Hurricane Polo, currently approaching Mexico’s Pacific Coast, is not expected to have a direct impact on Costa Rica, according to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN).

Although the hurricane is not expected to make landfall in Costa Rica, the IMN warned that the storm could still indirectly affect the country by bringing increased rainfall.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said earlier Tuesday that Polo had reached Category 5 strength, the highest level on the hurricane scale, and continued to intensify off Mexico’s Pacific Coast.

Despite the hurricane’s proximity and the heavy rainfall it could bring, Polo is expected to move slowly off the coast over the next couple of days before shifting its trajectory farther from shore, according to an NHC advisory.

“On the forecast track, the core of Polo is expected to be near the coast of southwestern Mexico during the next few days,” the NHC warned.

Polo had maximum sustained winds of about 165 mph (270 km/h), and some additional strengthening was expected through Tuesday night. The NHC classified Polo as an “extremely dangerous” hurricane.

The storm was located about 205 miles south of the tourist town of Zihuatanejo and 345 miles south-southeast of the port city of Manzanillo.

As of September 2026, the Pacific hurricane season has recorded six hurricanes, including four major hurricanes, out of a total of 16 to 18 named storms expected in the basin.

Costa Rica has a tropical and subtropical climate with two primary seasons. The dry season, commonly referred to as summer, typically runs from December through May. The rainy season extends from June through November and generally coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season.

The U.S. Embassy recently issued a warning to American citizens visiting Costa Rica to take extra precautions during the country's rainy season.

The IMN is a government agency responsible for issuing weather forecasts, hazardous weather warnings and related services to protect the public and inform organizations.

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What have you heard about expats affected by Hurricane Polo as it approaches Mexico? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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