In June, the first afternoon showers sweep over the dirt road in Santa Teresa and the dust finally settles, leaving the jungle edges a deeper green. Surfers walk back from the beach with boards under their arms, and the smell of wet earth mixes with woodsmoke from the open-air kitchens. The green season begins here at the Nicoya Peninsula’s southwestern tip, a month offering warm water, clear mornings, and calmer streets for those seeking surf, yoga, and unhurried days.
What is the weather like in Santa Teresa in June?
June is hot, humid and green, with clear mornings and showers that usually arrive in the afternoon. It is the start of the rainy stretch on this Pacific side, so you should expect rain on most days, though much of it comes as a passing downpour and not an all-day gray.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 83.1 | 76.9 | 21.8 | 87.6 |
| June | 82.3 | 76.4 | 24.4 | 86.0 |
| July | 82.1 | 76.2 | 22.9 | 85.6 |
Mornings are the best part of the day. The sky is often clear, the air is already warm, and the light is soft enough for a surf session, a beach walk or a yoga class with the doors wide open. Plan the things you most want to do outdoors before lunch, because clouds tend to build in the early afternoon.
When the rain comes, it can be heavy for an hour or two and then lift, leaving steam rising from the road and a cooler breeze off the ocean. A few days bring longer, grayer spells. The dirt road through town turns muddy in the green season, so expect puddles, splashes and shoes that do not stay clean.
The evenings remain mild, comfortable enough for dining outdoors in a T-shirt, but a light layer helps with the damp air and the passing rain shower. Days are long and bright, with about twelve and a half hours of daylight in mid-June, so there is time for a morning outing and a late beach evening.
Can you swim in Santa Teresa in June?
The water feels warm, but the surf and currents determine whether swimming is safe. What changes the answer is not the temperature but the surf.
Santa Teresa has a surfing soul, and Pacific swells roll in along its stretch of beach breaks. In the green season the waves are often lively, and the water can be rougher than at a sheltered cove.
Rip currents are a genuine danger, and every year they cause the deaths of multiple American visitors, while at the majority of beaches there are neither lifeguards nor any notice that conditions have turned unsafe. Before you go in, ask your hotel or a surf school what the water is like that day, obey the flags wherever they are put up, and always swim with someone else.
Rip currents are a genuine danger, and most beaches have neither lifeguards nor warnings about unsafe conditions. Beginners and surfers alike do better in the morning, when the wind is lighter. When you bring small children, ask the hotel or a surf school how the water looks that day, and keep them out of the water if conditions are unsafe. Bring a rash guard for sun and board rub, and a towel for the sudden shower.
What to do in Santa Teresa in June
June is a month for the surf, for green hills and for the unhurried routine of a beach town between seasons. The crowds of the dry months thin out, the dust is gone, and the town settles into a rhythm built around clear mornings and rainy afternoons.
The mood on the dirt road is barefoot and easygoing. Small cafes serve smoothie bowls, fresh fruit and strong Costa Rican coffee, and the bakeries and juice stands fill early with surfers fresh from the water. At breakfast, seek out gallo pinto (rice and beans), and at lunch, a casado (a plate of rice, beans, salad, plantains and fish, chicken or beef), both national staples. Fresh fish and ceviche suit the warm weather.
Surfing and surf lessons
Most visitors show up for the surfing, and June is a great fit. The green season often brings steady swell to the beach breaks, and the warm water means no wetsuit is needed. Mornings are usually the cleanest, with lighter wind and clearer skies, while the afternoons can turn choppy or wet.
Beginners find surf schools and board rentals along the main road, and instructors can help you read the waves and the currents. Watch the conditions before you paddle out, since rip currents are a real danger here and most beaches have no lifeguards. Experienced surfers can follow the swell along the coast and pick the spot that fits their level.
Yoga and slow mornings
Santa Teresa has a yoga scene too, with classes taught by numerous studios and hotels in tree-ringed shalas open to the air. In June the rain on the roof and the green all around give a class a different feel from the dry months. Mornings, when the sky is usually clear, are the natural time for a session, followed by a smoothie and a swim.
If you have never tried yoga, a gentle morning class is an easy start, and many places welcome drop-ins. After a surf session, a stretching class helps tired shoulders. Bring a light layer, since open-sided rooms can feel breezy when a shower rolls in.
Beach walks, sunsets and the green hills
The long beach is a pleasure to walk at the start and end of the day. Mornings are bright and quiet, with surfers at work and birds along the tideline. Toward evening, the light turns golden, and when the clouds break the sunset over the Pacific can be spectacular, although in the green season clouds sometimes cover it.
Away from the sand, the hills behind town are lush in June, and you may hear howler monkeys or see birds in the trees along the quieter roads. Wildlife is a chance, never a promise, but the green season often makes the forest feel alive. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket for afternoon walks.
On rainy afternoons, the town has its own pleasures. Cafes make good places to read or wait out a downpour, and small shops sell handmade clothing, jewelry and surf gear. Evenings bring dinner at relaxed restaurants and sometimes live music, usually low-key and easy to join.
A two-day itinerary for Santa Teresa in June
Day 1. Start early, since clear mornings are the gift of the green season. At a cafe along the main road, order gallo pinto or a fruit bowl, then in the early hours of daylight, when the wind is lighter, take a surf lesson or a swim. Keep an eye on the waves and currents, and follow any local advice about where to get in the water.
At midday, retreat from the heat with a casado or fresh fish at a casual restaurant, then rest in the shade. When the afternoon shower arrives, which it usually does, linger over coffee, browse the small shops or take a yoga class in an open-air studio. If the rain lifts, walk the beach toward sunset and have dinner nearby.
Day 2. Rise again with the light and walk the beach in the cool of the morning, listening for monkeys and birds. Return for a late breakfast and a smoothie, and spend the hot hours in the shade, reading.
In the afternoon, if clouds gather, linger over lunch or settle in at a cafe. Once the sky clears, head to a different stretch of sand for the last light, then finish with ceviche or grilled fish at a beachside restaurant and an unhurried walk back along the dirt road.
Is Santa Teresa busy in June?
No, June is a quieter month, a shoulder moment between the dry-season crowds and the deeper green season. Surf schools and cafes are open, but the dirt road feels less crowded, and tables and rooms are easier to find than in the dry months.
The people you meet are mostly surfers, yoga travelers and visitors who prefer green hills and fewer crowds, with some families when school vacations come around. Expect easy walks along the beach, short waits at restaurants and a relaxed feel in the evenings. Check a favorite spot’s hours directly before you go.
Even in a quieter month, book your room and any rental car ahead of time, especially if you want a particular hotel or a stay close to the beach. Booking early is a good habit for any holiday week, while for the quieter weeks of the month you can plan with a little more flexibility. Check availability directly with surf schools and yoga studios before making plans.
What to pack for Santa Teresa in June
Pack for heat, humidity and afternoon showers, with clothes that dry quickly and gear that handles a muddy road.
- A light rain jacket, for the afternoon downpours that usually arrive after a clear morning.
- Quick-dry clothing, since humid air keeps cotton damp.
- Sandals and closed shoes that can get muddy, because the dirt road turns soft in the green season.
- Pack sunscreen and a hat, since the sun packs a punch in the morning.
- A rash guard, for surfing and sun protection.
- Insect repellent, for evenings near the trees.
- A dry bag for your phone and documents when a shower rolls in.
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 falls at the start of the green season, so plan for rain in the afternoons and keep mornings for your main outdoor plans. The dirt road through town is muddy at this time of year, which slows walking and driving, so allow extra time and wear shoes that can handle it.
Most beaches have no lifeguards, and rip currents are very dangerous, so take local advice on where to swim. Book rooms and any transport early for holiday weeks.
Santa Teresa in June vs May and July
Going in May means a slightly drier month with a touch more sun, and the sea is a little warmer. The green season is just beginning, so the hills are less lush, and the town may feel somewhat busier as June brings short showers and a wetter spell.
July brings a similar feel to June, with showers most days, a bit cooler water and green hills at their fullest. The crowds stay light, though some families arrive during school vacations, and rooms are generally easy to find outside those weeks.
If you want the most sun, shift toward May. If you want the greenest scenery and quiet streets, June or July both work well. Surfers who like steady swell will find good conditions in either month, so choose by how much rain you can accept.
Is June a good time to visit Santa Teresa?
Yes, June is a good time for travelers who like warm water, green hills and a calm town, and who do not mind afternoon showers. Surfers, yoga fans and people who enjoy slow days will feel at home.
It is less suited to anyone who wants guaranteed sunshine all day or a lively, crowded beach scene. If your plans depend on dry weather, another month will serve you better. On arrival, walk the beach, watch the waves for a while and get a feel for the currents before you go in, then plan your outdoor hours for the mornings. What makes June special here is the contrast, with clear, bright mornings, a sudden afternoon shower and a town that feels like it belongs to the people who live and surf there.
Sources
- Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 9.6458N 85.1698W, checked October 8, 2026
- Open-Meteo Marine API, average 2015-2024, 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 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