Windy conditions dominate Costa Rica’s weather this week, with rainfall concentrated in the Northern Zone and Caribbean regions as is typical for late November. The week begins under similar conditions to the weekend, with stable and windy weather over the Central Valley and Pacific regions, but cloudy conditions over the Caribbean and Northern Zone.
The passage of Cold Front #4 through the Gulf of Mexico between Wednesday and Friday will significantly reinforce trade wind intensity in the Caribbean Sea, with gusts exceeding 50 mph (80 km/h) in mountain ranges. This cold front will also bring increased moisture to the country, generating rainfall in the Caribbean, Northern Zone, and Central Valley regions, particularly in mountainous areas and Cartago province. A temperature drop is expected in the Greater Metropolitan Area as well.
Meanwhile, the Pacific regions will remain dry with no significant rainfall expected in the coming days, maintaining their established dry season pattern.
The week starts with conditions similar to the weekend: stable and windy across the Central Valley and Pacific regions, while the Caribbean and Northern Zone experience cloudier conditions.
Mornings: Mostly cloudy in the Northern Zone and Caribbean regions with scattered rainfall in the early hours. The Central Valley sees partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rain and drizzle in the mountains and Cartago province. Few clouds in the Pacific regions.
Afternoons: Variable cloudiness in the Northern Zone and Caribbean regions with scattered showers concentrated near the mountains after Tuesday. The Central Valley experiences variable cloudiness with wind gusts and drizzle in the mountains. Few to partly cloudy conditions in the Pacific regions.
Nights: Mostly cloudy in both the Northern Zone and Caribbean regions with occasional rain. Drizzle in the Central Valley. Windy conditions in mountain ranges.
Starting Thursday, humidity increases as trade winds become more moisture-laden, generating higher precipitation toward the Caribbean and Northern Zone with intermittent rains reaching the northeast, north, and northwest of the Central Valley and potentially the North Pacific. The weekend shows even more unstable conditions over the Caribbean and Northern Zone, particularly in coastal sectors.
Mornings: Mostly cloudy in the Northern Zone and Caribbean with increased rainfall from Thursday onward. Central Valley sees partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rain and drizzle in mountains, northeast, north, and northwest sectors. Few clouds in Pacific regions.
Afternoons: Variable cloudiness in the Northern Zone and Caribbean with mountain showers intensifying through the week. Central Valley has variable cloudiness with wind gusts and drizzle. Few to partly cloudy in Pacific regions.
Nights: Mostly cloudy in Northern Zone and Caribbean with occasional to frequent rain, especially on the weekend. Drizzle in the Central Valley’s elevated and northern sectors. Windy in mountain ranges with strong gusts exceeding 50 mph (80 km/h).
Caribbean & Northern Zone: Cloudy and wet all week, intensifying Friday-Sunday with frequent coastal rain. Pack rain gear.
Central Valley: Split conditions – mountains and Cartago see rain/drizzle throughout; northern sectors get intermittent rain Thursday onward. Temperature drop makes mornings/evenings noticeably chilly (lows to 12°C/53.6°F).
Pacific Regions: Almost completely dry. Perfect beach weather with sunny skies all week.
Mountain Ranges: Strong wind gusts over 50 mph (80 km/h) Wednesday-Friday. Secure loose items.
Temperatures show the cooling power of Cold Front #4:
| Region | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Central Valley | 29° (84.2°) | 12° (53.6°) |
| North Pacific | 34° (93.2°) | 19° (66.2°) |
| Central Pacific | 32° (89.6°) | 15° (59°) |
| South Pacific | 33° (91.4°) | 14° (57.2°) |
| Caribbean | 29° (84.2°) | 16° (60.8°) |
| Northern Zone | 29° (84.2°) | 15° (59°) |
The Central Valley shows a notable temperature decrease with highs of just 29°C (84.2°F) and lows dropping to 12°C (53.6°) – quite chilly by Costa Rican standards. The Caribbean and Northern Zone also show reduced highs at 29°C (84.2°F), reflecting persistent cloud cover and rainfall.
The South Pacific shows particularly cool overnight lows at 14°C (57.2°F) despite maintaining dry conditions, while the North Pacific maintains warmer temperatures typical of established dry season weather.
This week is typical late November weather in Costa Rica. The Pacific is having full dry season conditions while the Caribbean and Northern Zone experience their characteristic late-year rainy period driven by strengthening trade winds and cold fronts.
Cold Front #4’s arrival reinforces the pattern, bringing trade wind moisture that will generates rainfall on the Caribbean slope while leaving the Pacific side dry. This regional contrast will become increasingly pronounced moving into December.
This forecast is based on outlooks from Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute (IMN), Plataforma Interactiva de Aplicacion de Clima Tropical (PIACT), and meteorological data sources.
