The warm weather, uncrowded beaches, and lush rainforests mean there is never a bad time to visit beautiful Costa Rica. And with Costa Rica’s Covid cases dropping and restrictions being eased, right now is the perfect time to start planning your trip.

Costa Rica Covid Restrictions

The Costa Rican government dropped their nightly curfew and sanitary driving restrictions in early March 2022. The restrictions were set up at the beginning of the pandemic to slow travel within the country and encourage the “cuidate en casa” campaign that was stressed in the early part of 2020, encouraging Costa Ricans to remain at home. That means businesses that were affected by the midnight to 5 a.m. ban, such as bars and night clubs, can now go back to normal operation hours. This is all part of the country’s “responsible and gradual opening” after seeing infection rates dropping in the last two months, boasting a 37 percent drop in cases from the last week of February to the first week of March.

While a QR code requirement showing proof of double vaccination was implemented March 7, 2022, most businesses along the Pacific Coast have opted out of the program, choosing to remain open at a limited capacity. Bars and restaurants can choose to run at 50 percent capacity, allowing all visitors despite their status, while all national parks and beaches are at 100 percent capacity. This requirement has since been made voluntary and will be dissolved altogether beginning April 1, 2022, meaning all businesses can operate at full capacity without asking their clientele for proof of vaccination.

Outdoor events already seem to be in full swing in Costa Rica, which is good news for all the rodeo lovers! The traditional fiestas have already begun again recently in the Tamarindo area. Costa Ricans and tourists alike are excited to go see the toros (bulls) again, something that has been banned since the pandemic begun in early 2020.

The lifting of restrictions for Covid in Costa Rica is not only a relief for residents, who have struggled with regaining tourism numbers since opening back up to tourists in April 2020, but it’s great news for those looking to travel to the tropical country, too. Starting April 1, foreign visitors will no longer have to provide the digital health pass, or pase de salud, to enter the country. That means visitors will not have to provide proof of vaccination to enter Costa Rica. Furthermore, unvaccinated travellers no longer have to buy special Costa Rica Covid travel insurance to enter the country as of April 1.

One restriction that has yet to be lifted is the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces, such as stores, restaurants, and museums. You will likely not be bothered too much by this restriction, however, if you stick to outdoor activities like ATV riding, ziplining, and visiting national parks and animal sanctuaries. And most restaurants along the beach feature outdoor dining, so you won’t even have to put on your mask to enter. People are asked to wash their hands or use provided alcohol gel prior to entering most locations.

Discover more outdoor excursions HERE

So, now that it’s easier than it has been since the beginning of the pandemic to travel to and within Costa Rica, what are you waiting for? The perfect time? Many ask, “when is the best month to visit Costa Rica?” and like so many questions it seems to depend on your preferences. But there are a few schools of thought on the best month to visit Costa Rica.

The Best Month to Visit Costa Rica

To determine which is the best month to visit Costa Rica, you must consider the seasons. On the Pacific Coast, the dry season, or summer, is from December to April, which is the most popular time for tourists visiting the country. The rainy, or green season, lasts from May to November. While the rains make the countryside lusher, particularly here on the North Pacific Coast, September and October are not highly recommended for travel to Costa Rica. Heavy rains, flooded river crossings, and muddy roads make travel and wildlife spotting more difficult during these months.

Again, the ideal time to visit depends largely on your preferences and your availability but certain months are ideal for certain situations, especially if you plan to travel to the Tamarindo area.

July

July is the best month to visit Costa Rica for a few reasons, but it’s an especially ideal time if you are trying to coordinate your travel plans with school vacations and want to see a very green coast line along the North Pacific. While July is right in the middle of rainy season, the rains seem to take a short reprieve during this month, which most often reports 100 millimeters (4 inches) less rain than the months prior and after. Ticos often refer to this period as “veranillo” or little summer. 

Precipitation in July in Tamarindo is often just a short burst of rain in the late afternoon or early evening, which dries up quickly in the hot sun. July rains rarely keep the sun away for long but the moisture does tend to keep the heat down. The average daily high in July is 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) while the average high temperature in March and April is a balmy 35 degrees C (95 F). This is also the low season for tourism and as such, crowds will be smaller and airline tickets will be lower. Take a trip to Costa Rica in July if you want to see Tamarindo looking green and lush!

December

The end of the heavy rains can be difficult to predict, with some heavy rain still to be expected until the end of November. The worst will certainly be over by December and you will still have all the lush greenery to marvel at. December is also the start of the Papagayo winds, which will help keep you cool when the temperature reaches 32 degrees Celsius (90 F) every afternoon. This month is also the start of the sport fishing season for those looking to catch a marlin. 

Keep in mind, the peak travel period in Costa Rica commences by mid December, with Christmas and New Year visits requiring particularly early planning for travellers and pricier airline and hotel costs. Christmas time is a very festive time to be in Costa Rica, however, and if you can stand the bigger crowds at the beach, you will get to experience all the events that come with the season like fiestas, live music, and fire dancers on the beach at sunset, especially in Tamarindo. Lights will be strung up in businesses and on the streets and everyone will be in a cheerier mood. December is a great time to visit Costa Rica!

While Costa Rica was one of the first countries to open up to travellers again, they have been careful to stop the spread of the virus. Their vaccination rate is roughly 76 percent of the population, and they were one of the first countries in Latin America to receive the vaccine along with Mexico. While they ease restrictions to attempt to get back to normal, they continue to use caution, stressing the wearing of masks, proper hygiene, social distancing, and encouraging remote work. Costa Rica’s gradual and responsible roll back of restrictions coincides with a drop in new infections, seeing numbers fall by more than 2,300 over the last three weeks, which is 41 percent of its previous peak in early February.

Start planning your Costa Rica vacation for the “veranillo” in July/August or for the end of green season to ensure sunny skies all day. Either way, we know you won’t be disappointed!

Get in touch with us TODAY to start booking your stay at The Point Luxury Villa.

By Jennifer LaCharite