Costa Rica Weather in August
| Avg. temperature: 23°C / 73°F | Sun: 5 Hrs (sunshine), 12.4 Hrs (daylight) |
| Rain: 277 mm | Avg. humidity: 85% |
The month of August in Costa Rica marks the gradual end to the ‘light’ rainy season, as the storms can start to pick up towards the end of the month. The majority of the month is very similar to its predecessors, with clear sunny mornings with an hour or two of rainfall in the afternoon or evening. Like the rest of the year, the Costa Rica temperature in August still sees daily highs of 27°C (80°F). Depending on the year this can pick up towards the end of the month, with more frequent rainfalls, or it can remain pretty dry and average for the rest of the month.
Some years have produced what is called ‘veranillo,’ which means little summer. If you are traveling in a year that has a veranillo, August will be a dry month, similar to the months that occurred earlier in the year, making these usually rainy months a ‘little summer.’ It is more likely that veranillo would happen through July, but would be truly lucky to experience it in August.
Thankfully, Costa Rica is a year round tropical paradise, so even when visiting Costa Rica in August you will never fall short of activities. From the rainforest to the city, August is becoming known as a great time to travel to Costa Rica!
Things to do in Costa Rica in August
Best places in Costa Rica in August
Cooler temperatures in August mean the peak season is officially over, and the rain is starting to roll in. However, there are many parts of Costa Rica where it hardly feels like the rainy season has started. This allows for many opportunities to enjoy Costa Rica’s gems all around the country.
Northwest Coast
On the northwest coast of Costa Rica, you will find a few places where the rainy season hasn’t really started yet. Tamarindo, Nosara, and the Nicoya Peninsula are some of the best beaches in Costa Rica in August. Days at the beach may be cut a bit short for some rainfall, but the mornings and early afternoons are prime time to relax on the soft sands and enjoy the waves. While Tamarindo and Nosara are known for surfing, you can explore the Nicoya Peninsula for some of the most beautiful and secluded beaches in Costa Rica during your visit to Costa Rica in August.
Tortuguero National Park
Costa Rica in August is a special time of year for sea turtle nesting. The best place to see this is at Tortuguero National Park. At this park you can see Green Sea Turtles, Hawksbill turtles, and Leatherback turtles come ashore and lay their eggs in the beautiful Tortuguero beaches. Once poached by turtle hunters, these turtles are now protected by national laws as well as conservationists working at the Tortuguero National Park. If you’re lucky, you may even see a group of hatchlings making their way to the ocean!
Any Rainforest/National Park
One of the benefits of traveling to Costa Rica in August is that it is still part of the ‘light’ rainy season. During this time the rainforests are in full swing, the foliage is healthy and vibrant, the wildlife come out to play (their food and water sources are now more abundant), and there are less crowds. When planning thrips to the rainforest, we recommend planning morning activities, just in case there is an afternoon shower, however, if you bring light rain gear you’ll be able to weather the storm.
Events in Costa Rica in August
August has a couple festivals and events that would make your trip to Costa Rica in August extra special. During this month you have the opportunity to experience a festival that is known as one of the most important days of the year for the people of Costa Rica, the day celebrating Virgen de Los Angeles.
Virgen de Los Angeles
Every year on August 2nd, Costa Ricans from all over the country make a pilgrimage to Cartago, a city not far from San Jose to capture a glimpse of La Negrita, a statue that depicts a black Virgin Mary holding Jesus. About a million people make their way to Cartago on foot, to celebrate the Virgin Mary and the figure that represents her. The figure was found in 1635 by an idigenous girl in the middle of the forest. If you go to Cartago to witness this day, expect crowds and processions, as well as masses happening all over Costa Rica.
Fiesta Ciudad Colon
If you prefer a more lively festival, this one held on August 8th will surely keep you entertained. A street fair with local music and cuisine, you can find local performances and many local dishes. Grab a dance partner and feel the rhythm of pura vida as you enjoy the local sounds and flavors of Costa Rica. It is important to note that as it is tradition, this festival does have a bull fighting event, but without the bloodshed.
National Parks Day
On August 24th, there is a holiday set aside dedicated to the National Parks in Costa Rica, as this is the day when the national parks were formed and initiated. Costa Rica has 169 protected areas, which include forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and national monuments. On this day entrance to all national parks is free and you are able to find special events that happen in each park!
Cover photo source: https://www.naturalworldsafaris.com/latin-america/costa-rica/when-to-go/august
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Jan • Feb • Mar • Apr • May • Jun • Jul • Aug • Sep • Oct • Nov • Dec