The amount of rain in December is normal with an average of 32mm (1.3in). The average maximum temperature lies around 32.0°C (89.6°F). For most of Costa Rica, including Tamarindo, December marks the official beginning of the “dry season,” also known as the “high season” (for tourism) or “summer” (verano) to Costa Ricans. Costa Rica is located close to the equator, so don’t forget your eco-friendly sunscreen no matter what region or time of year you’re traveling. Green is 8 inches or more. During El Niño years, Costa Rica’s rainy season starts later and ends earlier. Children are on school holidays usually starting the second week in December, so many families are on vacation and the beaches will be a bit more crowded than usual. There's a near endless procession of festivities and holiday merrymaking fit for any reveler young or old. Early December weather is unpredictable. Like any tropical region, Costa Rica also experiences a dry season between the months of December and April as well as a rainy season, which lasts from May to November. Many businesses are also closed all week. The start of the dry season is also influenced by El Niño and La Niña. Moreover, the removal of the rain favors the climatic conditions which are manifested on sunny days, allowing vacationers to indulge in all kinds of relaxing activities, regardless of the destination chosen. The stroke of midnight brings fireworks and lots of unusual traditions. Plus, there's all that natural beauty the country is famous for. Areas around San José are relatively dry during December, receiving around 1.6 inches of rainfall, but other regions like Manuel Antonio on the Pacific side and Limón on the Caribbean side receive much more. Opposite of that, December through April has very little rainfall, if any. Costa Rica has a tropical climate with high temperates throughout the year, as with most tropical destinations there are both dry and rainy seasons, although even during the wetter months there are usually plenty of hot perfect sunny days and any rainfall usually comes in … December weather in Costa Rica is still transitioning to dry season. Learn more about Costa Rica’s Rainy Season. Many Tico (native Costa Rican) children celebrate Santa Claus, and traditional food is everywhere. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a steamy 31°C (87°F), whilst at night 20°C (68°F) is normal. May through November is the rainy season in Costa Rica, but it can still rain any time of year, so bring a raincoat or poncho. One can experience great weather in the month of December. We are wanting to go to Liberia Costa Rica in early December. Answer 1 of 4: Hello, I plan to visit CR in second week of December for about a week. Thanks! Answer 1 of 4: How is the weather in December in the Caribbean area? By this point, however, the dry season has arrived in the Central Pacific (Manuel Antonio, Uvita) and North Pacific (Nicoya Peninsula, Tamarindo, Nosara). Often the rains taper off and the Pacific enjoys perfect beach weather most of the month. (ps-would you include Bocas del Toro in the weather … December-April Costa Rica's dry months usher in the most sunshine and tourists. These are the best beaches in Costa Rica in December, based on average sunshine, sea temperature, rainfall and temperature. For travelers who enjoy nature, adventure, gorgeous beaches and rainforests, and wildlife encounters, Costa Rica is a fantastic place to visit. These systems kick the dry season into gear a few weeks earlier than normal. Get the monthly weather forecast for San Jose, San José, Costa Rica, including daily high/low, historical averages, to help you plan ahead. The amount of rain in December is normal with an average of 34mm (1.3in). Costa Rica is very Catholic, and Christmas is one of the most important holidays of the year. In San José, the average high temperature gets down to 25°C in December and January, then creeps up to 26°C in February, 28°C in March and back to 30°C in April. See New Years in Costa Rica, Costa Rica’s most famous indigenous ceremony is held in late December / early January. (Puerto Viejo)..better or worse than Osa Peninsula area? By late December the situation changes dramatically. December is the middle of the winter season for most of the northern countries. BBC Weather in association with MeteoGroup. Early December is also the start of the dry season in San Jose and the Central Valley. The following outlines what you should expect regionally at this time of the year. In the much wetter South Pacific, however, dry season might not arrive until mid-December. Visitors will find not only some of the most favorable weather of the year but many fun events ranging from holiday festivals with music and dazzling lights to horse parades with drinking, dancing, and locals dressed as cowboys. El Niño and La Niña weather systems can occasionally impact Costa Rica. Rainfall in Costa Rica. Costa Rica in December has great weather. Kirsten Hubbard is a travel writer and expert who specializes in Central America. When you travel to Costa Rica in December you can expect: the occasional fog, every now and then rain, exceptionally thunderstorm and expect hot and full of sun weather. This is a great time to check out some of Costa Rica’s uncrowded hidden gems, which I cover in my book Costa Rica: The Complete Guide. Travelers should also be aware of. El Niño and La Niña weather systems can occasionally impact Costa Rica. The average minimum temperature (usually the minimum temperature is noted during the night) in Matapalo in December is 21.0°C (69.8°F). The amount of rainfall in Costa Rica does fluctuate fairly drastically. Because it’s the end of the rainy season and the start of the dry season, the entire country is lush and green. Since December is the peak travel season in Costa Rica, it's a more expensive time, so book your accommodation and other reservations early. It also includes the inland towns of Siquirres and Guapiles as well as lush ribbons of rainforest, white sand beaches and coral reef. Costa Rica Tourism Costa Rica Hotels Costa Rica Bed and Breakfast Costa Rica Vacation Rentals Costa Rica Vacation Packages Flights to Costa Rica The Pacific side and Central part of the country will see vast improvements in weather, and the Caribbean side will experience a fair amount of rain. My name is James Kaiser, and I believe travel should be fun, affordable and enlightening—especially in national parks, where there's so much to experience. In La Niña years, Costa Rica experiences longer rainy seasons and higher than average rainfall. In December you have very little chance of dealing with rain (but it can still happen especially during the beginning of the month). In January, the average high-temperature is essentially the same as in December - a still warm 29°C (84.2°F). Find out how best to enjoy Costa Rica during the December holiday season with this Months of rain can cause landslides that lead to road closures and other detours. This Central American country is an amazing option for those who are looking to get away from the cold winter that some countries experience during December. The country's dry season, from late November through April, is the most popular (and expensive) time to visit. In December, in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, the average low-temperature is 22°C (71.6°F). Answer 1 of 4: Hi: I read that the dry season in Costa Rica starts from December; some material i read says late December. Weather in: December. All times are CST (America/Costa_Rica, GMT -0600) unless otherwise stated. The average temperaturein Guanacaste Regionin Decemberis 27°. Get the Costa Rica weather forecast. Costa Rica weather in December. However, occasionally the rainy season continues full force right past Christmas (2017 was abnormally wet well into January along the central and southern Pacific).On the other hand, in 2013 through the El Niño drought of 2015 it was like someone threw a switch in mid-November. Although the Papagayo Winds are dangerous for boaters, they delight surfers with powerful offshore winds. Costa Rica is a small country, but it's also home to 12 different microclimates, which can make packing tricky. If you're spending time on the beach, a few other helpful items include: Costa Ricans love a good celebration, and there are tons of cool events to take part in during the month of December. On Christmas Day and the week after December 25, most of Costa Rica erupts in celebrations with fireworks, fruits, and festivals. It is an ideal season that boasts plenty of sunshine, rainforests, and sun-kissed beaches. From May to November, the rainfall is quite heavy, with the most rain coming in September and October. These weather patterns can shift, however, due to El Niño or La Niña. Liberia December weather guide. Thanks. December marks the start of a weather phenomenon called the Papagayo Winds. Not surprisingly, late December is considered one of the best times to visit Costa Rica. Also pack hiking boots or comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a sun hat. While the Christmas season is an extraordinary time to visit Costa Rica, it’s also hectic. Pacific Coast: 69˙ – 89˙ F (21˙ – 32˙ C)San José: 59˙ – 73˙ F (15˙ – 23˙ C)Caribbean Coast: 69˙ – 88˙ F (21˙ – 31˙ C), Sunrise – 5:45am – 5:55amSunset – 5:15pm – 5:30pm. Daytime temperatures usually reach 23°C in San Jose, Costa Rica in December, falling to 16°C at night. Costa Rica. December marks the beginning of the dry season for most of Costa Rica. Visit Costa Rica in early December and the rainy season still lingers in the south Pacific (Osa Peninsula, Corcovado, Drake Bay). In all but the wettest years, late December marks the dry season along the entire Pacific coast. This also coincides with Christmas, school vacation, and millions of North Americans daydreaming of tropical vacations. See AlsoCosta Rica in NovemberCosta Rica in January. Access hourly, 10 day and 15 day forecasts along with up to the minute reports and videos from AccuWeather.com The country as a whole is quite humid, with humidity occasionally exceeding 88 percent in many areas. The minimum temperature is 22°in the … In most of the country, the rainy season is officially over by the middle of November, when the climate gets a bit colder, windier, and less muggy, providing gorgeous clear skies and sunny days. See Fiesta de los Diablitos. But there’s a big difference between traveling to Costa Rica in early December and traveling in late December. If you're planning to drive, roads can be tricky in early December, especially in more rural areas. The range of average daytime temperatures are around 25℃ and 28℃. Average December temperatures for cities and other locations throughout Costa Rica are listed below in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit. If you are visiting Costa Rica in December, then it is the peak tourist travel season. The #1 Costa Rica guidebook.Full-color and filled with insider tips.Plan the ultimate Costa Rica adventure! The average minimum temperature (usually the minimum temperature is noted during the night) in Manuel Antonio in December is 17.0°C (62.6°F). Located in northwest Costa Rica, the area known as Guanacaste sits on the lowlands and features a generally warm and arid climate. Down in the Osa Peninsula, near Costa Rica's border with Panama, it rains more frequently and the weather is more similar to the Caribbean region, though the dry season remains the same as the rest of the Pacific. Though many factors can come into play when choosing your beach destination, the beach weather will often be a deciding factor. More and more sun and less and less precipitation is the norm for the month, but it is still possible that it rains much of the time, particularly on the Caribbean side of the country. How sunny is it in Costa Rica in December? Average Weather during December in Matapalo, Costa Rica. In Tamarindo, December is a time of bright sun, few clouds, and fewer and fewer afternoon rain showers. Everything You Need to Know Before You Go to Costa Rica, The Weather and Climate in the Czech Republic, April in Costa Rica: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See, December in New Zealand: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See, December in London: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See, December in Australia: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See, The Best Time to Visit Ho Chi Minh City for Nice Weather and Events, July in Costa Rica: Weather and Event Guide, The Weather and Climate in Central America, Plan Your March Trip to Costa Rica With This Weather and Event Guide, December in Costa Rica: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See. The Caribbean weather region stretches from Tortuguero in the north all the way down to Gandoca Manzanillo at Costa Rica's southern tip. Yellow is 6 inches or less. With temperatures varying between 20° C and 30° C; a pleasant heat characterizes the weather throughout December in Costa Rica. These strong winds, which reach speeds of 50 mph with gusts topping 100 mph (a speed normally found only in major hurricanes), blow along Costa Rica’s north Pacific coast for days at a time. Pack these in your checked bag; they’re expensive to buy in Costa Rica. In late December Costa Rica hotels are booked months in advance. But there’s a big difference between traveling to Costa Rica in early December and traveling in late December. This happens in much of Central America during this time of the year. Average Weather during December in Manuel Antonio (Puntarenas), Costa Rica. Instead, you will have hot temperatures on the Pacific coast, warm windy weather in San Jose, and … There are normally 6 hours of bright sunshine each day in San Jose, Costa Rica in December - that's 55% of daylight hours . How is the weather in December ? During El Niño years, Costa Rica experiences higher temperatures, shorter rainy seasons and greater drought. It’s peak travel season — both for foreigners and Costa Ricans alike. Blue is 20 inches or more. Since December is the peak travel season in Costa Rica, it's a more expensive time, so book your accommodation and other reservations early. Despite the crowds, there’s nothing like saying Feliz navidad or Feliz año nuevo on a beautiful beach with palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze. These systems kick the dry season into gear a few weeks earlier than normal. And bring along some eco-friendly bug spray as well. Even if you can find a room, expect to pay “peak season” prices. The average minimum temperaturein Guanacaste Regionin Decemberis 22°. Ideally, confirm reservations before the end of October. Overall, Costa Rica weather experiences a climate ranging from tropical humidity to tropical Pacific temperatures, while passing through a rather temperate zone in the center of the country. As a general rule, casual attire is OK throughout the country. It is coolest in December and January then heats back up, reaching the year's highest temperatures in April. most popular (and expensive) time to visit, San José: 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) / 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius), Puerto Limón: 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius) / 69 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), Alajuela: 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) / 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius), Heredia: 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) / 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius). Dry season often arrives in Northwest Costa Rica by mid-November. The rainfall map below shows which Costa Rica regions experience the most rain. The rain stoppe… Weather in January » Check temperature, rainfall & sunshine averages & more in December 2020 in Liberia, Costa Rica Restaurants and tours are also packed, and renting a car can be tricky. December is Costa Rica's peak travel season. Dry season in the Central Valley (Dec.-April) Because it’s the end of the rainy season and the start of the dry season, the entire country is lush and green. This eye-popping Costa Rica draws the maximum number of Costa Ricans and foreigners alike. The average temperature ranges is 26°in the previous month and 28°in the next month. January, like December, in Dominical, Costa Rica, is a moderately hot winter month, with average temperature varying between 29°C (84.2°F) and 22°C (71.6°F). The latter can receive upwards of 12 inches throughout December. The climate in Costa Rica during December can be summarized as hot, humid and wet. The best thing about early December: low prices and greater availability at hotels. 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