The Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica has two seasons: dry and wet or high and low or hot and hotter. There are lots of expressions for the two very different times of year and most holiday goers presume that the ‘high’ season which runs from November until April is the only time to visit.

Whilst it is true that between Thanksgiving and April there is pretty much back to back sunshine followed by consistently awesome sunsets, the dry season is also the most expensive and busiest time to be here. Don’t get me wrong, most people coming here are looking for exactly that. Sunshine and no rain - and I promise that is what you will find here, but be prepared for lots of other people looking for exactly the same thing.

I don’t know about you, but I love an empty beach. I come from the UK and have spent most of my beach holidays in Europe where you can be packed pretty close to the next person whilst trying to relax and get away from it all. Not here and especially not here in the green season.

It is referred to as the green season because the rain brings the trees and plants alive. Luckily Costa Rica’s tropical forests are always lush but things are getting very dry by March and April and leaves are falling all around. By July, everything is back to life again. It is amazing how quickly the vegetation replenishes itself here in a matter of months. There are also some pretty cool creatures wandering around during these months. The red crab migration kicks off the season with thousands of them heading to the sea each April for a two week extravaganza. Followed by lots of huge frogs ribbitting all over the place just after each rain. It’s brilliant to see and listen to.

 
 
The only real downside for me is that some of the dirt roads become impossible to pass without a 4x4 during the green season but as long as you are prepared for this and you have good wet weather gear, you will be just fine.

The months between May and October are when the rains come. If you don’t mind glorious sunshine during the day followed biblical storms that roll in the late afternoons and nighttimes followed by lovely days again, then this is the place for you. There will be the occasional three to five days of non-stop rains, but for the most part, it is cooler than the peak time, cheaper to stay, quieter and greener. Much nicer.

Dahlia Nahome is the Costa Rica editor for Wandering Educators.
As well as running her rental business, www.costaricanvacation.com & launching www.purasonica.com (a local radio station with her husband) she also enjoys writing about and raising the profile of the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica and has work published on various travel blogs.
You may reach her at dahlia at costaricanvacation dot com.