Is it crazy to think about going to Costa Rica in August? My older kids (ages 18 and 22) can only get time off in mid August for a family vacation and we would love to go somewhere with a rain forest and the attractions of Costa Rica. Thanks

We always go in July and have good luck. If you want to check out weather conditions for certain months, this is a good site www.costa-rica-guide.com. You can check out the rainfall patterns for different areas.

We had agreat time last August, just plan your outdoor activities for the morning.

check out the town of Uvita

Uvita has the potential to be a bit more rainy in August, but as someone said, probably not all day!

The driest area in August would be up in Guanacaste--north Pacific beaches, Rincon de la Vieja National Park, etc. Plenty to do up there. Do a full day tour to Rincon--you'll love it. It is beautiful in August.

Hotels I'd suggest:

Flamingo Beach Resort
Bahia del Sol
Hotel Sugar Beach (all same area)

Playa Hermosa--Villas del Sueno

For this area of the country, you should fly into Liberia airport (LIR). Otherwise, you are looking at 5 hours each way from the airport (SJO). 10 hours on the road when you could be at the beach! LIR is 30 min. from Playa Hermosa, 1 hour from Playa Flamingo/Potrero.

We always go there in July--a few times in early August. We'll be in the Guanacaste area until August 12 this year. You'll be fine! Have great fun!

Any rain we've had has usually come in the afternoons and clears up by dinner; you just learn to work around it. The howlers and sunrise will usually wake you up early, so you can see and do a lot before the rain usually sets in. We were usually up by 5:30 or so. I'd probably avoid September and October, but I'd still go in August.

let me add to everyone elses advice:
the rain forest in august means rain rain rain, its true that even during rainy season you are sure to find part of the day without rain, but the rain/cloud forests have a very short time in the morning before the rains usually hit.
on the positive side,if you pack a poncho and brave the wet, you will be rewarded with an uncrowded amazing adventure.

There was another recent thread on this and my short answer to that question was that we thoroughly enjoyed August. Spent a week in MA. As noted above, we just did most tours and activities in the mornings. We had beautiful days until about 2 pm, and the rain stopped by 5 or so. We loved the lower lodging rates and the reduced crowds.

We are headed there middle of August and hoping for the best. We will be at Arenal two days and then 5 days over at Playa Panama in the Guanacaste area. We are looking forward to our trip very much.

We were in Costa Rica- playa agujas, just north of Jaco- for a week at the end of August, beggining of September last year. We had a house there and used it as home-base. Traveled to Manuel Antonio, into the rain forest, went deep sea fishing, etc. It was wonderful. It didn't rain every day, but did rain most days- in the late afternoon. In actuality, it provided a great time to nap, relax, or have cocktails under cover listening to the rain. Also, with rain comes rainbows.... some of the most gorgeous views I have seen in my life were in Costa Rica after the rain cleared. Go! Have fun... you're kids will love it... and if it rains, just wait for the rainbow to come...

You have the same probability of rain in CR as you would in Florida, so cross your fingers. Out of the 10 days that I have been in CR during August, I have not had anything more than a couple of late day, quick showers, then a beautiful rainbow, then the sun reappearing. I hope the weather is as nice for you as it has been for us. Also, don't look a the exntended forecast with to much credibility before you go, because it will show t-storms everyday, which is all based on averages.