Costa Rica Weather in February 2025: Travel Tips for First-Timers

Weather-wise, February is inch-perfect in Costa Rica. It's warm without being overly hot during the days, and cool without being overly chilly during the evenings. Most importantly, it's sunny, dry, and mostly rain-free. Average temperatures during February range from maximums of 32°C (90°F) to lows of 15°C (59°F).

The perfect February weather results in the month being part of the high tourist season in Costa Rica. It's certainly not as crowded during February as it is during the previous month, but the arrival of the Puntarenas Carnival during this time does attract a lot of tourists to its coasts. As part of the high season, February features inflated prices for accommodation, airfare, transportation. It's best to book in advance if possible, so you don't miss out on the best deals available.

While there's very little chance of it raining in most places in Costa Rica in February, it's best to stay prepared by packing an umbrella or a light raincoat if you're planning a stop in Puerto Viejo or Manuel Antonio during this time as these places are known for experiencing the odd rain shower during the month.

Your other packing essentials for February in Costa Rica should include plenty of cotton or linen tops, shorts, pants, dresses, long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts and jackets for the cooler evening temperatures, sunglasses, sunscreen, sunhats, socks, trusted sandals, shoes, reef shoes, swimwear, and a pair of trail shoes if you intend to spend some time hiking or exploring the mountainous regions of the country.

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

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Costa Rica Weather in February: Overview

Averages: 

• Average temperature range: 15°C (59°F) – 32°C (90°F)
• Rainfall: 40 mm (1.5 inches) in San Jose; 115 mm (4.5 inches) in Manuel Antonio; 135 mm (5.5 inches) in Puerto Viejo.
• Rainy days: 7 in San Jose; 6 in Manuel Antonio; 10 in Puerto Viejo.

Although the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica experiences slightly more rainfall when compared to the Pacific coast of the country, these numbers are largely negligible. While the occasional rain shower can be expected in some parts of the east coast, most of the country, regardless of the coast, is mostly dry.

Average temperatures, however, do vary more substantially depending on where in the country you're traveling to. The average highs touch 24°C (75°F) in San Jose, 28°C (82°F) in Manuel Antonio, and 27°C (82°F) in Puerto Viejo. The average lows, on the other hand, are closer to 15°C (59°F) in San Jose, 23°C (73°F) in Manuel Antonio, and 22°C (72°F) in Puerto Viejo.

February in Costa Rica is simply sublime! The weather is perfect, and the crowds are relatively thinner, so if you're looking to spend some time on the beach soaking in the sun, or exploring one of the country's incredible hiking trails, or attending the famous Puntarenas Carnival, February is the time to be there!

Weather of Costa Rica's Major Cities in February

Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica in February

1.Manuel Antonio National Park

If you're in the mood to relax on the beach and soak up the sun but also explore some of Costa Rica's best preserved hiking paths and rainforests, Manuel Antonio National Park is the place for you to go! You might experience the odd drizzle now and again, but these won't be disruptive to your plans in any way. The National Park is home to some incredible flora and fauna like eucalyptus and beach almond, as well as monkeys, iguanas, and sloths.

2.Jaco

Sitting north of Manuel Antonio lies the picturesque seaside town of Jaco famous for its surfing, fishing, and splendid beaches. There's very little chance of rain in Jaco in February, meaning you can enjoy these activities without having to worry about inclement weather. Jaco also offers visitors accommodation options ranging from cute boutique hotels perched on lush-green hilltops to the time-tested luxury resorts, so there's something for everyone.

3.Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a very popular beach town known for its boat safaris, fishing, and surfing. There's almost no chance of it raining here during February, meaning you can explore the town, soak up the sun, and enjoy the nightlife on offer without having to worry about getting wet. What separates Tamarindo from many other popular beach towns in Costa Rica is the fact that it has everything you'd expect from your postcard Costa Rican holiday without it being overly busy or touristy.

February Crowds and Costs

February is also part of the high season in Costa Rica. While crowds are certainly thinner when compared to January, you can still expect it to be quite busy in most places around the country. The Puntarenas Carnival is also responsible for attracting large crowds to the region. It does, however, get quieter towards the end of the month, by which time most local tourists have concluded their holidays.

Given the fact that most of February is quite busy, prices for accommodation, airfare, and transportation all remain quite high during this time. It's best to book in advance if you're looking for good deals on any of these.

February Events in Costa Rica

Puntarenas Carnival: The Puntarenas Carnival is also known as the Carnival of the Queen or Carnaval de la Reina. The festival takes place over the course of a week in either February or March, depending on the year. As one of the most popular Costa Rican festivals, visitors from all around the world flock to the coastal city of Puntarenas to partake in festivities that include a coronation of the carnival queen, parades, fireworks, concerts, and beauty pageants. The locals take immense pride in celebrating their regional pride and collective identity during this special time of year.

Liberia Fiestas: Guanacaste's cowboy history and tradition is at the forefront of the region's focus during the latter stages of February when the province's city of Liberia hosts the Liberia Fiestas. Horse parades, rodeos, concerts, and dances form the core of the celebrations during this much anticipated festival.

CENAC Summer Festival: Held in the capital city of San Jose during mid-February, the CENAC Summer Festival is organized by the Ministry of Youth and Culture to showcase the country's long history and relationship with theatre, film, music, dance, and literature. The best part? It's free to attend!

What to Wear in Costa Rica in February

Although there's very little chance of it raining during February in Costa Rica, it's best to pack and keep an umbrella or light raincoat on you, especially if you plan on visiting Manuel Antonio or Puerto Viejo as these places do experience the odd rain shower during this time of the year.

The glorious weather during this month means your packing necessities ought to feature plenty of linen or cotton tops, shorts, long-sleeved shirts, dresses, pants, sweatshirts or light jackets for the cooler evening hours, sunglasses, sunscreen, sunhats, socks, sturdy footwear including sandals and shoes, reef shoes, swimwear, and a pair of trusted trail shoes if you plan on exploring some of the country's hiking trails.

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!