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WHEN TO GO |
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Although Costa Rica lies between 8° and 11° north of the equator,
local micro-climates predominate and make temperatures and weather
unpredictable, though to an extent you can depend upon the two-season
rule. From roughly May to mid-November you will have afternoon rains and
sunny mornings. The rains are heaviest in September and October and
while they can be fierce, will only impede you from travelling in the
more remote areas of the country - the Nicoya Peninsula especially -
where dirt roads become impassable to all but the sturdiest 4WDs. In the
dry season most areas are just that: dry all day, with occasional
blustery northern winds blowing in during January or February and
cooling things off. Otherwise you can depend upon sunshine and warm
temperatures.
In recent years Costa Rica has been booked solid during the peak season
- the North American winter months - when bargains are few and far
between. The crowds peter out after Easter, but return again to an
extent in June and July. During peak times you have to plan well in
advance, faxing the hotels of your choice, usually pre-paying or at
least putting down a deposit by credit card, and arriving armed with
faxed confirmations and a set itinerary. Travellers who prefer to play
it by ear are much better off coming during the rainy or low season (euphemistically
called the "green season"), when many hotels offer discounts. The months
of November, April (after Easter) and May are the best times to visit,
when the rains have either just started or just died off, and the
country is refreshed, green, and relatively untouristed.
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