Limon Costa Rica’s monthly weather is rainy for most of the year. © 2021 Scott S. Bateman

Costa Rica’s monthly weather is warm on both coasts, cool in the interior and rainy most months of the year.

This Central American country attracts cruise visitors on both coasts. It is famous for Mayan ruins and eco tourism attractions. But its climate does not make it a popular beach destination.

The monthly weather for Costa Rica has average high temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit for Limón and high 80s to low 90s for Puntarenas. Puntarenas has a dry season from December through April. Rainfall is usually heavy every month in Limón.

Limón Climate

Limón, also known as Puerto Limón, is the dominant western Caribbean cruise port for the country.

Limon Costa Rica’s monthly temperatures average in the mid 80s Fahrenheit and about 30 Celsius through the year.

Average lows hover in the low 70s Fahrenheit and low 20s Celsius, according to the Costa Rica National Meteorological Institute.

Rainfall is heavy in this Central American country, which results in lush rain forests that make it popular for eco tourism.

Rain is especially heavy in July and December. They average more than 16 inches each month.

Anyone taking a western Caribbean cruise will find that late winter to early spring is a good time for Costa Rica weather.

September and October also tend to have lighter amounts of rain, which is unusual for any country that lines the Caribbean Sea.

The number of days with rain each month ranges from a low of 14 in September to a high of 22 in July.

Caribbean cruise visitors may have a day without rain but plenty of dark and ominous clouds in the sky.

Puntarenas Climate

Pacific Ocean cruise visitors to Puntarenas on the west coast of Costa Rica will find hotter temperatures and lower risk of rain than Limon on the Caribbean coast.

The average high temperatures range from the upper 80s to the lower 90s Fahrenheit throughout the year. Nighttime lows average in the lower 70s Fahrenheit.

Unlike Limon, Puntarenas has a distinct dry season from December through April with average rainfall of one inch or less.

The number of days with rain during the month drops to only two in January and February.

A long rainy season begins in May and continues through November. It reaches a high point of 12 inches of rain and 24 rain days in October and November.

Puntarenas clearly has best and worst times to visit for anyone planning a vacation there.

San Jose Climate

Adventurous visitors with more time may find a chance to travel deeper into the interior.

San Jose, which lies about 1 hour and 40 minutes east of Puntarenas, has a much cooler climate.

The average highs range in the mid to high 70s Fahrenheit or about 25 Celsius. Average lows drop to the upper 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit.

Rainfall in San Jose is less intense with the worst months being September and October when average rainfall is more than 12 inches each month.

Like Puntarenas, it has a distinct dry season that goes from December through April when rainfall averages about two inches and sometimes less.

Still, expect at least 10 inches of rain per month for most of the months during the Caribbean and Pacific hurricane seasons.