Published on Wednesday, October 21, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

While a harsh winter is forecast for parts of North America and Europe, Costa Rica’s sunny dry season, often aligned with the country’s peak tourism period, is just around the corner.

According to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN), the final rainstorms of November will gradually give way to warmer, sunnier conditions across the country.

Meteorologists expect the dry season to establish itself first along the North Pacific Coast in Guanacaste Province between Nov. 3 and Nov. 15.

 

Rainfall is forecast to drop sharply from Nov. 8 to Nov. 23 across the Central Valley, which includes the provinces of San José, Cartago and Heredia, as well as southern Alajuela Province.


The transition is projected to reach the Central Pacific Coast, covering the central and northern areas of Puntarenas Province, between Nov. 13 and Nov. 30.


Sunny days are expected to extend to the northern region of the Pacific Coast from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, followed by northern Alajuela Province between Dec. 3 and Dec. 7.


Finally, Limón Province along the Caribbean Coast is expected to see a noticeable decline in rain starting in December.

Meteorologists caution, however, that additional rain remains possible during the transition, as the official rainy season does not conclude until Nov. 30.

Costa Rica typically experiences two primary weather patterns: the dry season, running from December through May, and the rainy season (often referred to as the "green season"), which lasts from June through November.

June marks the transition into the rainy period, while November signals the return to drier conditions.

In related developments, the National Emergency Commission (CNE)  issued in June a Green Alert for portions of the country's Pacific region due to an expected decrease in rainfall due to the global climate pattern, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

The IMN is a government agency responsible for tracking weather patterns, issuing severe weather alerts, and providing forecast services to safeguard the public and inform institutions.

The CNE is the government agency responsible for coordinating with communities and emergency responders to strengthen the nation's preparedness, response and recovery efforts related to natural hazards.

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