Costa Rica Weather in December
| Avg. temperature: 22°C / 72°F | Sun: 12 Hrs per day |
| Rain: 33 mm | Avg. humidity: 74% |
As the year draws to a close, and work shuts out for the holidays, what better way to escape the biting cold than to go to a country that is just entering its sunny and mild season? Costa Rica in December is the best way to conclude your year with salsa, swim, and sun! To add more to the fun, Costa Rica’s green wonders are at full force as the close of the wet season has brought forth the freshest and most vibrant flora and fauna! Experience the customs, celebrations and fun as a spectacular lineup of festivals and fairs fill the streets in all towns. Costa Rica will not disappoint you on your sunny winter getaway.
A Tale of Two Seasons
While the weather in Costa Rica is generally advertised to be sunny with light sprinkles in December, it is worth noting that the country tends to put on two faces in this regard. Since the region is sandwiched between two oceans and divided by high mountains, Costa Rica experiences two seasons within its territory. The Carribean side of the country would be in the middle of its wet season, while on the Pacific side commences its dry season. Although slightly milder, those who would like a Carribean adventure would find it helpful to bring some light rainwear along with plenty of sunscreen as it is milder than what can be imagined of a wet season. For our travelers who just want to sit back and have fun in the sun, the vast stretch of Pacific coastline will be comfortably warm enough for some beachside leisure.
The Papagayo Winds
Costa Rica is not unfamiliar to meteorological phenomena. The Papagayo Winds barrels through the eastern portion of the country, with some offshore gusts topping 50 mph! Although it is not a boaters dream, for our surfers wanting to play ‘Beach Party’, relish in the experience as you’ll be riding the waves in full force.
Hotels in Costa Rica in December
Are you interested in travelling and taking a break of it all during Winter Break, but you are worried that everybody else has the same idea as you? Be one step ahead of everyone and take advantage of the opportunity that Costa Rica has to offer! The great thing about travelling to Costa Rica in December is that you will experience a low season and peak season in the same month! Taking this into consideration, there is a vast plethora of all-inclusive resorts, vacation rentals, eco-hotels, and golf resorts along the Carribean coast, Pacific coast, and the lush interior!
Christmas Spirit
Costa Rica does not mind whether you are naughty or nice, everybody deserves a tropical Christmas! Christmas in Costa Rica is a time of vibrance, lights, parades, festivals, concerts and family gatherings. Costa Rica’s Christmas celebrations begin with the Festival de la Luz. This is when San Jose is transformed into the city of lights. Parades take place headlined by almost 1,500 musicians in participation. “Noche Bueno”, or Christmas Eve, is a feast day of roast pork, tamales, eggnog with rum and other Latin American specialties. Take a visit to the Christmas tree in front of the Children’s Hospital in San Jose. This tree is the best known and celebrated Christmas tree in the country.
Another Christmas celebration is the old Spanish custom of bullfighting. Do not be alarmed, it is against the law to hurt the bull in any manner. It’s actually a ‘corrida’, which means “run”. A corrida is essentially a rodeo where the bullfighter’s goal is to outrun the animal without being horned. Following the animal trend, the ‘Tope Nacional de Caballos’ is a national horse parade that celebrates the agricultural heritage of Costa Rica. During the festival, horsemen parade the streets, as well as the famous painted oxcarts from the city of Sarachi. Catch the horse parade on Paseo Colon on December 26.
Punctuating the Christmas craze is Costa Rica’s very own Carnival celebration on December 27. Rhythm, spice, floats, dancers and colour is what defines the Carnival Nacional. Along Paseo Colon and Avenida Segundo are colourful floats, dancers, traditional clothing, and amazing energy running through the arteries of San Jose!
Cover photo source: https://www.fodors.com/world/mexico-and-central-america/costa-rica/experiences/news/these-are-the-10-best-beaches-in-costa-rica
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica: Jan • Feb • Mar • Apr • May • Jun • Jul • Aug • Sep • Oct • Nov • Dec