Things to Do in Costa Rica in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Costa Rica
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
78°F (26°C)
High Temp
64°F (18°C)
Low Temp
1.3 inches (33 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December nails the weather jackpot. The green season is gasping its last, leaving landscapes drunk on rain yet free of daily deluges. Trails stay open. You walk through jungle that glows.
- + The Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste flash blue skies every day. Count on 12 hours of sun, ocean at 28 °C, and no surprise soakings. Beach time is a sure bet.
- + Wildlife viewing peaks now. Forests drip green, streams still run, animals go about their business. Scarlet macaws blaze overhead. Howlers roar at dawn. Spot a quetzal? Possible.
- + Mid-month, San José flips the switch. Festivals pop, parades drum, nativity scenes called El Portal glow in every plaza. The city smells of tamales and fireworks.
Considerations
- − High season stirs. Manuel Antonio and Arenal fill up fast. By 15 December the queues lengthen. Book early. Crowds are real.
- − Hotels and domestic flights edge upward. You will not pay Christmas-week rates yet. But September prices are gone. Expect a 20 % bump.
- − The Caribbean enters soak mode. Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca can drown you in all-day rain. Skip east. Head west.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Walks
December is the park's golden hour. Canopy glows emerald, humidity drops, animals stand out against dry leaf litter. Cicadas scream. Earth smells alive. White-faced capuchins swing past. Howlers roar like lions. Beaches gleam turquoise and calm.
Booking Tip: Only 600 visitors daily. Reserve your guided walk a week ahead through licensed operators listed below. Guides spot what you will miss.
Pacific Coast Surf Lessons
Pacific swell rolls in warm. Playa Sámara, Tamarindo, Jacó serve gentle rollers for first-timers. Local coaches have surfed these breaks since childhood. Morning offshores groom the waves. Afternoon sun burns, yet a breeze cools. Salt clings to skin for hours.
Booking Tip: Same-day lessons happen, but ISA-certified schools and family bundles need a week's notice. Book ahead. You will stand up.
Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs Visits
Skies clear, revealing the perfect cone. Steam rises from 38 °C springs, mixing with cool night air. Soak in mineral rivers after hiking. That is pura vida.
Booking Tip: Springs run from $8 public pools to $80 resort day passes. Evening slots fill. Reserve two days ahead.
Rio Celeste Hiking & Tubing Adventures
The Celeste glows electric blue. Less rain equals clearer water, firmer trails. The waterfall roars. Mist feels good. Tube the gentler sections. The current pulls you through jungle.
Booking Tip: Park caps visitors. Guided tours from La Fortuna or Liberia sell out. Book several days ahead. The road is brutal.
Coffee & Chocolate Farm Tours in the Central Valley
Coffee harvest blazes from November through January. Near San José or Heredia, pickers haul baskets, machines whir, cherries ferment and smell like honey. Taste beans straight from the roaster. Chew cacao pulp. It tastes like tart lychee.
Booking Tip: Most tours include San José pickup. Reserve a few days early. Small family farms beat big operations for intimacy.
Where to Stay in Costa Rica in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid December
Festival de la Luz
San José explodes with light. Floats draped in 50,000 bulbs roll down Paseo Colón. Bands blast. Churros scent the air. Families camp curbside at noon.
Mid December
El Tope Nacional and Carnival
Next day, El Tope thunders. Finest saddle horses prance through downtown. Riders wear traditional dress. Hoofbeats echo. Carnaal follows with marimba and street food. Sensory overload guaranteed.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Costa Rica Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Rent a 4x4 vehicle. Potholes and gravel sections appear everywhere. A 4x4 is essential for secluded beaches, mountain lodges, national park trails, after recent rain. Don't gamble with a sedan.
Embrace the 'fried chicken' of Costa Rica: the chifrijo. Post-beach or post-hike, it hits hard. Rice, beans, slow-cooked pork, pico de gallo, avocado, crispy tortilla chips. Find it at any sodas.
For a less crowded wildlife experience, skip the morning rush at Manuel Antonio. Book an afternoon guided walk. Many animals stay active. The light turns gold. Crowds vanish.
Buy a 'Kolbi' or 'Claro' SIM card at the airport. Reliable, cheap data keeps Waze ahead of Google Maps here. Translate menus. Book tours last minute. Stay connected.
Avoid These Mistakes
Trying to see too much of Costa Rica in one trip. Roads wind and crawl. Pick two, maybe three bases (Arenal, Manuel Antonio, a beach town). Slow travel beats frantic dashes.
Skipping travel insurance that covers adventure activities. Medical evacuation from a remote trail or beach can be astronomically expensive. Ensure zip-lining, surfing, and more are listed.
Packing only summer clothes. Monteverde sits around 1,400 m / 4,600 ft. Central Valley nights drop cool after rain. Bring a light sweater or fleece. Shivering ruins sunsets.
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