When to Visit Playas del Coco: Seasons, Weather and Packing

Playas del Coco is warm all year, so the real question is wind and rain. The dry season suits travelers who want sunny beach days and don't mind a breeze. The green season suits travelers who like green hills and don't mind passing showers. Here's how the year breaks down and what to pack.

The seasons at a glance

Dry season (about mid-November to mid-May). Days are warm and dry, and the dry forest drops many of its leaves.

Green season (about mid-May to mid-November). In Guanacaste, the rainy season usually starts in early to mid-May and ends in early to mid-November, so each season covers roughly half the year. Rain tends to come and go, except in October, when it often settles in.

Temperatures. Average temperatures in Coco sit at about 27°C (81°F) or higher through the year.

Seasons don't follow the calendar exactly. In recent decades, the rainy season in Guanacaste has tended to start earlier and end later.

Papagayo winds

From about December to March, strong trade winds blow across the Gulf of Papagayo. Costa Rica's weather institute (IMN) tracks this flow as the Papagayo jet, which is why many visitors know it as the Papagayo winds.

The wind stirs up the sea. Boat trips can be cut short or called off, and the captain makes the final call. The winds can also pull cold water up from the deep, which makes some dives feel chilly but feeds the marine life.

If boat days matter to you, book them early in your stay and keep a spare day. Read more about boat trips by season.

Sea conditions through the year

• December to March: windy, with rougher seas on some days and cooler water at depth.
• January to April: manta rays gather around the Catalina Islands.
• March to November: the recommended months for seeing bull sharks around the Bat Islands and nearby sites.
• July and August: rainfall often dips for a few weeks, a short break known as the veranillo, or "little summer."
• Rainy season: at Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, the north end of the beach can get strong waves. This is the beach north of Coco, not the beach of the same name near Jacó.

Whales and dolphins pass through in different months. For dive planning, read about snorkeling and diving conditions.

Which season suits you

Choose the dry season if you want sunny beach days and plan to spend time on land, in the national parks or on the road.

Choose the green season if you'd like green hills, or want to dive in the months recommended for bull sharks.

Around the year-end holidays, national parks get busy, and the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG) requires reservations at its sites. Book early if you're traveling then.

Staying for a month or more? Read about longer stays in the green season.

Planning around the rain

Green-season rain usually comes and goes, so you can still have full beach days. Plan boat trips and long outings for the morning, and keep a backup plan for wet afternoons, such as a lazy lunch in town.

October tends to bring steadier rain than the months around it. If you travel then, choose a stay with a covered outdoor space and allow for days when plans shift.

Dry-season tips

The dry months bring strong sun. Drink plenty of water, use reef-safe sunscreen and take breaks in the shade during the middle of the day. The dry forest is at its barest, so trails can be dusty and hot.

Roads and travel by season

Main roads into Coco are paved. Heavy rain can slow traffic and make side roads muddy, so allow extra time on travel days in the green season. For routes and transfer options, read about getting to Coco.

What to pack

For any time of year:

• Reef-safe mineral sunscreen, a hat and polarized sunglasses
• A refillable water bottle; ask your stay about drinking water before you fill it from the tap
• Water shoes for rocky entries
• A light layer for boat trips and breezy evenings

For days on the water:

• A long-sleeve rash guard with UPF sun protection for long snorkel sessions
• Your own snorkel mask and snorkel, if you prefer a set that fits
• A dry bag and a waterproof phone pouch
• Motion-sickness wristbands if you feel queasy on boats

For trails and the green season:

• A hooded rain jacket
• Insect repellent with picaridin, especially for forest trails
• Closed shoes for hikes in the national parks
• Quick-dry clothes and binoculars for birdwatching in the mangroves

Weather and park rules change, so check current conditions close to your travel dates.

Related guides

• Boat trips by season
• Snorkeling and diving conditions
• Getting to Coco
• Longer stays in the green season