Costa Rica in May: Green Season Weather, Where to Go and What to Do

On the first afternoons of May, the sky over the Central Valley turns the color of slate around three o’clock, the first heavy drops hit the tin roofs, and the hills that spent months brown go green almost overnight. Along the Pacific, surfers paddle out in warm water while clouds pile up over the jungle behind them. May is the month the country changes its clothes, and it suits travelers who like lush scenery, quieter trails and mornings made for getting outdoors early.

Green hills and a volcano in Costa Rica in the green season · Illustration

What is the weather like in Costa Rica in May?

May is hot and humid on the northern Pacific coast, warm and wet on the central Pacific, mild and showery in the mountains, and damp on the Caribbean side, where the rain never really takes a season off. The green season begins with the first regular afternoon rains, so the country is in transition, with plenty of sun in the morning and clouds building as the day goes on.

Place	Region	Average high (°F)	Average low (°F)	Rain (in)	Rain days
San Jose	Central Valley	76.6	64.8	13.96	23.3
Monteverde	Northern highlands	78.0	66.2	10.65	17.2
Tamarindo	North Pacific coast	87.2	77.5	9.73	18.7
Manuel Antonio	Central Pacific coast	80.4	72.0	30.50	29.7
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca	Caribbean coast	81.8	73.0	15.15	24.2

The biggest contrast is between the two Pacific beaches. Tamarindo, in the drier northwest, is the hottest place on the table and gets the least rain, while Manuel Antonio is by far the wettest, with rain on nearly every day of the month and a good number of real downpours. Pack for a steamy jungle there, not for a classic beach week.

The highlands are gentler. San Jose and Monteverde stay comfortable for walking, with cool nights, and the afternoon rain is the main thing to plan around.

The sea is warm everywhere you might swim, in the upper 80s off Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio and a little cooler on the Caribbean side off Puerto Viejo. The mountains cut the nation in two, so weather can differ a lot between spots only an hour apart, which means you should look up the town you truly plan to visit, not merely the country.

Where to go in Costa Rica in May

The North Pacific coast: Tamarindo and Guanacaste

Tamarindo is the strongest beach choice this month if you want warmth and the best odds of sun. Mornings are bright and hot, the surf breaks are busy with beginners and regulars, and the evenings are warm enough for dinner outside with your feet near the sand. The landscape is turning green as the rains arrive, so the dry-forest scenery behind the coast looks very different from a few weeks earlier.

Rain here tends to come in the afternoon, so the sensible plan is to surf, snorkel or walk the beach early and leave the late hours for lunch, a nap or the pool. It suits couples, surfers and anyone who wants a beach town with restaurants and sunset bars. Keep an eye on the ocean, since rip currents do occur along plenty of Pacific beaches, so check with a surf school or your hotel about conditions that day.

The central Pacific: Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio in May is deep green, steamy and dripping. The forest that runs down to the beaches is at its lushest, and the sloths, capuchin monkeys and birds that people come for are still there, easiest to find with a local guide who knows where to look. Between showers the sea is very warm and the coves are lovely.

This is the place to arrive with a flexible plan. The rain is frequent, and a wet morning can happen, so keep your outdoor time loose and have a backup such as a long lunch, a spa afternoon or a drive to a nearby town. It suits travelers who like rainforest atmosphere more than a guaranteed beach tan, and who are happy with bright spells rather than whole sunny days.

The Caribbean coast: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

The Caribbean side keeps its own calendar. It gets rain all year and does not follow the Pacific’s dry and green seasons, so May here is not the start of anything. Puerto Viejo greets you as a relaxed, soggy spot where the sea stays close to the mid-80s, the streets hum with bikes and reggae, coconut milk simmers with rice and beans, and the jungle meets the sand.

Expect showers that can arrive at any hour, and plan outdoor days with that in mind. It suits travelers who like a slow, barefoot pace and the Afro-Caribbean flavor of the south. Some beaches get powerful waves, and lifeguards are absent at most of them, so check with locals before you swim and stay right beside your kids.

The central highlands: San Jose and Monteverde

San Jose is a practical base for museums, markets and cafés, and in May it is cool enough at night for a light sweater. The Central Valley gets its rain on most days, usually in the afternoon, so museums, coffee tastings and long lunches fit the rhythm well. Mornings are the best time to be out walking.

Monteverde sits in the cloud forest and is a little drier than the capital. Hanging bridges, hummingbird gardens and guided night walks are the draws, and the mist and green are part of the atmosphere in this season. Bring a rain layer and go out early, when the forest is often most active.

What to do in Costa Rica in May

Labor Day and the first rains

May 1 is Labor Day, a national holiday, and it opens the month with a day off for many Costa Ricans. In San Jose, Labor Day is marked by union marches and demonstrations, while many Costa Ricans have the day off. The same period marks the start of the green season, and the first regular afternoon rains arrive around then.

The first rains are a small event of their own. The air cools, the smell of wet earth rises, and farmers and gardeners welcome the change. If you are in a highland town at that hour, a café with a view of the clouds is a good place to be.

Wildlife with a guide

May is a good month for forest walks. A morning walk with a local guide in Monteverde or Manuel Antonio makes wildlife easier to spot.

Night walks are a favorite, since frogs and many insects are most active after dark, and wetter weather often makes them easier to find. Pack a light rain layer and shoes with grip.

Beaches, surf and coffee country

On the Pacific, the mornings are for the beach. Surf lessons at Tamarindo, a boat or snorkel outing, a walk on the sand at low tide, then shade and a cold fruit drink when the clouds start to build. The Caribbean has its own pleasures, from jungle trails to cycling between beaches.

In the highlands, spend a rainy afternoon on a coffee farm, a chocolate tasting or in the markets of San Jose. The standard lunch, a casado, brings together rice, beans, plantain, salad and a protein, and it suits a gray afternoon well.

Is Costa Rica busy in May?

May is generally calmer than the dry months, since it falls in the green season, when fewer visitors come and trails and beaches feel less crowded. Labor Day brings local travelers to the beaches and the roads, and the late-May long weekend in the United States can bring a few extra American visitors, but the month does not have the busy feel of the winter high season.

The places that fill most are the easy-to-reach beach towns on the Pacific, such as Tamarindo, where surf schools and restaurants stay active all month. Manuel Antonio stays popular because of the national park and the beaches, but the wet weather thins the crowds somewhat. Monteverde is quieter, with fewer people on the hanging bridges than in the peak months.

Puerto Viejo has a relaxed, in-between feel, with locals and long-stay visitors more than tour groups. San Jose is a city and keeps its normal pace regardless of the season. A quieter month usually means easier tables and rooms with more choice, so you can follow your plans more freely, though it is still wise to book places you have your heart set on.

What to pack for Costa Rica in May

Packing changes by region. For the Pacific beaches, think light, quick-drying clothes and sun protection, with a rain layer for the afternoons. For the highlands and the cloud forest, add a sweater for cool evenings, and for the Caribbean, plan on humidity and showers at any hour.

A light, packable rain jacket or poncho, since afternoon rain is part of the season.
Quick-drying clothes in breathable fabrics, because things dry slowly in the humid air.
For the beach you will want sandals, and for slippery forest paths, closed shoes that grip well.
Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, because the sun is strong in the mornings.
A light sweater for evenings in San Jose and Monteverde, and a small dry bag for your phone and camera.

Good to know before you go

The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2, ‘Exercise increased caution,’ due to crime; it says petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica and that violent crime also affects tourists, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault.

The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2, exercise increased caution, because of crime.

Several U.S. tourists drown every year because rip currents are so dangerous, and on most beaches there are no warnings or lifeguards. All year long, Costa Rica remains at UTC-6 and never adjusts its clocks.

Is May a good time to visit Costa Rica?

May is a good month for travelers who enjoy green scenery, wildlife and fewer crowds, and the north Pacific coast around Tamarindo is the best region for beach days, since it has the least rain and the most heat. The highlands are also a good choice, with cooler air, cloud forest and easier walking in the mornings. The central Pacific and the Caribbean are for people who do not mind getting wet.

Compared with April, May is wetter. April is the end of the dry season, with clearer skies on the Pacific side, while in May the afternoon rains become regular and the landscape turns green. Compared with June, May is a gentler start to the rainy season, since the green season runs from about May to November and June is deeper into it, with the rains more established.

If you plan your days around the weather, with outdoor activities in the morning and indoor ones in the afternoon, May works well almost anywhere. It also rewards flexibility, since a wet afternoon can lead to a long lunch, a coffee tasting or a quiet hour listening to the rain on a porch.

What is special about May is the change itself. The first rains arrive, the hills turn green within days, and the country feels fresh and a little unhurried, with Labor Day at the start and the forest coming alive with the green season.

Sources

Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 9.9281N 84.0907W, checked October 8, 2026
Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 10.3009N 84.8248W, checked October 8, 2026
Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 10.2993N 85.8371W, checked October 8, 2026
Open-Meteo Marine API, average 2015-2024, checked October 8, 2026
Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 9.392N 84.1366W, checked October 8, 2026
Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 9.6558N 82.7541W, checked October 8, 2026
U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Information, Safety and security (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html), checked October 8, 2026
U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Advisory, issued April 1, 2026 (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/costa-rica-travel-advisory.html), read via the State Department open data API on October 8, 2026
U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Information, Entry and exit requirements (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html), checked October 8, 2026