpaved roads (the back routes into Santa Teresa, Nosara and Monteverde) can flood or wash out — drive in daylight and don’t cross moving water.
For current regional breakdowns and the weekly outlook, see the Tico Times forecast page
