We are thinking about traveling to Costa Rica from July 23-August 6. Heard it could be rainy, but it depends on locations we choose. Any experience traveling during this time period?

It will be rainy. How much depends on where you go. You can look here for rainfall patterns
http://costa-rica-guide.com/Weather/WeatherMap.html

You can look here for distances and travel times
www.yourtravelmap.com

We go most years during this time. It rains every afternoon about 1-3 or 2-4 then clears up. Out of 4 trips we have only had 1 day where it rained the entire day and that we were told was highly unusual.

Oh, we usually visit the pacific coast, so that's the pattern for that region.

July and August are my favorite times to go. You can usually take advantage of off season rates, and it is much less crowded that high season.

These are the two least rainy months of the "green season". Costa Rica is a land of micro-climates, so it varies around the country. But you will probably wake to sunshine, and get a mid to late afternoon rain.

I would not let the weather dissuade you. As I stated, one of our favorite times. My wife and I are going for ten days in July. We are going to the Tortuguero and Monteverde.

Hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer any more advice.

Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
Travel Professional

We like July too - lush and green and good prices; I'd go for it.

nice time to be here, especially July.

Thanks so much for replies. Everything I read says the same--that it usually rains in the afternoon or at night. We are excited. Any suggestions on clothing for the weather--we are not fussy.

Depends entirely where you go. Somewhere like Manuel Antonio will be hot so shorts, tanks, capris. If you go somewhere like Monteverde, it can get cool at night, so I'd throw in a long-sleeved shirt and a sweatshirt or a fleece and a long pair of pants. We always bring one of those cheap rain ponchos (got ours at Target) and have used them every trip. Can bring a sundress if you want to, but not necessary to dress up. Leave jeans and high heels at home.

We are arriving into San Jose and spending the afternoon and one night there. We then are going to Monteverde for three nights. We chose Monteverde over an Arenal stay because we are next heading to Playa Samara for sport fishing/surfing.
While in Monteverde should we take the ferry over to Arenal? It seems like a big trip for one day.

These two maps are invaluable. Thanks.

http://www.weather2travel.com/climat...try=costa-rica

was there August 3 years ago it clouded over by noon

and rained a lot mostly PM both at Arenal.net Tabacon.com and

Manuelantoniopark.com Costaverde.com had deluges when there.

Guanacaste

hotelcapitansuizo.com

and Jaco

hotelvillacaletas.com

were actually sunny for me

It rained ALL day at Arenal.

So come expecting lots of rain maybe u will get lucky.

Still love CR great rates in the off season due to rain.

So come prepared I like Cargo Pants and Goretex hikers

plenty of goretex socks to change takes 2 days for stuff

to get dry...

Have fun!

You definitely don't want to do a day trip between Arenal and Monteverde. Arenal is worth at least three nights and Monteverde worth two if it interests you. The road to get to Monteverde is long and bumpy; you wouldn't want to get there and then turn around to go back.