Things to Do in Costa Rica in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
High Season · Book Early
February Weather in Costa Rica
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
80°F (27°C)
High Temp
64°F (18°C)
Low Temp
0.4 inches (10 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ UV index reaches 8 - sunburn possible in 15 minutes without protection
⚠ Afternoon pop-up storms can cause flash flooding on mountain roads
Is February Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Dry season opens the backcountry. Monteverde's cloud forest is reachable without 4WD. The dirt road to Santa Teresa stays solid, not soupy. No mudslide roulette.
- + Wildlife viewing peaks. Quetzals nest in Savegre Valley. Humpback whales calve in Marino Ballena. Turtle tours at Ostional log thousands of arrivals.
- + Sunset clocks in at 5:45pm. Golden hour starts by 4:30pm. Light strikes Manuel Antonio's beaches at the perfect angle. Snap away.
- + River rafting runs at optimal levels. Pacuare's Class III-IV rapids stay technical, not terrifying. Reventazón carries enough water for full-day trips.
Considerations
- − Peak season pricing hits hard. Manuel Antonio hotels jump from $80 in September to $280. Even sodas slap on 'seasonal' surcharges.
- − Rental car shortages are real. San José airport fleet can be 70% booked by December. You get the dregs at premium rates.
- − Popular trails bottleneck early. Cerro Chato near Arenal jams by 9am. Expect 45-minute waits at the ladder sections.
Best Activities in February
Top things to do during your visit
Cloud Forest Birdwatching Tours
February's dry mornings in Monteverde deliver actual visibility. Quetzal spotting soars. Males flash 60 cm (24-inch) tail feathers during mating season. The 6am tours catch them feeding on wild avocados. Clouds roll in around 10am.
Booking Tip: Book 2-3 days ahead through licensed operators. See current options in booking section below. Top guides carry Swarovski scopes. They know which trees the quetzals favor this week.
Whale Tail Hiking and Snorkeling Combos
The sandbar at Marino Ballena forms a perfect whale tail shape in February's low tides. Humpback calves approach kayaks out of curiosity. Morning tours beat the 11am winds. Visibility stays clear.
Booking Tip: Tide timing beats weather. Check the tidal chart. Book early morning when the sandbar is exposed. Snorkeling is clearest then.
Coffee Harvest Experience Tours
February is peak harvest in the Central Valley. Coffee cherries turn ruby-red. Processing mills run 24/7. You can pick cherries at Doka Estate. Follow them through the wet mill and drying patios.
Booking Tip: Afternoon tours add cupping sessions. Taste the difference between strictly hard bean and lower altitude coffee. Weekdays bring smaller groups.
Turtle Nesting Night Tours
Ostional sees arribadas around the new moon. Thousands of olive ridleys haul up simultaneously. They sometimes blanket the entire beach. February's dry nights give better walking conditions. Star viewing sharpens.
Booking Tip: Go only with certified guides who use red lights. White flashlights disorient the turtles. Tours start at 8pm when most nesting begins.
White Water Rafting Day Trips
Pacuare River levels are perfect. Technical enough to thrill, low enough to run. The 18-mile stretch through primary rainforest mixes Class III-IV rapids with calm pools. Toucans pose overhead.
Booking Tip: Full-day trips include riverside lunch. Operators who bring fresh fruit and cold drinks score happier guides. Safety records improve.
Where to Stay in Costa Rica in February
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for February travellers.
February Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid February
Fiestas Cívicas de San Isidro
San Isidro de El General throws a proper agricultural fair. Bull riding fills the main plazaera. Ox cart parades roll. Chicharrón contests fry pork belly in 200-liter drums. Street food sprawls across 12 blocks along Calle 2.
Late February
Envision Festival
Uvita's beach rave flips the quiet town into a barefoot city of 8,000 dancers. The lineup leans electronic and reggae. The real magic hits at 3am when drum circles ignite on the sand.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
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
Book restaurants by WhatsApp. Most sodas and even upscale spots in Manuel Antonio answer messages faster than calls. Save numbers on arrival.
The 6am bus from San José to Cahuita costs half the shuttle fare. It rolls in by 10am. You beat the crowds to Playa Negra's black sand.
Ticos skip 10% tips at restaurants. A few coins for stellar service is normal. Tourist zones expect more because foreigners overpay.
Gas station ATMs offer the best exchange rates. Banco Nacional machines on the Interamericana highway win. Airport ATMs skim 7-8%.
Avoid These Mistakes
Avoid booking Pacuare rafting for the last day. You will be too sore to board your flight. Schedule it day 3 when muscles can recover.
Dry season still delivers rain. Monteverde can drip misty drizzle that soaks faster than real rain. Always pack rain gear.
Never drive to Santa Teresa in a sedan. The final 15 km (9 miles) of road will shred the suspension. Kiss your deposit goodbye.
Explore More Activities in Costa Rica
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Costa Rica.
See All Costa Rica Tours on Viator