Things to Do in Costa Rica in September
September weather, activities, events & insider tips
September Weather in Costa Rica
Is September Right for You?
Advantages
- Lowest accommodation prices of the year - hotels in popular areas like Manuel Antonio and Arenal drop rates by 30-50% compared to December through April. You'll find beachfront rooms for $80-120 that cost $200+ in high season, and booking flexibility is excellent since properties rarely sell out.
- Spectacular wildlife viewing as September marks peak nesting season for sea turtles on both coasts. Tortuguero sees massive green turtle arrivals, while the Pacific side hosts olive ridleys. The rain also brings out amphibians - you'll spot poison dart frogs and red-eyed tree frogs that hide during dry months.
- Lush landscapes at their absolute greenest. The waterfalls are thundering with full flow (La Fortuna Waterfall is particularly impressive right now), the cloud forests are living up to their name, and the countryside looks like someone turned up the saturation. Photography is stunning if you time it between rain showers.
- Fewer tourists means genuine local interactions and no crowding at major sites. You'll actually have space at Monteverde's hanging bridges, won't wait in lines at Manuel Antonio's entrance, and can book popular restaurants same-day. Locals have more time to chat, and you get a more authentic sense of how Costa Rica actually functions.
Considerations
- Rain is a daily reality - September sits firmly in the wet season with afternoon downpours that typically roll in between 2pm and 5pm. These aren't light sprinkles but proper tropical storms that can last 1-3 hours. Some secondary roads in rural areas become challenging or impassable, particularly in the southern Pacific zone and parts of the Caribbean coast.
- Caribbean coast accessibility is genuinely difficult. September is the rainiest month on that side, and the Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo road can flood. Some lodges in remote areas temporarily close, and boat tours to places like Tortuguero get cancelled more frequently. If the Caribbean is your primary destination, September isn't ideal.
- Some tour operators reduce schedules or close entirely. Certain canopy tour operations in Monteverde run limited hours, and a handful of smaller beach towns see restaurants operating on reduced days. You'll still find plenty open, but don't expect every business listed in guidebooks to be available, especially in quieter beach communities like Samara or Montezuma.
Best Activities in September
Arenal hot springs and volcano area exploration
September rain actually enhances the hot springs experience - there's something particularly satisfying about soaking in 38°C (100°F) thermal water while warm rain falls around you. The volcano is frequently cloud-covered, but early mornings (6am-8am) offer your best visibility window. The surrounding rainforest trails are muddy but alive with wildlife, and you'll likely spot howler monkeys, sloths, and toucans without the crowds. The area stays open year-round and the infrastructure handles rain well.
Manuel Antonio National Park hiking
The park limits daily visitors to 600 people, and in September you'll find it genuinely peaceful - maybe 200-300 visitors on average days. Trails can be slippery, so the park requires decent footwear at the entrance. Go first thing when gates open at 7am - you'll finish the main trails by noon before heavy rain typically starts, and morning is prime time for spotting the park's famous three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchins, and scarlet macaws. The beaches inside are swimmable even with afternoon clouds.
Monteverde and Santa Elena cloud forest reserves
September is actually ideal for cloud forest exploration - the rain and mist are what create these ecosystems, so you're seeing them at their most authentic. The hanging bridges and canopy walkways operate in light rain (they close only for lightning), and the reduced visibility adds an almost mystical quality. Resplendent quetzals are still around feeding on wild avocados, and the wet conditions bring out incredible insect diversity. Wear layers since it's cooler at 1,400 m (4,600 ft) elevation, typically 15-20°C (59-68°F).
Tortuguero canals boat tours
The canal system is Costa Rica's Amazon-like waterway network, and September water levels are high enough for boats to access smaller tributaries usually too shallow. You'll glide past caimans, river turtles, Jesus Christ lizards running on water, and multiple monkey species. September is peak green turtle nesting season - nighttime beach tours (separately booked) offer chances to see 180 kg (400 lb) turtles laying eggs. The village itself is car-free and wonderfully low-key. Weather is wet but tours run unless there's dangerous lightning.
Pacific coast surfing lessons
September brings consistent swells to the Pacific, and the lack of crowds means you'll actually have space in the lineup. Tamarindo, Jaco, and Santa Teresa all have surf schools operating year-round with instructors who know how to work with September conditions. The water is warm at 27-28°C (81-82°F), so you only need a rashguard. Morning sessions (7am-10am) typically happen before rain arrives. Even if you've never surfed, the beach breaks are forgiving and September's smaller crowds mean more waves for learners.
San Jose cultural sites and coffee plantation tours
When afternoon rain hits, San Jose makes perfect sense. The capital is underappreciated but offers excellent museums - the Gold Museum and Jade Museum are world-class and fully indoors. The National Theater is stunning and offers daytime tours for $10. September is actually harvest preparation time on coffee plantations in the Central Valley surrounding San Jose, and tours show the pruning and preparation process before October's harvest begins. The cooler, misty weather at plantation elevations of 1,200-1,500 m (3,900-4,900 ft) is pleasant for walking tours.
September Events & Festivals
Independence Day celebrations
September 15 is Costa Rica's Independence Day, and the entire country participates. The night before (September 14), towns across Costa Rica hold lantern parades where schoolchildren carry homemade faroles (paper lanterns) while the national anthem plays at exactly 6pm. September 15 itself features parades with school marching bands, traditional dancing, and everyone wearing blue and white. It's genuinely festive and family-oriented rather than touristy. San Jose has the largest celebrations, but smaller towns like Sarchi or Grecia offer more intimate experiences.