Costa Rica’s dry season strengthens significantly this week as mostly dry conditions establish themselves across the Central Valley and Guanacaste province. Tuesday and Wednesday mark the consolidation of these drier patterns, with only the far southern South Pacific possibly seeing some rain on Wednesday.
Following last week’s intense weather from a cold front and tropical wave, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) has lifted all elevated alerts.
Starting Tuesday and continuing throughout this week, a strengthening of the trade winds brings moderate intensities with occasional strong gusts in Guanacaste and the Central Valley due to increased surface atmospheric pressure. Wednesday marks the beginning of a new accelerated trade wind cycle that will push some cloudiness from the Caribbean toward the country, bringing isolated or scattered light rainfall to the Caribbean and Northern Zone starting Thursday, with possible minor rains in parts of the Central Valley.
Both the Central Valley and Guanacaste continue into their dry season, while the Central and South Pacific will still see some scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms, reflecting those regions’ slower transition into dry season (which is typical).
Tuesday and Wednesday represent the peak of dry weather establishment across most of the country. Clear to partly cloudy skies dominate the Pacific and Central Valley with strong sunshine creating hot conditions. Only the far southern South Pacific may see some rainfall on Wednesday.
Mornings: Clear to partly cloudy in the Pacific and Central Valley with windy conditions. Possible occasional drizzle in mountains and surrounding areas. The Caribbean and Northern Zone see variable cloudiness but remain mostly dry during this timeframe.
Afternoons: Partly cloudy to mostly clear in the North Pacific and Central Valley with continued windy conditions and intense sunshine. The Caribbean and Northern Zone maintain partly cloudy skies. Scattered showers in the Central Pacific and thunderstorms in the South Pacific.
Nights: Partly cloudy to mostly clear in the North Pacific and Central Valley with windy conditions continuing. The Caribbean and Northern Zone stay partly cloudy. Coastal showers during early evening hours in the Central and South Pacific.
Starting Thursday, accelerated trade winds push moisture toward Costa Rica from the Caribbean, creating a slightly different pattern for the latter half of this week.
Mornings: Clear to partly cloudy in the Pacific and Central Valley, windy, with possible occasional drizzle in mountains and surrounding areas. The Caribbean and Northern Zone experience variable cloudiness and isolated showers from Friday to Sunday.
Afternoons: Partly cloudy to mostly clear in the North Pacific and Central Valley with continued windy conditions but slightly cooler, fresher temperatures than early week. Partly cloudy in the Caribbean and Northern Zone with occasional showers in the mountains from Friday to Sunday. Scattered showers continue in the Central Pacific and thunderstorms in the South Pacific.
Nights: Partly cloudy to mostly clear in the North Pacific and Central Valley, windy. Partly cloudy in the Caribbean and Northern Zone with isolated showers from Friday to Sunday. Coastal showers during early evening hours in the Central and South Pacific.
Central Valley: Dry season conditions are establishing themselves. Clear to partly cloudy skies with strong sunshine creating hot conditions, particularly Tuesday and Wednesday. Starting Thursday, accelerated trade winds may bring occasional drizzle to mountains and possibly minor incursions of light rain, along with slightly cooler, fresher conditions. Windy throughout the week with moderate to strong gusts, particularly in elevated areas.
Guanacaste/North Pacific: Classic dry season weather. Mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with strong trade winds throughout this week. Hot conditions with intense sunshine, especially Tuesday and Wednesday. Windy conditions persist with moderate to strong gusts.
Caribbean Coast: Variable weather pattern this week. Mostly dry Tuesday and Wednesday, then starting Friday through Sunday, isolated showers return, particularly in mountain areas. The trade wind acceleration Thursday brings increased cloudiness and light rainfall potential. Less extreme than recent weeks but maintaining some precipitation.
Northern Zone: Mirrors Caribbean pattern with mostly dry conditions early week, then isolated showers especially in mountains from Friday to Sunday as trade wind moisture increases. Much calmer than last week’s intense rainfall.
Central Pacific: Slower transition to dry season. Scattered afternoon showers persist throughout this week, reflecting this region’s gradual shift away from rainy patterns. Coastal areas may see early evening showers.
South Pacific: The last region to transition to dry season conditions. Afternoon thunderstorms continue this week, some potentially strong, particularly in inland areas. Coastal showers during early evening hours. Wednesday may bring rain even to the far southern areas. This region maintains the most active rainfall pattern of any area in the country.
Temperatures reflect strong dry season trend with notably warm highs across most regions:
| Region | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Central Valley | 31° (87.8°) | 15° (59°) |
| North Pacific | 34° (93.2°) | 19° (66.2°) |
| Central Pacific | 33° (91.4°) | 16° (60.8°) |
| South Pacific | 32° (89.6°) | 16° (60.8°) |
| Caribbean | 33° (91.4°) | 20° (68°) |
| Northern Zone | 34° (93.2°) | 20° (68°) |
This forecast is based on outlooks from Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute (IMN), CNE bulletins, and other weather sources.
