Best Time to Visit Jacó: Weather Month by Month
Come in the dry season if you want sun every day. Come in July if you want sunny mornings, a quieter town and the whales offshore.
The short version
- The dry season runs from December to April, and January to March are the driest months. Expect sun most days and the busiest town.
- The green season runs from May to November: sunny mornings, with rain in the late afternoon and evening. September and October are the rainiest months.
- Beginners learn best from December to April. Experienced surfers come from May to October for the south swells.
- Humpback whales are offshore from mid-July to October, and sea turtles nest on Playa Hermosa, the next beach south, in the second half of the year.
- High season at the hotel runs from 1 December to 30 April.
The two seasons
Jacó is warm all year, with daytime highs of about 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F) in every month. What changes through the year is the rain.
Dry season, December to April
The dry season brings sun most days and the least rain of the year, and January to March are the driest months of all. It is also when Jacó is busiest: Christmas and New Year, Semana Santa and the long Costa Rican school holidays all fall in these months.
Green season, May to November
The rain arrives in May and the hills turn green. A usual day starts clear and sunny, with rain building in the late afternoon and evening, so mornings are for the beach, the surf and tours. September and October are the rainiest months, and November starts to dry out again.
The veranillo in July
Most years bring a drier spell in the middle of the green season, the veranillo or "little summer". It usually arrives in early to mid July and lasts one to four weeks, though the timing moves from year to year.
Surf through the year
From December to April the waves are smaller and cleaner, which makes it the best time to learn, and the south end of the beach is usually the calmest. From May to October the south swells arrive, with bigger, more powerful waves for experienced surfers. Lessons run all year.
Wildlife by season
Humpback whales, mid-July to October
Humpback whales from the southern hemisphere come to the warm water of the Pacific coast to give birth and raise their calves. Whale watching boat trips go out from Herradura, a short drive north of Jacó.
Sea turtles, the second half of the year
Olive ridley turtles nest on Playa Hermosa, the next beach south of Jacó, which is protected as a wildlife refuge. Nesting happens in the second half of the year.
Scarlet macaws, all year
Scarlet macaws live in Carara National Park and around the Tárcoles River, just north of Jacó, all year. The best time to see them is at dawn and dusk, when they fly between the forest and the mangroves.
Tours by season
Most tours run all year, and in the green season they are best booked for the morning. Rafting changes with the rivers: in the green season the water is high and the rapids are at their biggest, while dry season trips are gentler. Waterfalls run fullest in the green season.
Whitewater Rafting
Half day · Class II to IV rapids through jungle gorges.
Waterfall & Canopy
Half day · Swim under a jungle waterfall, then fly above it.
Month by month
- January: dry and sunny, with small waves for beginners. Costa Rican school holidays keep the town busy.
- February: one of the driest months of the year, and still busy.
- March: among the hottest months. Semana Santa often falls in March (21 to 28 March in 2027).
- April: the end of the dry season, with the first showers late in the month.
- May: the green season begins, the south swells start and the town gets quieter.
- June: sunny mornings and afternoon rain, and often the cleanest surf of the year.
- July: the veranillo most years, the whales arrive mid-month, and two weeks of Costa Rican school holidays.
- August: whales offshore and big swells for experienced surfers.
- September: rainier afternoons, whales offshore, and one of the quietest months in town. Independence Day is 15 September.
- October: the rainiest month, with whales until the end of the month and a quiet town.
- November: the rain eases and the dry season is on its way.
- December: the dry season returns, and Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks of the year.
Busy weeks and quiet ones
Jacó is a favorite beach for Costa Ricans too, so the town is busiest over Christmas and New Year, Semana Santa, the school holidays (the long break from December to February and two weeks in July) and long weekends. September and October are the quietest months.
At the hotel, high season runs from 1 December to 30 April. For arrivals in those months, and for stays longer than seven nights, free cancellation on flexible rates runs until 12:00 PM (noon) Costa Rica time, 15 days before arrival, instead of 5. The exact date for your booking is shown before you pay, and the full terms are on our terms page.
So when should you come?
Come in the dry season if you want sun every day. Come in July if you want sunny mornings, a quieter town and the whales offshore. Whenever you come, breakfast is included and the beach is two minutes from your room. Check your dates, or read what to do once you are here.
Questions travelers ask
What is the best month to visit Jacó?
For sun every day, January to March, the driest months. For sunny mornings, a quieter town and whales offshore, July.
When is the rainy season in Jacó?
From May to November, with September and October the rainiest. Mornings are usually clear, and the rain tends to come in the late afternoon and evening.
When can you see whales near Jacó?
From mid-July to October, on boat trips from Herradura, a short drive north.
When is the best time to surf in Jacó?
December to April for beginners, when the waves are smaller. May to October for experienced surfers, when the south swells arrive.
Is Jacó hot all year?
Yes. Daytime highs are about 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F) in every month.
