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

March makes for perfect beach weather in Costa Rica. It's dry and sunny in most parts of the country, and you can enjoy your travels without having to worry about the rains in the slightest. The days are starting to warm and an average temperature high of 30°C (86°F) and low of 15°C (59°F) can be expected nationwide during March.

Although not as busy or crowded as April, March continues to be a very popular time to visit Costa Rica. The beautiful weather attracts a lot of tourists to the country's shores meaning you're like to come across crowds in most places. This also results in slightly inflated prices for accommodation and airfare, so it's best to book as far in advance as possible if you don't want to pay over the odds.

While most of Costa Rica remains warm and dry in March, there are a few places that experience cooler temperatures and wet conditions. A complete list of items to pack for your trip to Costa Rica ought to include the following: a light raincoat or poncho, a few sweaters or jackets, linen or cotton tops, shorts, dresses, pants, swimwear, reef shoes, hiking shoes, sandals, sunglasses, sunhats, and sunscreen.

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

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• Weather Overview
• Major City Weather
• Best Places to Visit
• Crowds and Cost
• What to Wear

Costa Rica Weather in March: Overview

Average:

• Average temperature range: 15°C (59°F) – 30°C (86°F)
• Rainfall: 45 mm (2 inches) in San Jose; 110 mm (4.5 inches) in Manuel Antonio; 120 mm (4.5 inches) in Puerto Viejo.
• Rainy days: 7 in San Jose; 7 in Manuel Antonio; 10 in Puerto Viejo.

It rains more in certain parts of Costa Rica than it does in others. In March, the Caribbean coast experiences slightly more rainfall than does the Pacific one, but even so, these numbers are not significant.

Average temperatures, too, vary from region to region in Costa Rica. The average maximum daytime temperatures hover around the 26°C (79°F) mark in San Jose, 28°C (82°F) in Manuel Antonio, and 28°C (82°F) in Puerto Viejo. The average minimum nighttime temperatures are closer to 15°C (59°F) in San Jose, 23°C (73°F) in Manuel Antonio, and 23°C (73°F) in Puerto Viejo.

While March provides absolutely gorgeous weather conditions to be out and about exploring the beaches of Costa Rica soaking up the sun or surfing, this time of year is also ideal for bird watching and animal spotting in Manuel Antonio National Park.

Weather of Costa Rica's Major Cities in March

Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica in March

1.Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

There are very few places on the planet quite as stunning in their biodiversity as the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The reserve is home to flora and fauna ranging from ferns and bromeliads to monkeys and quetzals, and the huge moss-enveloped trees make for the perfect cover if you're a bird-watching enthusiast.

2.Nosara

Nosara is a laid-back beach town famous for its beaches, surfing, and world-class wellness retreats. It has everything you'd find in some of the other, more popular, beach towns in Costa Rica without the overwhelmingly large crowds around. If your primary focus is to relax and recharge your batteries, Nosara might be worth the visit.

3.San Jose

One of the most cosmopolitan cities in Latin America, San Jose is much more than just the administrative and political capital of Costa Rica; it's the cultural, literary, culinary, and fashion hub of the nation as well, providing visitors with the opportunity to visit world-renowned museums and top-rated restaurants. In March, San Jose also hosts the International Festival of the Arts, an event organized to celebrate – and appreciate – literature, theatre, and music, from around the globe.

March Crowds and Costs

March continues to be part of the tourist high season in Costa Rica. While it's not as busy or crowded as it is during Easter in April, the terrific March weather does attract a lot of tourists to the country.

As a result, you can expect slightly higher prices for airfare and accommodation, if you're booking last minute. It's best to avoid paying these inflated prices by booking as far out in advance as possible.

March Events in Costa Rica

Dia de Boyero: Dia de Boyero, or National Boyero Day came into existence in 1988 when the Costa Rican government decided to honor the country's boyeros, or oxcart drivers, on the second Sunday of every March. The idea behind having this day stamped into the Costa Rican calendar is so that the importance of oxcarts and oxcart drivers is never undermined, and that the day can serve as a reminder of the same.

The small agricultural city of San Antonio (Escazu) comes alive during Dia de Boyero when the townspeople take to the streets to honor this history by hand-painting and parading their best oxcarts.

International Festival of the Arts: The International Festival of the Arts, or The Festival Internacional de las Artes, is a two-week long celebration of the arts, including theatre, literature, and music, from around the world. Although the exact dates of the festival differ from year to year, it is usually celebrated in mid-to-late March, and sometimes even in April. A number of different prestigious addresses in San Jose like the Sabana Metropolitan Park and the National Theatre host performances and concerts.

What to Wear in Costa Rica in March

Most of Costa Rica will be warm and dry, except for Monteverde and San Jose where March temperatures plummet a little bit, and a few places on the Caribbean coast that experience the odd rain shower during this time of year. For these places, it's best to pack a few light sweaters or jackets, and a raincoat or poncho, respectively.

A comprehensive list of other essentials to include for your trip to Costa Rica in March ought to include the following items: tops made of soft, breathable, fabrics like cotton and linen, pants, shorts, sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, sandals, shoes, reef shoes, swimwear, and a pair of reliable hiking shoes.

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!