CR in the Rainy Season
 

I've read all the past messages regarding the rain, and it seems like for the most part, the days aren't washed out. But how are the roads and hiking trails? Is it a lot muddier, hotter, buggier?

We had to cancel a trip to Arenal and BdC last month, and having come so close to going, I still have the "itch" and don't want to wait until next January when we normally travel. I know there are no guarantees in life, but we'd hate to spend money and not be able to get the most of our experience, especially since we just spent a lot of money not to go.

So what do you say, Fodorites? Should we go in the summer, or wait until January?

While the hiking trails may be a bit muddier, and you may have to coordinate some activities a little more during rainy season, I have no problems going in May, June, July - Haven't been in Aug-Nov though where it might be even wetter (except Puerto Viejo area Sep-Nov). I will be visiting several different areas this year late June through mid July and not really worried about the rain being a detriment.

Thumbs up for June or July. I would go for it. They have something they call the "little summer" where the rain lessens. We've never really had a total washout. We did the Osa one summer and didn't get a single drop. Usually it just rains part of the day and you can do your activities around it. I actually love the rain in CR - keeps things cool, and things are lush and green that time of year. We always pack a rain poncho though.

I spent three weeks last November, mainly on the eastern side of Costa Rica. We had some rain at night, but only at Selva Bananito (near Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side) was it a total washout - two days of rain, 23 hours out of 24. At Selva Verde (in Sarapiqui region) we had a full afternoon and another morning of rain.

With heavy rains, both the trails at Selva B. and V. were tough. We were sliding down steep inclines, deep mud in spots trying to suck the boots off our feet.

I would advise June/July since it seems more like afternoon showers, not total washouts.

To add to colibri's comment - I don't think that last year was the norm at all for the Puerto Viejo area. They were as surprised as everyone else!

So you all are avoiding the mention of May. Is the rain really awful during that month?

www.weather2travel.com CR climate guide

Jan-Mar best unless lots of rain is ok.

I'd be fine with May too. Here's a good weather map. Mouse over the area that interests you to see average rainfall patterns.

http://costa-rica-guide.com/Weather/WeatherMap.html

Well, I mentioned May :-) and I think May is beautiful. I think the responses have been more to the OP's original time frame which was summer vs. wait until January.

Yep, I was going off the summer comment.

qwovadis & VG...thx for the websites. I don't mind some showers, but would prefer not having rain all day. I grew up in Miami, so afternoon showers are in my blood.

Hip...sorry I missed your May comment. I've read so many posts that I'm getting confused. This is an anniversary trip & I can't change my wedding date now after 30 yrs. :-)

I went in July - Aug this past summer and we had little rain. There was 1 or 2 good showers but they cleared after an hour or so. We were on the beach both days and I had packed ponchos - I covered up all our stuff and we played in the ocean til the storms passed.

Hi Bd,

We went in July last year (Dominical area) and it really only rained a couple times. One night it was a very hard rain and had to wait until it cleared up a bit to cross a bridge on the way back to our house in the mountains. But it was rather fun.

We are going again in May this year and I don't have a problem at all with the rainy season. The rates are much better and things aren't as crowded. Its really just like summer here in the states; you are never sure when a thunderstorm will blow in.

Thank you all for your responses. I'm still not sure what to do, but I have time to decide. The desire to get out of town is a lot stronger in the winter, so planning a trip when the sun is finally shining doesn't have the same impact. In the meantime, I'll keep reading the forum to get my CR fix.