Weather Santa Teresa Costa Rica by Month: Sunshine, Downpours, and When I’d Go
I stayed in Santa Teresa from June until mid-November and surfed almost every day. That gave me a real feel for the weather Santa Teresa Costa Rica is known for, and it’s more nuanced than most guides make it sound. Some months were sunny and busy. Others had short, heavy showers. The green season and dry season feel very different on the ground.
This guide walks through each month, gives you my honest verdict, and explains why I think the green season is underrated. For the bigger picture of the town, start with my Santa Teresa surfing guide. If you want to pick a month by the surf, see the best surf destination by month.
In a rush? For the best time to visit Santa Teresa, go in July or August if you want sunshine, lower prices than high season, and still plenty of people around. Avoid December through February if you hate crowds.
TL;DR: Weather Santa Teresa Costa Rica
- Best month: July or August for sun, lower prices, and people.
- Green season: lower prices, fewer people, bigger swells.
- Dry season: reliable sun, a busy town, higher prices.
- Rain: sudden and heavy. Pack a raincoat and an umbrella.
- Watch out for: power and Wi-Fi cuts during heavy rain.
Weather Santa Teresa Costa Rica: What to Expect
Santa Teresa has a clear dry season and a green season. The dry season runs roughly from December to March. The green season is the rest of the year, but it isn’t one soggy block. The tropical climate keeps the temperature warm year-round, and the humidity is high even when the sun is out. Rain comes and goes.
The national weather institute (IMN) describes the Pacific side this way: the dry season runs from about December through March, with April as a transition. The Santa Teresa Costa Rica rainy season runs from May through October, with November as a transition. Rain dips in July and August, during what locals call the veranillo. September and October are usually the wettest months.
My experience from June to November:
- June to August: mostly sunny, very little rain, lots of sunshine.
- September and October: more rain, in showers of 2 to 5 hours, then it stops. For about two weeks in October, the mornings were sunny, clouds built up as the ground heated, and it rained from midday until sunset.
Why the weather forecast is only part of the story
Don’t plan your day around the app. In Santa Teresa, the weather forecast often says it will rain all day when it doesn’t, or says it’s clear when the sky turns grey by lunch. What works better is looking at the clouds and the land around you. If clouds are building over the hills by 10 or 11am, expect afternoon showers.
The rain is sudden, and it can be heavy
I got caught in the rain more times than I can count. Once, I drove my scooter for about five minutes in pouring rain and got soaked from head to toe. I couldn’t see much, and I had to ride home through it. That’s the part people underestimate: the rain can go from light to a downpour in minutes, and the roads turn slippery fast.
Power and Wi-Fi cuts are also common during heavy rain. If you’re working remotely or planning to send a booking confirmation, save what you need before the storm hits.
Dry Season vs Green Season: The Honest Comparison
Why the green season is underrated
The green season in Santa Teresa is my favorite part of the year here, and I go with the green season every day I can.
- Prices are lower. Rooms, tours, and rentals can be much cheaper than in high season.
- Fewer people. Fewer people in the lineup and on the street means a more local feel.
- Bigger swells. The green season brings larger swells from the South Pacific. That’s great for experienced surfers and tougher for beginners. If you want lessons, see every surf school in Santa Teresa compared.
- Still plenty of sun. It’s not gloomy. Even in the wettest months, there are long sunny stretches, and the sunsets are some of the best I’ve seen.
Why the dry season still wins for some people
The dry season is sunny, lively, and social. There’s more to do, more events, and more people to hang out with. For where to sleep in each area, see where to stay in Santa Teresa for surfers. The trade-off is price and crowds. Prices go up sharply in high season, and December to February is the busiest stretch of the year, especially around Christmas and New Year.
Who should choose which season
- Green season if you: are an intermediate or advanced surfer, are on a budget, prefer fewer crowds, or want to feel the local vibe.
- Dry season if you: are a beginner, are traveling with family, have a flexible budget, or want a busy social scene.
January Weather in Santa Teresa
I haven’t been to Santa Teresa in January. Going by the IMN pattern, January is part of the dry season, usually sunny with little rain. Expect busy streets, especially around the holidays.
Verdict: a good month for sunshine and a social scene, but book early and expect higher prices.
February Weather in Santa Teresa
I haven’t been here in February. It’s still dry season, usually sunny, and the holiday crowds start to thin out.
Verdict: a solid pick for sun-seekers who don’t want the peak Christmas rush.
March Weather in Santa Teresa
I haven’t been here in March. The IMN describes it as the driest and warmest month on the Pacific side, so expect strong sun and heat.
Verdict: very sunny and hot. Bring extra water, sun protection, and a high-SPF sunscreen. The UV index is strong.
April Weather in Santa Teresa
I haven’t been here in April. It’s a transition month: dry weather usually holds for much of it, with showers starting toward the end.
Verdict: a good shoulder month if you want fewer crowds than the holidays but still mostly dry days.
May Weather in Santa Teresa
I haven’t been here in May. It’s when the green season starts and the rain usually picks up.
Verdict: a good month for budget travelers who don’t mind some rain.
June Weather in Santa Teresa
I was here in June, and it was one of my favorite months. The sunshine was strong and the rain was rare. The waves were good, mostly chest-high with the occasional very good overhead set. It was busier than September and October, with more people in the streets and in the lineup, probably because of the Northern Hemisphere summer break.
Verdict: excellent weather and great surf. You’ll pay a bit more than the rainiest months, but it’s still much cheaper than high season.
July Weather in Santa Teresa
July was another sunny month for me, and it fits what the IMN describes: a small dip in rain during the veranillo in July and August. The surf stayed consistent, and the town was busy.
Verdict: one of the best months to go. You get sunshine, decent surf, and a lively town without the peak prices.
August Weather in Santa Teresa
August was also mostly sunny and dry, with good waves and a steady stream of visitors. It was still busy, but calmer than the dry season holidays.
Verdict: the other top month. If you can only pick one green season month, July and August are the strongest.
September Weather in Santa Teresa
Rain became more noticeable in September. It came in short, heavy showers of 2 to 5 hours, then cleared. The weather is unpredictable, so plan your surf sessions around the sunny windows. The crowds dropped off, and the town felt much more relaxed.
Verdict: a good pick if you like quieter beaches and don’t mind checking the sky every day.
October Weather in Santa Teresa
October was the wettest stretch I saw. For about two weeks, the mornings were consistently sunny, then clouds built up as the ground heated. By midday it rained until sunset.
A local surf shop owner who has lived here for 25 years told me this was the wettest season he has seen in all his time here, and that October is usually the hardest month to visit because the rivers run muddy and the ocean gets messy. He thinks the weather this year may be linked to El Niño. I can’t confirm that cause, but his description matched what I saw.
Verdict: only go in October if you’re flexible, want a very quiet town, and are happy to surf early. Keep your rain gear close.
November Weather in Santa Teresa
I stayed through mid-November. The rain was still around, but the days started to dry out as the month went on. It’s a transition month.
Verdict: a decent month for quieter streets and lower prices, with the weather improving as the month goes on.
December Weather in Santa Teresa
I haven’t been here in December. The dry season starts, and the town fills up fast around Christmas. The weather is usually sunny and dry, but the crowds and prices are the real story.
Verdict: a great time for sun and social life, and a hard skip if you want quiet.
The Month I Would Go and Why
If I could only pick one month, I’d go in July or August. You get the best mix of sunshine, decent surf, lower prices than high season, and a town that’s still lively. You also avoid the holiday crowds and the wettest weeks of October.
If you’re a beginner, a family, or want a big social scene, go in the dry season. If you’re a budget traveler, surf at an intermediate or advanced level, or want a quieter, more local feel, the green season is your time.
How to Plan Around Santa Teresa Weather
Weather Planning: What I Did Every Day
Wear a raincoat every day. It’s what I used most, and I wore it almost every day I rode.
Get an umbrella too. I didn’t carry one during my stay, and I’d strongly recommend one now. It’s worth having, especially if you’re on foot. For more on what to bring, see 5 things you need to pack for every surf trip.
Plan surf sessions early. Mornings were often the cleanest and sunniest during my stay.
Read the sky, not the app. Clouds building over the hills mean afternoon showers are likely.
Expect power and Wi-Fi cuts. They often happen during heavy rain, so keep your phone charged and save important documents.
Expect rough roads. Most of the town is walkable from the beach, but hill areas usually need a car or scooter, and dirt roads get slippery in the rain.
Conclusion and takeaway
Santa Teresa weather isn’t as bad as people say, and it isn’t as perfect as the brochures suggest. Dry season gives you reliable sunshine and a busy town. Green season gives you lower prices, fewer people, bigger swells, and a more local feel, plus sunsets that stay with you. Pick the season that matches what you want from the trip.
More Costa Rica surf: the best surf spots in Costa Rica, from the places I’ve surfed to where I’d go next.
Frequently Asked Questions About Weather Santa Teresa Costa Rica
When is the best time to visit Santa Teresa for good weather?
July and August were my favorite months for a mix of sunshine, good surf, and a lively town without the peak prices. If you want the most dependable dry weather, the dry season runs roughly from December to March, but expect higher prices and bigger crowds.
Is green season worth it in Santa Teresa?
Yes, if you are an intermediate or advanced surfer, on a budget, or want fewer people. Prices are lower, the lineups are quieter, and the South Pacific swells are bigger. It rains, but the rain usually comes in bursts of a few hours, and there is still plenty of sun.
Do I need a raincoat or umbrella in Santa Teresa?
Bring a raincoat. I wore one almost every day I rode my scooter. I didn’t carry an umbrella during my stay, but I would strongly recommend one now, especially if you are walking.
Are weather forecasts accurate in Santa Teresa?
Not very. The forecast often says it will rain all day when it doesn’t, or says it will be clear when the clouds are already building. I watch the clouds over the hills and the land around me instead.
Is October a good month to visit Santa Teresa?
Only if you are flexible. October was the wettest stretch I saw, with about two weeks of sunny mornings followed by rain from midday until sunset. The town is very quiet, but the ocean can be messy after heavy rain.
Do power and Wi-Fi cuts happen in Santa Teresa?
Yes, they are common during heavy rain. If you are working or need to send a booking confirmation, save what you need before a storm hits, and keep your phone charged.
