In June, the morning mist in Monteverde lifts slowly off the ridges, and hummingbirds crowd the feeders while the first coffee of the day is still steaming. The forest is most saturated, with moss dripping from every branch and orchids opening along the trails. This is the green season in the cloud forest, a month for early starts, rain jackets and long, quiet afternoons under a roof with a hot drink.
What is the weather like in Monteverde in June?
June in Monteverde is cool, damp and green, with clear mornings that often give way to afternoon showers, and rain on most days of the month. You can feel how it sits between the months on either side.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | 78.0 | 66.2 | 17.2 |
| June | 76.0 | 66.3 | 22.0 |
| July | 75.7 | 65.8 | 17.1 |
The rain is the main thing to plan around. It usually falls in the afternoon, so the mornings are your best window for the hanging bridges, the long forest trails and any bird watching. Showers can be steady rather than brief, and heavy downpours do happen on a couple of days. On a gray day the mist can sit in the trees for hours, which is atmospheric but hides distant views.
Days are generally comfortably cool, and evenings feel fresher because of the altitude. A fleece or light sweater is welcome after dark, and a real rain jacket matters more than an umbrella, which is awkward on narrow trails. Daylight lasts a little under thirteen hours, so the light fades in the early evening and dinner tends to be an indoor, unhurried affair.
Do not expect a guaranteed clear sky or a sure view of the valley. Some mornings are bright and sharp, others are wrapped in cloud from dawn. Treat it as part of the cloud forest, where the weather is half the show.
What to do in Monteverde in June
The best thing to do in Monteverde in June is walk the cloud forest in the morning and save the afternoon for something under cover. This is the start of the green season on the Pacific side, and the forest rewards it with fresh growth, dripping ferns and a dense chorus of birds. Mornings tend to be clear, so that is when to be on the trail.
Crowds thin compared with the dry months, which makes the trails calmer and the guided walks feel more personal. A guide can make wildlife easier to spot, though every outing is different. Wildlife is always a chance, never a promise, and the wet weather can keep some creatures tucked away.
Cloud forest reserves and hanging bridges
Most visitors head to this area for the cloud forest reserves near Santa Elena. Trails wind beneath huge trees covered in epiphytes, while separate canopy parks offer suspended bridges that put you level with the treetops. In June the moss and bromeliads are at their lushest, and the mist drifting between the trunks gives the walk a hushed, almost theatrical feel.
Go as early as the gates allow, when the air is clearest and the birds are most active. The reserves sit on the steep roads above town, so allow extra time to reach them, since the last stretch is bumpy and partly unpaved. Wear shoes with grip, because the trails are slick after the previous afternoon’s rain.
Because rules and trail conditions can shift, look at the official page for every reserve before you set out. This is the outing that suits nearly everyone, from first-time visitors to keen birders, as long as they are happy to walk in damp air.
Ziplines, birds and wet-weather afternoons
Monteverde is known for canopy adventures, and a morning zipline or canopy tour is a lively way to see the forest from above. Mornings are the better bet in June, since afternoon rain can turn the experience cold and gray. If the sky looks promising at breakfast, do the active outing first.
When the showers settle in, the afternoon belongs to quieter pleasures. Hummingbird gardens are a joy in the damp, with dozens of tiny birds darting to the feeders. Butterfly and frog exhibits, small museums and craft shops in Santa Elena keep the hours easy, and a coffee farm visit fits a wet afternoon well.
Night walks in the forest are another popular choice, with guides pointing out insects, frogs and sleeping birds by flashlight. The damp air often brings more activity after dark, though what you see is always up to luck.
Coffee, chocolate and what to eat
The highlands grow excellent coffee, and a tour of a working farm walks you from the shrub to the cup. Chocolate and sugarcane tastings often sit alongside it, and the warm drinks suit the cool, wet weather perfectly. It is an easy half-day plan that does not depend on the sky.
When you sit down to eat, seek out a casado, the standard lunch plate that brings together rice, beans, plantain, salad and your pick of meat or fish. Gallo pinto, the rice and beans cooked together, appears at breakfast with eggs and fresh cheese. A bowl of hot soup after a damp walk is a small pleasure that fits June well.
Small family restaurants in Santa Elena and the local cheese tradition of the area give the food a mountain character. Evenings are cool, so a warm dining room beats a terrace.
A two-day itinerary for Monteverde in June
Day 1. Begin the day early with gallo pinto and coffee from the region, then set out for a cloud forest reserve before the morning loses its clarity. Walk the trails and the hanging bridges slowly, stopping for birds and the sight of mist moving through the trees. Aim to finish the main walk by midday, before the afternoon showers usually arrive.
Have a casado lunch at a simple family place in Santa Elena, then spend the wet part of the afternoon in a hummingbird garden or a butterfly exhibit. Dinner can be unhurried and warm, in a restaurant with a fireplace or a covered dining room, since evenings are cool and the light fades early.
Day 2. Book an early canopy tour or zipline for the clearest hours of the morning, when you get the best chance of views and drier air. Afterward, warm up with a coffee and chocolate farm visit, but keep your rain jacket handy.
Spend the afternoon browsing craft shops and cafés in Santa Elena, with a small museum as the rain card if the downpour is heavy. In the evening, join a guided night walk if the weather allows, or settle into a long dinner and an early night before the road out.
Is Monteverde busy in June?
Monteverde is moderately quiet in June, since this is the green season and the busiest dry-season weeks are behind you. Trails and lodges feel calmer, and you are more likely to have a hanging bridge or a viewpoint to yourself, especially in the early morning.
Travelers who come now are mostly nature lovers, birders, couples and families on school breaks, rather than the larger holiday crowds. Rooms are easier to find than at the peak of the dry months, and restaurant tables rarely need long planning. Still, the town is small, so book ahead if you have a particular place in mind.
Whether you travel by rental car or transfer, allow extra time because the final climb is steep and slow. Night walks, canopy tours and guided outings are popular choices, so decide which ones matter most and keep the rest flexible around the weather.
If you want the quietest experience, go to the trails first thing in the morning and keep the afternoon for indoor stops. The mood in the streets is relaxed, with plenty of time to linger over coffee.
What to pack for Monteverde in June
Pack for cool, wet and muddy days rather than for the beach, and keep everything you care about in a dry bag.
- A real rain jacket, because showers can be steady and umbrellas are awkward on trails.
- Waterproof shoes with good grip, since paths are slick and muddy.
- A fleece or sweater for cool evenings at altitude.
- Quick-drying layers, because damp clothes take a long time to dry.
- Binoculars for birds and canopy animals.
- A small dry bag or rain cover for your camera and phone.
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.
June marks the beginning of the green season, so schedule your outdoor adventures for the morning and leave the afternoon open. The final part of the climb up to Monteverde and Santa Elena gets steep and bumpy, and some of it is not paved, so give yourself more time than the map seems to call for. Arrive in daylight if you can, and book your first outing before the rest of the trip.
Monteverde in June vs May and July
Moving the trip earlier to May brings slightly warmer days and a little less rain, as the green season is just settling in. The forest is already lush, but the afternoon showers can feel less relentless. If you want a gentler introduction to the wet months, May is an easier way in.
July is a little cooler and noticeably less wet, with fewer rainy days than June. Some travelers find the skies break more often, giving better chances of clear stretches in the day. It can also be busier, since summer vacations bring more visitors to the cloud forest.
Choose June if you like a very damp, green forest, with quieter trails and a moody, misty feel. Shift toward July if you want a bit more drying between showers, and toward May if you prefer warmer days and an easier start to the rainy season.
Is June a good time to visit Monteverde?
Yes, June is a good time for travelers who love moss, mist and birdsong more than sunshine, and who are happy to walk in the morning and rest in the afternoon. It suits birders, photographers, couples and anyone who wants calmer trails than the dry months bring.
It is a weaker fit for anyone counting on big views, dry hikes or a sun-filled week. If clear skies matter more than atmosphere, another month will serve you better. Families with young children can enjoy it too, as long as plans stay flexible and indoor options are close.
On arrival, book the morning walk or canopy outing first, since those depend on the clearest hours. After that, plan your remaining days according to the conditions, letting coffee farms, hummingbird gardens and cozy dining rooms occupy the afternoons. What makes June special is the forest itself, glistening and nearly empty at dawn, with the mist still hanging in the trees.
Sources
- Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 10.3009N 84.8248W, checked October 8, 2026
- sunrise-sunset.org, sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of the month, 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
To plan your stay
- Things to Do in Monteverde: Cloud Forest Walks, Hanging Bridges, Night Walks and Day Trips
- Where to Stay in Monteverde: Santa Elena, Cerro Plano, Forest Lodges and How to Choose
- Monteverde Cloud Forest: Quetzals, Trails, Weather and How to Visit
- Best Time to Visit Monteverde: Dry Season, Green Season, Weather by Month and Holiday Crowds