The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) forecasts that an acceleration of trade winds over the Caribbean will push humidity into Costa Rica today, triggering afternoon downpours and thunderstorms across most of the country.
The Pacific coast and mountain areas will see the heaviest activity, while the Caribbean and Northern Zone start cloudy with scattered morning rain. The Central Valley will be partly cloudy in the morning before clouds build in the afternoon, with isolated showers expected on the western side.
Temperatures in San José are forecast to range from 18.9°C to 26.4°C (66°F to 80°F), offering a comfortable day in the capital — ideal for museum visits, downtown walking tours or day trips to nearby coffee farms in Heredia and Alajuela. In sharp contrast, Nicoya in Guanacaste is expected to climb to a sweltering 38.6°C (101°F).
Those of you heading to popular northern Pacific beaches such as Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, Conchal and Sámara should plan beach time for early morning or late afternoon, pack high-SPF sunscreen, drink water consistently and take a break from the sun between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Heat exhaustion is a real risk for those not yet acclimated to tropical conditions.
The Pacific Central and South Pacific regions face the most unstable conditions, with electrical storms likely in the afternoon and into the early evening. If your in Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita and the Osa Peninsula, the recommendation is to front-load your itineraries: schedule beach time, surf lessons, catamaran tours, zip-lining and national park visits for the morning hours, when skies are typically clearest.
Manuel Antonio National Park, in particular, sees much better wildlife viewing before the rain arrives. Afternoon thunderstorms can bring lightning, sudden downpours and reduced visibility — conditions that may temporarily suspend canopy tours, boat excursions and waterfall hikes for safety reasons.
If you’re driving, be especially cautious on mountain routes such as the Cerro de la Muerte (Route 2), the road to Monteverde and the descent into Jacó, where afternoon storms can trigger fog, flash flooding on secondary roads and occasional landslides. If you’re renting a 4×4 to reach remote lodges in Nosara, Santa Teresa or the Osa Peninsula, check road conditions with your accommodation before setting out.
For those of you in the Caribbean — Puerto Viejo, Cahuita and Tortuguero — the cloudy morning with scattered rain is fairly typical and shouldn’t disrupt most plans. Bring a light rain jacket and waterproof bag for electronics and consider indoor or covered activities like chocolate tours or Afro-Caribbean cooking classes as a backup.
See our weather forecast for additional details.
