Best Time to Get Married in Costa Rica: A Guide

A wedding in Costa Rica sits in a different category than a Caribbean beach celebration. The country offers rainforest at one end of a wedding-week itinerary and Pacific shoreline at the other, with sloths in the canopy, humpback whales in the bay, and cloud-forest peaks reaching above 10,000 feet inland. The question for couples planning a destination wedding in Costa Rica isn’t whether the country will deliver. It’s understanding the dry-versus-green-season trade-off, the Pacific-versus-Caribbean-coast difference, and how the wildlife calendar can shape the wedding-week experience.

Short answer: mid-December through April. Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and the inland highlands are firmly in the dry season during that window, with reliably sunny days, comfortable humidity, and the country’s most photogenic light. Late November is a strong shoulder pick. May through November is the “green season,” which trades dependable sunshine for lush jungle, lower rates, and far smaller crowds.

Here’s how to read Costa Rica’s wedding calendar, with the practical details that decide the date. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists can help you plan every detail of your big celebration.

Costa Rica Wedding Season at a Glance

Season	Months	Weather (Pacific Coast)	Whale Watching	Pricing
Dry Season (Peak)	December–April	75–85°F, dry, sunny	Yes (North Pacific humpbacks, Dec–March)	Highest
Shoulder	May, late November	Warm with afternoon showers	Transition	Mid-range
Green Season	June–October	Warm, lush, daily afternoon rain	Yes (South Pacific humpbacks, July–October)	Lowest

Why Costa Rica’s Wedding Calendar Looks Different

Three quiet facts shape almost every Costa Rica wedding date decision:

• Costa Rica sits south of the Pacific hurricane belt. Direct hurricane hits are statistically rare. Tropical storms passing further north can bring rain effects, especially on the Caribbean coast, but the wedding-day rebooking risk is far lower than the Caribbean or Mexican Pacific destinations.
• The Pacific and Caribbean coasts run on different seasonal rhythms. The Pacific (where most weddings happen) is dry December through April, wet May through November. The Caribbean coast is the opposite-ish: drier in September and October, wettest in November through January. Same country, two calendars.
• Costa Rica has two humpback whale seasons. North Pacific humpbacks arrive from Alaska between December and March; South Pacific humpbacks arrive from Antarctica between July and October. That makes Costa Rica one of the few destinations in the world where whale watching is a year-round-ish wedding-week option.

Month-by-Month Wedding Weather in Costa Rica

January

Peak dry season on the Pacific coast and the inland highlands. Daytime temperatures sit in the low 80s on the coast and the high 60s to low 70s in the cloud forests around Monteverde. North Pacific humpbacks are active offshore Guanacaste. One of the most consistent wedding months on the calendar.

February

More of January’s dry magic. Valentine’s week books out fast at the top Guanacaste resorts (the Papagayo Peninsula’s Four Seasons and Andaz, in particular). Wildlife viewing is exceptional. Cloud-forest mornings can run cool enough for a light layer.

March

The peak of Costa Rica’s dry season. Daytime temperatures climb into the mid-80s along the Pacific coast. The countryside turns golden in Guanacaste’s tropical dry forest. Spring Break crowds appear in Tamarindo and parts of Manuel Antonio.

April

Final reliable dry-season month. The Pacific coast is warm and sunny, but the country starts to feel the imminent arrival of the green season. Easter and Holy Week (Semana Santa) are major domestic holidays, with the country largely shutting down for the week. Plan around it carefully.

May

Green season opens. Afternoon thunderstorms appear, the jungle pops to vivid green, and the resort scene quiets. Pricing softens noticeably. The first half of May often delivers the best of both worlds: mostly dry days with a lush surrounding landscape.

June

Reliably green and rainy in the afternoons. Mornings stay sunny. Wildlife is exceptionally active in the rainforest. Resort rates are at their lowest of the year. A smart shoulder pick for budget-conscious couples willing to plan around rain.

July

Mid-green season with a quirky local twist: “veranillo de San Juan” (the little summer of Saint John) brings a brief dry stretch in mid- to late July. Many couples specifically target this window for the lower green-season pricing with a higher chance of dry wedding-day weather. The South Pacific humpback season also begins.

August

Heavier rain returns after July’s veranillo. Daily afternoon downpours are common. South Pacific humpback whale watching peaks. The country is at its lushest. Ceremonies after 4 p.m. become essential.

September

Statistically, Costa Rica’s rainiest month is on the Pacific coast, with frequent all-day rain rather than just afternoon storms. Notably, the Caribbean coast is in its driest window here, which makes September a viable option for Limon-area weddings if you’re flexible on geography.

October

Continued heavy rain on the Pacific side; the Caribbean coast stays drier. Sea turtle nesting (olive ridleys at Ostional, green turtles at Tortuguero) is in full swing, a unique wedding-week excursion option.

November

Transition month. Early November still trends rainy on the Pacific; the second half of the month often brings the return of dry weather as the green season winds down. Late November is a quietly perfect shoulder pick with significantly lower rates than December.

December

Dry season opens. The first half of December tends to be calm and beautiful. Christmas and New Year’s bring the year’s highest rates and tightest availability, especially in Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio.

Costa Rica’s Wedding Regions: Three Distinct Calendars

Guanacaste and the Papagayo Peninsula (Northern Pacific Coast)

Costa Rica’s largest wedding hub by volume. The Papagayo Peninsula’s luxury anchors (Four Seasons, Andaz, Secrets Papagayo), the surfing-and-yoga energy of Tamarindo, and the quieter boutique scene around Nosara all sit on the dry, sunny northern Pacific. Guanacaste’s tropical dry forest climate means less rain than the rest of the Pacific, even in the green season. Best for resort-style weddings with reliable weather.

Manuel Antonio and the Central Pacific Coast

Lush rainforest meeting white-sand beach, with Manuel Antonio National Park as the resort district’s backdrop. Sloths visible from resort balconies, dramatic Pacific sunsets, and a more rainforest-y feel than Guanacaste. Sees more rain in the green season than Guanacaste does. Best for couples wanting the rainforest-meets-Pacific aesthetic.

The Caribbean Coast (Limon Province)

Costa Rica’s quieter, more Afro-Caribbean coast. Limon, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo offer black-sand beaches, reggae-soaked culture, and a wedding-week vibe unlike anywhere else in the country. Runs on an opposite-ish weather calendar: driest in September and October, wettest November through January. Best for adventurous couples wanting something completely off the typical Costa Rica wedding path.

Inland (Arenal, Monteverde)

Active Arenal Volcano with hot-springs resorts at its base, and the cloud-forest peaks around Monteverde. Cooler temperatures year-round (60s and 70s), with rainforest weather, meaning rain is possible most months. Best as a pre- or post-wedding adventure rather than a primary ceremony location.

Wildlife and Whale Watching as Wedding-Week Bonuses

Costa Rica’s wildlife calendar can become a meaningful part of the wedding week:

• North Pacific humpback whales (December–March): visible from Guanacaste and Papagayo Peninsula beachfronts.
• South Pacific humpback whales (July–October): visible from the central and southern Pacific coasts.
• Sea turtle nesting at Ostional (August–December): the famous arribada mass nesting of olive ridley turtles, a few hours from Guanacaste resorts.
• Green turtle nesting at Tortuguero (July–October): on the Caribbean coast, a separate trip from Pacific-side weddings.
• Sloths and toucans: year-round at Manuel Antonio, the Osa Peninsula, and most rainforest resorts.
• Quetzal viewing (December–April): cloud-forest highlight in Monteverde during the dry season.

The Best Time of Day to Say “I Do”

For outdoor wedding ceremonies in Costa Rica, aim for 1.5 to 2 hours before sunset. The Pacific light turns dramatic and warm, the heat of the day eases, and the rainforest cools off enough to make outdoor receptions comfortable.

Approximate sunset times by month (Costa Rica observes Central Standard Time year-round, no daylight saving):

Month	Sunset	Ideal Ceremony Time
January–February	5:30–5:50 p.m.	3:45 p.m.
March–April	5:50–6:00 p.m.	4:00 p.m.
May–August	6:00–6:15 p.m.	4:15 p.m.
September–October	5:30–5:55 p.m.	4:00 p.m.
November–December	5:15–5:30 p.m.	3:30 p.m.

When to Start Planning Your Costa Rica Wedding

For peak-season dates (December through April), most couples book 12 to 18 months in advance. The Papagayo Peninsula’s luxury anchors (Four Seasons, Andaz) and the smaller boutique anchors (Lapa Rios, Pacuare Lodge) need the longest lead times for Saturday dates and holiday weeks.

For shoulder-season dates (late November, May), nine to twelve months is usually enough. Green-season weddings (June through October) can sometimes come together in six to nine months if you’re flexible on resort and date. The veranillo window in late July is worth targeting specifically for green-season weddings.

A Certified Destination Wedding Specialist can map your wedding-week vision (resort wedding versus rainforest immersion, Guanacaste versus Manuel Antonio, with or without whale watching) against the country’s seasonal rhythms.

Costa Rica Wedding Timing FAQs

What is the best month to get married in Costa Rica?

January, February, and March deliver the most reliably perfect wedding weather: dry, sunny, comfortable temperatures, exceptional wildlife viewing, and the North Pacific humpback whale season. Late November is a close second, with similar weather and softer pricing before the December surge.

Can we get married in Costa Rica during the green season?

Absolutely, and many couples do. Green season (May through November) brings lush rainforest, the lowest rates of the year, smaller crowds, and active wildlife. Plan a covered backup ceremony venue, schedule outdoor moments for the morning or early afternoon (before the typical afternoon storms), and consider targeting July’s veranillo dry stretch if you want green-season savings with a higher dry-day chance.

Is hurricane season a real concern in Costa Rica?

Far less than in the Caribbean. Costa Rica sits south of both the Atlantic and the active part of the Eastern Pacific hurricane belts. Direct hurricane hits are statistically rare. The Caribbean coast occasionally feels the effects of storms passing further north, but the Pacific coast is largely shielded.

When can we see whales during our Costa Rica wedding?

Costa Rica has two humpback seasons. The North Pacific humpbacks (from Alaska) visit the Guanacaste and Papagayo Peninsula coasts from December through March. The South Pacific humpbacks (from Antarctica) visit the central and southern Pacific coasts from July through October. Few destinations in the world offer year-round-ish whale-watching options like Costa Rica does.

Pacific coast or Caribbean coast: which is best for a Costa Rica wedding?

The Pacific coast (Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, Nicoya Peninsula) handles 90 percent of Costa Rica’s weddings, with the deepest resort lineup, the most reliable dry-season weather, and the best access from major US airports via Liberia (LIR) and San Jose (SJO). The Caribbean coast (Limon, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo) is quieter, more boutique, and runs on an opposite-ish seasonal calendar. For most couples, the Pacific is the default, and the Caribbean is the adventurous alternative.

Ready to Pick Your Costa Rica Wedding Date?

The right month decides everything from the color of the rainforest to the energy of your guests’ week. Once you’ve narrowed your window and your region (Pacific resort, Pacific rainforest, Caribbean coast, or inland adventure), the rest of the planning takes shape around it.

Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists know every Costa Rica region, every seasonal trade-off, and every shortcut to a wedding week that pairs sloths, whales, hot springs, or volcano hikes with a ceremony that fits your vision. Fill out our online wedding planning form to get started.