Costa Rica Weather in August 2025: Height of the Rainy Season

August marks the height of the rainy and "green" season in Costa Rica. There are isolated regions and places in the country that do see ample amounts of sunshine, but it is, overall, a very wet period of the year, and places like Monteverde and Manuel Antonio will be rainier still.

These rains give way to glisteningly green foliage countrywide and visitors to the country will have the luxury the take in these gorgeous landscapes with high chances of spotting wildlife. Although temperatures will vary from place to place, you can expect average temperatures to range from highs of around 32°C (90°F) to lows of around 16°C (61°F).

August is not part of the tourist high season in Costa Rica. No matter where you go, whether it's one of the country's famous national parks or one of its countless beautiful beaches, it'll be relatively quiet and peaceful. The fact that it's not a very busy time to be visiting the country also means it's a lot less expensive than it would be during the first four months of the year.

August is a very wet month in Costa Rica. While it may be impossible to avoid the rains during your travels in the country during this month, making sure you have the following items packed will go a long way in ensuring your comfort: quick drying tops and shorts, lightweight pants or capris, tennis shoes, sandals, reef shoes, swimwear, a raincoat or poncho, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhats, and a pair of binoculars for your national park visits.

To better understand what Costa Rica is like when it comes to climate and weather conditions during the month of August, continue reading below.

Costa Rica Weather in August: Overview

• Average temperature range: 16°C (61°F) – 32°C (90°F)
• Rainfall: 350 mm (14 inches) in San Jose; 270 mm (11 inches) in Manuel Antonio; 200 mm (8 inches) in Puerto Viejo.
• Rainy days: 26 in San Jose; 18 in Manuel Antonio; 19 in Puerto Viejo.

Costa Rica's hurricane season runs from June to November. As such, it's recommended travelers to the country always check local and national weather forecasts as frequently as possible, to ensure their safety and remain updated of the latest developments. That being said, Costa Rica's latitudinal position is such that the country is very rarely directly hit by any hurricanes that develop in the region.

Depending on where you are in Costa Rica, temperatures will vary. You can expect average maximum temperatures to hover around the 23°C (73°F) mark in San Jose, 32°C (90°F) mark in Manuel Antonio, and 31°C (88°F) mark in Puerto Viejo. As for the average minimum temperatures, they'd be closer to the 16°C (61°F) mark in San Jose, 21°C (72°F) mark in Manuel Antonio, and 23°C (73°F) mark in Puerto Viejo.

August is a splendid time to be in the country if you're looking to enjoy beautiful green landscapes brought on by the tropical rains. There are also areas in the country that remain somewhat dry, meaning you could, realistically, also get your dose of time on the beach if you plan things right. One of Costa Rica's biggest religious festivals takes place during August as well. Finally, the fact that all of this is possible without having to deal with the usually large crowds of tourists that are the norm in the country during the first few months of the year is a bonus for traveling to this Central American paradise during August.

Weather of Costa Rica's Major Cities in August

Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica in August

1.San Jose

San Jose is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, and the hub of culture and entertainment in the country. The city is home to some of the best dining and nightlife options of anywhere in Latin America, and we recommend you extend your stay in the city by a few extra days in August and coincide your plans with the annual Virgin of Los Angeles Day celebrations. By doing so, you'll be able to witness the grand pilgrimage processions that go all the way to nearby Cartago to pay the country's patron saint their respects and wishes.

2.Tamarindo

Tamarindo is quiet and peaceful in the busiest of months and this makes the coastal destination a no-brainer to visit during the off-season month of August. Moreover, while you may experience the occasional rainfall in Tamarindo during August, it is drier than most others, with the sun shining its brightest best for most of the month. Enjoy fishing, swimming, surfing, and relaxing on the beach during your time here without having to incessantly worry about the rains!

3.Puerto Viejo

The Caribbean coast stays much drier than its Pacific counterpart during August and Puerto Viejo, located close to the border with Panama, is another destination that stays relatively dry during this time. In August, you'll be treated to long hours of sunshine during which to explore Puerto Viejo's gorgeous stretch of coastline by way of swimming, snorkeling, and biking around.

August Crowds and Costs

Not many travelers make the journey to Costa Rica during the month of August. It's relatively quiet, empty, and immensely peaceful in most parts of the country during this time, meaning you can enjoy many a beach and national park without having to worry about wading your way through large groups of tourists.

The fact that August is not part of the tourist high season also means prices are largely favorable for those that do visit the country around this time. Depending on when you book your flights and hotels, you could pay anywhere between 30-50% less than what you'd have to pay during the first quarter of the year.

August Events in Costa Rica

Virgin of Los Angeles Day: The Virgin of Los Angeles, also known as La Negrita, is Costa Rica's patron saint, and on August 2 every year, thousands of people make a pilgrimage to the cathedral in Cartago (not far from San Jose) where the saint is housed, to pay their respects and ask for wishes. The day commemorates the apparition of the Virgin Mary to a local woman that took place in the 17th century, and this national holiday – the third biggest in the country after Easter and Christmas – is marked by numerous religious processions and masses.

What to Wear in Costa Rica in August

August is smackdab in the middle of the rainy season in Costa Rica. Even in places that see more sunshine than others during this month, there is a high chance it'll rain for at least much of the month. While it may be impossible, then, to avoid the rains during your August travels to the country, just making sure you have the right items packed will go a long way in making sure you're as comfortable – and dry – as possible.

Ideally, you'll want to make sure your packing list includes the following items: quick-drying tops and shorts, a raincoat or poncho, lightweight pants or capris, tennis shoes, sandals, swimwear, reef shoes, mosquito repellant, sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, and binoculars if you plan on visiting one of the national parks.

Explore Costa Rica with Global Highlights

If you're reading this, you're probably planning your dream vacation to gorgeous Costa Rica! That's just perfect because our travel experts here at Global Highlights go above and beyond in making sure your itinerary is as well planned yet personal as you like. We take immense pride in making sure you have a memorable time in Costa Rica, and we use our expertise and attention to detail to curate trips for you and your loved ones that are both unique and dreamy. We'll keep everything from weather conditions to special interests in mind, so that you can just relax and take in the good times!