Things to Do in Costa Rica in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Costa Rica
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season with minimal rainfall - December averages just 25 mm (1 inch) across most of the country, meaning beach days on the Pacific coast go largely uninterrupted and cloud forest hikes stay muddy-trail-free
- Green season afterglow - the landscape is still lush from October-November rains but trails have dried out, giving you that best-of-both-worlds scenario where waterfalls are flowing strong and wildlife is active around remaining water sources
- Whale watching peaks in Marino Ballena - humpback whales from the Southern Hemisphere arrive mid-December and stick around through March, with calmer seas making boat trips significantly more comfortable than rainy season crossings
- Optimal conditions for both coasts simultaneously - while you cannot visit Costa Rica year-round and get perfect weather everywhere, December is the rare month where Pacific beaches, Caribbean coast, and highland cloud forests all deliver, though the Caribbean gets slightly more rain than the Pacific
Considerations
- Peak season pricing and crowds - December 15 through January 5 sees hotel rates jump 40-60% compared to shoulder months, and popular parks like Manuel Antonio hit their 600-person daily capacity by 9am most days, particularly the week between Christmas and New Year
- Advance booking essential - rental cars, decent hotels in beach towns, and popular tours sell out 8-12 weeks ahead for the Christmas-New Year period, and showing up without reservations in places like Tamarindo or La Fortuna means settling for whatever is left at inflated walk-in rates
- Harmattan winds on the Pacific - December through March brings consistent afternoon winds to Guanacaste beaches, which keeps temperatures comfortable but creates choppy conditions for snorkeling and makes beach umbrellas a constant battle after 1pm
Best Activities in December
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve hiking
December sits in that sweet spot where trails have dried from the October-November rains but morning mist still rolls through reliably, creating those atmospheric conditions cloud forests are known for. The canopy is active with resplendent quetzals preparing for breeding season - your best chance of spotting them is 6am-9am when they are feeding on wild avocados. Trails can handle steady foot traffic without turning into mud pits, and afternoon rain is rare enough that you can plan full-day hikes without backup plans. The hanging bridges and canopy walkways stay open all day, and visibility extends further than in wetter months.
Manuel Antonio National Park beach and wildlife combination
December delivers the rare combination of calm seas for swimming, dry trails for wildlife spotting, and active animals congregating around remaining water sources after the wet season. The park limits daily visitors to 600, and December regularly hits that cap, but the upside is wildlife viewing peaks because animals concentrate in predictable areas. Three-toed sloths are visible in beachside trees, white-faced capuchins raid the beach areas mid-morning, and the protected beaches offer genuinely swimmable conditions. Low tide reveals tide pools worth 30-40 minutes of exploration. The 30-minute hike to Cathedral Point gives you Pacific views without the mud that plagues this trail May through November.
Arenal Volcano hiking and hot springs
December skies clear enough that you actually see the volcano - a significant upgrade from June through November when clouds obscure the cone most days. The 1968 lava flow trail stays dry and manageable, and the surrounding rainforest trails through Arenal National Park offer spider monkey and coati sightings without the afternoon downpours that cut hikes short in wetter months. Natural hot springs fed by volcanic activity stay at 38-40°C (100-104°F) year-round, but December evenings cool to 18-20°C (64-68°F), making the temperature contrast actually pleasant rather than the sweltering experience you get in March-April. Waterfall hikes to La Fortuna Waterfall involve 500 steps down and back up, but the swimming hole at the base stays refreshing.
Pacific coast surfing in Guanacaste
December through March brings the most consistent swells to the Pacific coast, with offshore winds in the morning creating clean wave faces before afternoon onshore winds roughen things up. Tamarindo, Nosara, and Santa Teresa all work for beginners through intermediates, with water temperatures around 27-28°C (81-82°F) requiring no wetsuit. December specifically offers smaller, more manageable waves than January-February, making it ideal for first-timers who want consistent waist-to-chest high waves rather than overhead sets. Morning sessions 6am-10am get the best conditions before wind picks up. The dry season means you are not dealing with river runoff affecting water clarity.
Caribbean coast snorkeling at Cahuita
While the Pacific gets most December attention, the Caribbean coast around Cahuita National Park offers surprisingly calm conditions in early-to-mid December before the occasional norte (northerly wind system) arrives late in the month. The coral reef system 100-200 m (330-660 ft) offshore stays protected inside the bay, with visibility reaching 8-12 m (26-39 ft) on calm days. You will spot parrotfish, angelfish, and sea turtles feeding on seagrass beds. The advantage of December over February-March is water temperature - it stays around 28°C (82°F) compared to 26°C (79°F) later in dry season, meaning you are comfortable snorkeling for 60-90 minutes without a wetsuit. The beach-rainforest combination trail takes 3-4 hours and stays mostly dry.
White-water rafting on Pacuare River
December sits at the tail end of optimal rafting season when water levels have dropped from October-November peaks but still provide Class III-IV rapids with enough volume to be exciting without being dangerous. The Pacuare River cuts through primary rainforest with canyon walls rising 100+ m (330+ ft) on either side, and December weather means you get full-day trips without rain interruptions. Wildlife spotting from the raft includes toucans, oropendolas, and occasionally river otters. Water temperature stays around 22-24°C (72-75°F), cool enough to be refreshing but not cold. The river drops 400 m (1,312 ft) over 29 km (18 miles), creating consistent action without long flat sections.
December Events & Festivals
Festival de la Luz (Festival of Light)
San Jose's main Christmas celebration typically happens the second Saturday of December, featuring a nighttime parade down Avenida Segunda with elaborate floats, marching bands, and light displays. The parade runs 6pm-10pm and draws massive crowds - locals line up hours early for good viewing spots. Street vendors sell everything from churros to cotton candy, and the energy is genuinely festive rather than tourist-oriented. It is free to attend but expect shoulder-to-shoulder crowds in the best viewing areas.
Las Fiestas de Zapote
This traditional festival runs the last week of December through early January in the Zapote neighborhood of San Jose, featuring a massive carnival with rides, food stalls, live music, and daily bullfighting events (Costa Rican style where bulls chase people in the ring but are not harmed). It is the biggest annual festival in the Central Valley and gives you a genuine look at Tico celebration culture. Entrance costs 2,000-4,000 colones depending on the day, with concerts and bullfighting included. Expect huge crowds, especially December 26-31.
Tope Nacional (National Horse Parade)
December 26 brings thousands of horses and riders into downtown San Jose for a parade celebrating Costa Rican equestrian culture and the sabanero (cowboy) tradition. The parade runs along Paseo Colon starting around 10am and continues for 4-6 hours. Riders come from across the country showing off Paso Fino horses and traditional tack. It is a genuinely local event that happens to be spectacular for visitors - free to watch from sidewalks but arrive early as crowds pack the route.