Things to Do in Costa Rica in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Costa Rica
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Green season pricing kicks in - accommodations drop 20-35% compared to dry season, and you'll actually have negotiating power at smaller hotels and lodges
- Waterfalls are absolutely firing - places like La Fortuna and Nauyaca Falls are at their most impressive, and the cloud forests around Monteverde are living up to their name with dramatic mist
- Wildlife viewing improves significantly as animals congregate around water sources and fruiting trees - sloths, monkeys, and birds are easier to spot, and sea turtle nesting begins on both coasts
- Fewer tourists means you'll get guides and tours largely to yourself - popular spots like Manuel Antonio and Arenal aren't crowded, and you can actually enjoy the experience without fighting for space
Considerations
- Afternoon rain is basically guaranteed - May averages 18 rainy days, and those downpours typically hit between 2-5pm, lasting 1-3 hours and genuinely disrupting outdoor plans
- Some Caribbean coast roads become difficult or impassable - the unpaved sections to places like Manzanillo and parts of the southern zone can turn into muddy obstacles, adding hours to travel times
- Pacific coast surf gets inconsistent and choppy - the clean swells of dry season give way to stormy conditions, and while it's not terrible, it's noticeably less reliable for surfing
Best Activities in May
Arenal Volcano area hiking and hot springs
May is actually ideal for Arenal because the afternoon rains clear the air, giving you better volcano views in early morning - something that's often hazy in dry season. The hot springs feel more justified when you're cooling off from the humidity, and the rainforest trails around Arenal 1968 and El Silencio are lush without being totally waterlogged yet. Morning hikes from 6-10am avoid both the heat and the rain. The hanging bridges are spectacular with the increased moisture bringing out wildlife.
Monteverde Cloud Forest canopy tours and wildlife walks
The cloud forest is literally in its element during May - the mist and moisture mean you're experiencing it as intended, not the drier version tourists see in February. Quetzal sightings peak from March through June, so you're still in the window. The zip-line canopy tours actually benefit from the cooler, misty conditions - you're not roasting in the sun 100 m (328 ft) up. Book morning slots (7-9am) before clouds get too thick. The Selvatura and Sky Adventures parks handle rain well with covered platforms.
Manuel Antonio National Park beach and jungle combination
May hits a sweet spot here - the park limits visitors to 600 people per day, and you'll actually get in without the dry season lines where people wait an hour at 7am. The beaches are swimmable (unlike the rougher Pacific surf spots), and the jungle trails are manageable with proper footwear. Wildlife is concentrated and active in mornings. The afternoon rain usually holds off until 2-3pm, giving you a solid 6-hour window from park opening at 7am. Sloths, monkeys, and iguanas are reliably visible on the Punta Catedral trail.
Tortuguero canals boat tours and turtle nesting
May marks the beginning of green sea turtle nesting season on Tortuguero's Caribbean beaches - the season runs July through October, but nesting actually starts in late May and you'll avoid the July-August peak crowds. The canal boat tours through the national park are perfect in May because rain doesn't really affect them, and the waterways are full. You'll see caimans, river otters, howler monkeys, and incredible birdlife. The 29 km (18 mile) canal system is best explored early morning (6-8am) when animals are most active.
Whitewater rafting on Pacuare or Sarapiqui rivers
May is when river rafting gets genuinely exciting - the increased rainfall pumps up water levels to Class III-IV rapids without being dangerously high like September-October. The Pacuare River is considered one of the world's best rafting rivers, and May offers the ideal balance of thrilling rapids and scenery. The Sarapiqui is slightly mellower (Class II-III) and better for families. Both rivers cut through pristine rainforest where you'll see toucans and possibly river otters. Full-day trips run 6-8 hours including transportation.
San Jose Central Market and coffee plantation tours
May's afternoon rains make this the perfect time to explore San Jose's covered Mercado Central - a genuine working market where Ticos shop, not a tourist trap. The coffee plantations around the Central Valley (Doka Estate, Cafe Britt area farms) are in their post-harvest phase, so you'll see processing and roasting rather than picking, which is actually more interesting for understanding the full cycle. The higher elevation around San Jose (1,200 m / 3,937 ft) means cooler temperatures than the coasts. Reserve mornings for outdoor plantation tours, afternoons for the covered market.
May Events & Festivals
Dia de San Isidro Labrador
May 15th celebrates the patron saint of farmers with religious processions, traditional oxcart parades, and blessings of crops and animals - most visible in rural agricultural towns throughout the Central Valley and Guanacaste. It's a genuinely local celebration, not staged for tourists, where you'll see decorated oxcarts, traditional food stalls, and community gatherings. The town of San Isidro de Heredia has one of the larger celebrations.