What to Really Expect During Tamarindo Rainy Season

We know how it is because we do it, too. You plan a tropical vacation and start wondering how the weather will be while you are there. You start searching the weather apps for your vacation spot and find out that the forecast for the week you plan to visit is forecasting a full week of rain! This is exactly what you will find if you search for the weather in Tamarindo or anywhere else in the province of Guanacaste right now. It’s Guanacaste rainy season and while the daily forecast may show rain every day for the next few months, that is not quite what you will find when you arrive.

Guanacaste Rainy Season

Guanacaste rainy season takes place between May and late November and is known for having monsoon-type rains following months of the dry season, when near-zero rainfall can occur from December to April. Rainy season certainly makes up for the dry months, sometimes raining every day during the wettest months, such as October. But what does Guanacaste’s rainy season really look like? As we said, you may have seen a full forecast of rain but do not let that weather app fool you. Daily rains during a Guanacaste rainy season are not the vacation-ruining, all-day rains you are imagining. Daily rains during a Guanacaste rainy season can range from a short blast of rain in the morning and sunshine all day, to a regular afternoon downpour in the late afternoon or early evening that ends in under an hour, to an all-night shower. No matter which you get, you rarely lose a full day to rain in this province, home of the endangered tropical dry forest. When it does rain, particularly during the first few months of rainy season, you will find that the heat and parched ground dries up the water and mud quite quickly. Chances are, it will not rain every day, especially between May and August. There is even a respite from the Guanacaste rainy season for about two weeks at the end of June and the end of July called “veranillo”, or little summer.

Tourism is still up and running during Guanacaste rainy season. The rain here is not cold and often provides a welcome relief from the heat. The typical day time high during Guanacaste rainy season is still very warm. Expect temperatures to reach near 30 degrees Celsius (86 F) during the early afternoon, even during rainy season. If it is raining, you will likely get a reprieve of around 25 degrees (77 F) or less. Rainy season can even be the best time to see certain features. For example, waterfalls are more magnificent during rainy season as they will be full and at their peak size. Close to Liberia is the Llanos de Cortez Waterfall, which will be at its fullest and the surrounding cliffs will be at their greenest. White water rafting around the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano will also be at its best during the full rivers of rainy season.

Check out our favorite rainy season tours!

If you want to avoid the throng of tourists and get better rates for lodging, the early months of rainy season are a great time to travel in Guanacaste. Visitors during Guanacaste rainy season will likely appreciate more eco-tourism attractions, with rivers running higher and the dry forest turning green and lush. However, as roads get muddy and rivers swell, travel throughout the country becomes more challenging. The worst time for this will be towards the end of rainy season, with October being the wettest and muddiest month of the year in Guanacaste. Despite this, many tourists love the thrill of renting a 4×4 and ripping through the mud and streams during this rainiest part of the year.

Tamarindo Rainy Season

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica, tourism definitely does not come to a halt in Tamarindo Beach during rainy season. Even if Tamarindo’s rainy season is considered the low season for tourism, it is arguably the best time to visit. The sun-parched beaches of dry season quickly change to green at the onset of rainy season in May. Even after the first couple of rains you can see the difference! The forest along the beach goes from brown to green and truly becomes that ‘jungle meets the sea’ kind of place you’ve seen in photos. You also won’t have to deal with as many other tourists during Tamarindo rainy season in restaurants, tours, on beaches, and the streets!

Tamarindo rainy season is also the best time to surf! During dry season, there are days when it can be too windy or there just aren’t enough big swells. During rainy season, the waves tend to be bigger and a lot more fun. Plus, if you are in the water when it starts to rain, it won’t make much of a difference to you since you are already wet! For beginners, the surf lessons at Iguana Surf will go on rain or shine because we know that it will still be a fun time. Obviously, if there is a big storm, lightning, or the conditions are unsafe in any way, we will cancel the lesson and get you rescheduled as soon as possible.

Discover our Tamarindo surf lessons

Many people ask, “is Tamarindo’s rainy season still hot?” the answer is YES! It is still a tropical beach vacation, and daytime temperatures can soar to 32 degrees Celsius (90F), even during rainy season. Plus, the humidity will be higher than it was in the dry season, often exceeding 90 percent. If anything, you’ll be thankful for the cool-down a short rain blast or drizzle can provide. More than likely, though, you will get to enjoy slightly cooler temperatures during Tamarindo’s rainy season than you would if you visited during the dry season. Expect the daytime high to be around 29 degrees Celsius (84 F) on a rainless, partly cloudy day, and around 25 degrees Celsius (77 F) on a rainy day.

The truth is, Tamarindo doesn’t experience the rainy season like other areas of Costa Rica. On most days of Tamarindo’s rainy season, you can expect sunny skies in the morning with a refreshing afternoon shower to cool things down before a colorful sunset over the Pacific Ocean to cap off your day. If you are looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation, rainy season is the perfect time! Not only does the cooled-down air and cloudy skies of a Guanacaste rainy season give you a bit of a respite from the intense heat of the North Pacific coast, it also means fewer crowds, getting to experience the coast while it is lush and green, and the opportunity to take advantage of price drops during the low season on everything from tours, to hotels, to food, and even flights. Not only that, but the Tamarindo rainy season has the best sunsets of the year. All of this and more makes Tamarindo’s rainy season the perfect time to visit.

Blog by Jennifer LaCharite