Those heading to Costa Rica this week should expect a familiar April split. The week of April 13 to 19 is starting with strong trade winds in the Central Valley, Guanacaste and the mountains, while the Caribbean side and the Northern Zone stay cloudier with a better chance of rain, especially early and late in the day. The Pacific side still offers long stretches of good beach weather, but afternoon showers and thunderstorms will become more common as the week moves along.
For many, this does not look like a week of nonstop rain. It looks more like a week where timing matters. Early mornings remain the safest window for beaches, wildlife tours, volcano visits and long drives. By afternoon, parts of the country will likely see clouds build quickly, with showers or isolated storms showing up in the Central Valley, the Pacific coast and inland mountain areas.
San José and the Central Valley will start the week breezy and fairly mild, with highs mostly around 77 to 82°F (25 to 28°C) and lows near 60 to 62°F (16 to 17°C). Monday and Tuesday look mostly cloudy but manageable for walking around the capital or taking day trips. From Wednesday into the weekend, the odds of afternoon showers and scattered thunderstorms rise, so travelers planning coffee tours, city outings or mountain drives should try to get an early start.
Guanacaste and the North Pacific still look like the driest and sunniest part of the country this week, though the wind and heat will be hard to ignore. Liberia is forecast to reach about 94 to 98°F (35 to 37°C) on most days, with overnight lows around 68 to 74°F (20 to 23°C). The wind pattern remains strong enough to affect the region, with recent official alerts warning of gusts between 40 and 80 km/h and stronger bursts in exposed mountain areas. For travelers, that means hot afternoons, rougher beach conditions in some spots and a greater need to stay hydrated.
The Caribbean side will stay more humid and more changeable at the start of the week. In Limón, highs should run around 83 to 86°F (28 to 30°C), with lows near 72 to 75°F (22 to 24°C). Monday through Wednesday bring more cloud cover and a better chance of showers, then conditions appear to improve from Thursday into the weekend with more sun breaking through. Travelers heading to Puerto Viejo, Cahuita or Tortuguero should still expect passing rain, but there should also be decent windows for beach time and outdoor plans.
On the Central and South Pacific coast, including Quepos and Manuel Antonio, the pattern looks warmer and more unstable. Highs are expected near 90 to 91°F (32 to 33°C) through much of the week, with humid nights around 74 to 79°F (24 to 26°C). Monday carries the strongest thunderstorm signal, and the rest of the week still brings a daily chance of showers, especially later in the day. Travelers hoping for national park hikes, catamaran trips or beach time will have the best shot by going early and keeping plans flexible after lunch.
The Northern area, including La Fortuna and the Arenal area, looks warm, muggy and somewhat unsettled. Forecasts show highs mostly between 86 and 92°F (30 to 33°C), with lows around 68 to 71°F (20 to 22°C). Showers are possible on most days, but this does not look like a week of constant heavy rain. The main tradeoff for visitors will be changing visibility around the volcano and a better chance of rain interrupting late afternoon outings.
The best overall travel strategy this week is to use the mornings well, keep rain gear in the car or daypack, and do not assume a bright start will hold through sunset. Guanacaste remains the strongest bet for dry beach weather, the Caribbean side improves later in the week, and much of the rest of the country sits in that classic April middle ground where sunshine and storms can share the same day.
For more detailed information see our weather forecast page.
