Costa Rica in December brings 24-30°C temperatures, 30-50mm rainfall, and high tourist crowds. Here's everything you need to know to plan the perfect December trip to Costa Rica — from weather patterns and costs to events and packing essentials.
What the Weather's Really Like
Costa Rica in December averages 24-30°C with approximately 30-50mm of rainfall. Dry season begins. Days are generally shorter but often clear. The weather makes December a popular but rewarding times to visit.
How Busy Is It?
Tourist levels are high in December. Expect higher accommodation prices and busier attractions — book at least 2-3 months ahead for popular spots.
Budget travelers should expect 20-40% higher costs compared to shoulder season.
What to Do
Continue planning your Costa Rica trip
Top highlights: Dry season begins, Christmas festivities, perfect Pacific coast weather.
December is particularly good for cultural experiences, museums, food tours, and indoor attractions with occasional outdoor days. Beach activities and water sports are at their best.
What to Bring
Essential packing list: Light clothing, swimwear, hiking shoes, rain jacket, insect repellent. Don't forget a reusable water bottle — hydration is key in the warmth.
The Verdict
Yes — December is popular for good reason, offering dry season begins. Despite higher prices and bigger crowds, the weather and events make it worth the premium.
December in Costa Rica: the holiday-crowd trade-off and where the sun actually is
The numbers most guides skip: the squeeze is not spread evenly across December. Early in the month you get dry-season weather at near-shoulder prices, but the window from roughly December 15 to January 7 is when peak rates land. Expect hotels to run about 20 to 50 percent above the already-high season rate during the Christmas and New Year weeks, and rental cars to roughly double for the December 24 to 31 stretch. Popular Guanacaste and Arenal lodges fill fast, so booking by late September for that window is realistic, not cautious.
Where you point yourself matters more than people expect. Guanacaste and the central Pacific are firmly into their dry season, with coastal highs around 31 to 32C and reliable sun. The Caribbean side near Puerto Viejo and Cahuita runs the opposite calendar and sits in a wetter stretch through March, so do not chase dry weather east. San Jose and the Central Valley stay cooler than the coast, with daytime highs near 21 to 25C.
If you want the culture, time it around the capital:
- The Tope Nacional horse parade fills downtown San Jose on December 26 with thousands of riders and sabanero dress.
- The Fiestas de Zapote run roughly December 25 to January 5, with carnival rides and toro a la tica, where the bulls are not harmed.
FAQ
What is the weather like in Costa Rica in December?
Temperatures range from 24-30°C with about 30-50mm of rainfall. Dry season begins.
Is December too crowded in Costa Rica?
Crowd levels are high. Book accommodations and major attractions well in advance.
What should I pack for Costa Rica in December?
Light clothing, swimwear, hiking shoes, rain jacket, insect repellent.
📅 Other months: Costa Rica in March · Costa Rica in February · Costa Rica in January
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More Costa Rica guides: Best Time to Visit Costa Rica · How Much Does a Trip to Costa Rica Cost? · Is Costa Rica Safe?
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.