Costa Rica in January: Costs, Weather, Wildlife, Roads, Tourism Closures And More!
Nikki Solano
Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 01:00 pm
Written by Nikki Solano
Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️
food stalls at traditional fiestas civicasa busy beach at Playa Tamarindothe Palo Verde National Park is a great place for bird-watchinga bright and sunny Playa Grande, part of the Marino Las Baulas National Park
Some of the information in this article about traveling to Costa Rica in January can also be found in our related blog post:
The answer to this question depends on what you’re looking to get out of your travel experience, where in Costa Rica you’re headed, what you want to see and do while here, how much money you’re willing to spend, and several other factors. We compiled the information below to help you decide whether you should or shouldn’t go to Costa Rica in January which bridges Costa Rica’s “peak season” and “high season” (click here to learn more about Costa Rica’s high and low travel seasons), according to your own interests, wants, needs, and vacation priorities.
Planning to visit Costa Rica during a different month? Don’t miss our related blog posts:
If any of the following Costa Rica events interest you, you may want to plan your vacation to Costa Rica in January:
Fiestas Civicas (Civic Festivals): These cultural festivals take place in most cities and towns around Costa Rica during the dry, summer months, including January. Ask staff or the host at the accommodation you plan to stay at when and where the local fiesta civica will be held during the year you plan to visit. With any luck, it will be held near your accommodation when you visit in January!
Fiestas de Palmares (Palmares Festival): Arguably, Costa Rica’s most popular fiestas civicas are hosted by the town of Palmares (near San Ramon) in mid-January of each year. The multi-day festival features quintessential fiesta civica attractions including carnival rides, carnival games, food stalls, bull-riding competitions, and horse parades.
Ocaso Underground Music Festival: This multi-day EDM festival, which typically takes place at various venues around Tamarindo during January, features music, dance, and no shortage of strobe lights.
Noteworthy wildlife / marine life sightings in January
If you’re coming to Costa Rica to see a particular species of wildlife or marine life, consider the following benefits to visiting Costa Rica in January:
Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas (the Las Baulas National Marine Park) hosts leatherback sea turtles nesting on Playa Grande in January (best seen between October and March, ideally in December and January).
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast hosts humpback whales migrating up from the north in January (best seen between December and March).
Islas Catalina (the Catalina Islands, also known as “The Cats”) hosts giant manta rays in January (best seen between November and May).
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Cano Negro (the Cano Negro Mixed Wildlife Refuge) hosts migratory bird species in January (best seen between January and April).
Parque Nacional Palo Verde (the Palo Verde National Park) hosts migratory bird species in January (best seen between January and April).
Interested in Costa Rican wildlife? Don’t miss the photos in our related blog post:
On average countrywide, the most expensive time to travel to Costa Rica is during the peak season, immediately followed by the high season. Since January joins these two seasons (the first week or two of January is part of the peak season and the last two-to-three weeks of January is part of the high season), January can be one of the most expensive times of year to travel to Costa Rica. The month sees accommodation prices and car rental rates at their highest, especially during the first week or two (note that prices for tours / activities, shared and private transportation services, and food tend to remain the same year-round).
Because the first week or two of January is a popular time of year for travel in general, international flights to/from Costa Rica tend to be above-average in price during the period, save for seat sales and other flight discounts. If you’re only interested in traveling to Costa Rica during the high season, know that international flights to/from Costa Rica during the first week or two of January (and most of March) tend to be more expensive than flights during the last two-to-three weeks of January and all of February.
Weather in January
Costa Rica’s most favorable weather is experienced during the high season, which spans January. During this time, most of the country experiences the dry season, which is considered Costa Rica’s summer season. You’re most likely to encounter above-average periods of sunshine and below-average periods of rain if you visit during January. However, the country’s tropical climate means there’s always a chance of sporadic rain.
It’s important to note that during years when Costa Rica’s green / wet / rain season runs long (i.e., past December), January, especially the first few weeks of the month, may not be as sunny and dry as other high season months. If optimal weather is your priority, it’s best to visit during February or March when the transition from the green / wet / rain season to the dry season is complete.
Views in January
Since the dry season is synonymous with little cloud cover, January is a great time to take in countless beautiful views captured during adventure and nature tours, atop volcano craters, and at several miradors (viewpoints) around the country.
Landscape in January
January is the first full month that’s contained within Costa Rica’s dry season, which begins in mid-December in most regions of the country. During January, you’re most likely to witness parts of the country mid-transition between the green / wet / rain season and the dry season. Though much of the country appears lush and green in January, including areas that are home to tropical rainforest and cloud forest ecosystems, parts of the country that have dry forest ecosystems may appear brittle and brown. The latter kind of landscape is commonly seen along the northern Pacific coast, in both the Guanacaste province and on the Nicoya Peninsula. In regions where more than one ecosystem is present (along the central Pacific coast, for example), the landscape in January is typically a mix of green and brown.
Road conditions in January
Costa Rica’s roads are typically at their best during January because rainfall, known for creating bumpy roads dotted with potholes, is kept to a minimum. Also, the lack of rainfall received during January reduces road delays caused by landslides, the need to navigate river crossings, and the mess that comes with driving on rutted dirt roads that have turned to mud. In contrast, most unpaved roads in Costa Rica are dry and dusty during January. Regardless, having a 4×4 vehicle is a good idea if you plan to drive around Costa Rica in January. Some mountainous areas and areas with rough roads year-round require one.
Plan to drive yourself around Costa Rica? Learn what to expect from each road and highway by reading our related blog posts:
When the green / wet / rain season doesn’t run late, Costa Rica experiences below-average amounts of rainfall during January, so water levels around the country tend to be low. This means that waterfalls (for swimming in and canyoning beside) may be less powerful during January than months that fall within the green / wet / rain season; Some waterfalls may be reduced to a trickle. Some white-water rafting excursions may only provide mild thrills, which may disappoint avid adventurists and/or travelers with prior rafting experience, but simultaneously excite timid rafters and/or families with young children. Though always possible, tour and activity cancellations resulting from dangerous water levels are uncommon during January and other high season months.
Terrain in January
Hike conditions tend to be at their best during January when trails are usually dry. Trails that aren’t shaded make for incredibly hot hikes, however, so be sure to wear a hat and carry plenty of sunscreen and water. Though trail closures can occur at any time in Costa Rica, closures due to landslides, floods, or fallen trees aren’t common during January due to below-average rainfall levels.
Tourism in January
Tourism in Costa Rica is most efficient and most obvious during high season months including January, especially at popular tourist destinations. The first week or two of January, which technically belong to the peak season, are some of the busiest weeks of the year. If you plan to visit during January, you can expect larger group sizes for organized tours; average to above-average numbers of hikers on popular nature trails; full hotels (or nearly full hotels), busy restaurants (the most sought after may require prior reservation); transportation vehicles and vessels you’ll likely share with other passengers (i.e., shared shuttle services, domestic flights, water taxis, ferries, and local buses); and higher levels of noise.
Atmosphere in January
Characteristic of Costa Rica’s high season, the month of January is bustling and gives off a social vibe. It’s great to visit during this month if you want to experience Costa Rica when it’s full of energy and doesn’t feel empty, but if you’d rather feel like you’re traveling off the beaten path, vacationing in January should be avoided. Alternatively, if your travel dates are restricted to January but you want to avoid crowds as much as possible, visit during the last two weeks of the month (a.k.a., the least busiest part of January).
Closures in January
Unlike Costa Rica’s green / wet / rain season, which typically sees several tourism businesses close temporarily, reduce their hours of operation, or renovate during off-season months, Costa Rica’s high season, including January, sees tourism businesses operate at full speed (some according to extended hours). This is great news because it means that the hotels, tour companies, and/or restaurants you wish to experience in Costa Rica will be available to you during your January visit.
Cruises in January
January is part of the cruise season in Costa Rica, which typically runs from October to March. Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Marella, Oceana, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Windstar are some of the more popular cruise lines that visit Costa Rica during the cruise season. It’s important to note that non-cruise visitors may find port towns such as Puntarenas (on the Pacific coast) and Limon (on the Caribbean coast) to be busier than normal during days in January when ships are docked.
Availability for accommodations in January
Several Costa Rica hotels sell out during the month of January, which means room availability can be difficult to come by. This is especially true if you plan to travel during the peak season, which spans the first week or two of January. Though the amount of time you should book accommodations in advance depends largely on the area of the country you plan to visit and the property you wish to stay at, in general, it’s best to book January accommodations by September of the previous year. If you plan to travel during the first week or two of January, book accommodations even further in advance.
Wondering when you should book Costa Rica trip items to not lose out on availability? Don’t miss our related blog post:
Though full tours and activities don’t always sell out during the month of January, specific tour dates, tour times, tour combinations, and tour guides get scooped up quickly, especially for the first week or two of the month. If your travel itinerary is flexible, you can wait to book tour and activity experiences until a few weeks before your trip. If you’re traveling according to a tight schedule and/or you have specific tours / dates / times / guides in mind, it’s best to book tour and activity experiences as early as you decide on them.
If you’re a single traveler visiting Costa Rica in January, you’re in luck! Though most tour operators require a minimum of two people before they’ll run some tours, since Costa Rica welcomes so many visitors during the month of January, it’s usually easy to find other people to participate in tours with.
Wondering whether it’s required or recommended to reserve Costa Rica tours and activities in advance? If so, don’t miss our related blog post:
Availability for transportation services in January
Some Costa Rica transportation services (including shared shuttle services, private transfer services, domestic flights, water taxis, and ferries) sell out during January, especially for services provided during the first week or two of the month. Remaining availability for transportation services may not be for the exact route or departure time you want, so it’s best to book transportation services as early as you decide on them. It’s worth mentioning, too, that many transportation service providersincrease the number of services they offer during high-season months, including January. With a greater number of transportation services (i.e., departure times) to choose from, you’ll have more control over the schedule for your trip.
Need help deciding which transportation services to use in Costa Rica? Check out our related blog post:
Nearly all Costa Rica car rental agencies sell out of their best vehicles during January, especially for rentals spanning the first week or two of the month. 4×4 vehicles are the first to go, so reserve one as soon as you decide to drive yourself around Costa Rica, ideally several months prior to your visit.
Have you booked your Costa Rica hotels, transportation services, or car rental yet? If not, don’t miss the free discount codes we offer for these items:
Do you have questions about visiting in January, or want help deciding which month would be the best for you to visit Costa Rica according to your priorities and the experiences you’re looking to have? No problem! When you’re ready, make an appointment here to communicate with me (Nikki) privately and we can discuss these and other topics to get your questions answered fast and your Costa Rica trip poised for success. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂
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Article Name
Costa Rica in January: Costs, Weather, Wildlife, Roads, Tourism Closures And More!
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Everything you need to know about visiting Costa Rica in January, including events, wildlife sightings, costs, weather, tourism, and more!
