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We’ve been coming to Tamarindo since December 2011, and by now we’ve been here in every month of the year (the soggy ones included). The good news for planning a trip is that the weather here is pretty predictable. It’s sunny and dry for about half the year and green and stormy for the other half. Every year throws in a surprise or two, but the pattern below holds up most years.
One thing to keep in mind as you read: this is Tamarindo’s weather, not all of Costa Rica’s. Guanacaste is one of the driest parts of the country. Head south or up into the mountains and you’ll get a lot more rain (and in Monteverde, a lot more cold).
The Short Version
- Dry season: December to April. Sunny almost every day, with highs right around 90°F.
- Green season: May to November. Mornings are usually sunny and the storms tend to come later in the day.
- Wettest months: September and October. October averages about 14 inches of rain.
- Our favorite: December and January, right after the rains, when everything’s green.
- The “veranillo”: July often brings a drier stretch in the middle of the green season. Nice when it shows up, but don’t plan around it.
Tamarindo’s Two Seasons
Dry season (December to April)
This is the Tamarindo most people picture. Clear skies and hot afternoons, with almost no rain. All five dry months put together average only about 2.5 inches of rain. By March the hills have turned golden and brown, and the town is at its busiest, especially over the holidays and spring break.
Green season (May to November)
Locals call it the green season (you’ll also hear “rainy season”), and it’s the one we wish more people knew about. A typical day starts sunny, then the clouds build and a storm rolls through later on. The hills turn green and the crowds thin out. Prices drop, too. It rains a little more each month until it peaks in September and October, then it tapers off through November.
Tamarindo Weather by Month
These are long-term averages, so treat them as a guide, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg high | Rain | Days with rain | Humidity | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 90°F | 0.2 in (4 mm) | 7 | 65% | Sunny and green. Our favorite |
| February | 91°F | 0.1 in (4 mm) | 5 | 62% | The driest month. Can be windy |
| March | 92°F | 0.2 in (5 mm) | 5 | 60% | Hot and dry. The sunniest month |
| April | 92°F | 1.4 in (36 mm) | 7 | 62% | Still dry. The hottest month on average |
| May | 89°F | 9.5 in (242 mm) | 17 | 73% | The rains usually start |
| June | 87°F | 11.3 in (286 mm) | 22 | 81% | Green season settles in |
| July | 88°F | 7.2 in (182 mm) | 20 | 78% | Often a drier spell (the veranillo) |
| August | 87°F | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 21 | 81% | Sunny mornings, afternoon storms |
| September | 86°F | 13.0 in (331 mm) | 23 | 86% | One of the two wettest months |
| October | 86°F | 13.9 in (354 mm) | 21 | 86% | The wettest month. Quiet and very green |
| November | 87°F | 4.6 in (118 mm) | 12 | 80% | The rains ease off |
| December | 88°F | 0.6 in (14 mm) | 10 | 72% | Dry season begins |
Source: Weather and Climate, Tamarindo averages, checked October 2026. Humidity comes from the Liberia station, about 36 miles inland. “Days with rain” counts any rain at all, so January’s 4 mm spread over 7 days is a sprinkle, not a storm. Nights stay warm all year and rarely drop below about 70°F.
Month by Month, From Our Years Here
December and January
This is our very favorite time of year in Tamarindo. The rainy season has just ended, so the whole town is green and in bloom. You might see a short storm in the first week or so of December, but after that, expect clear, sunny skies with highs in the high 80s to around 90. Humidity runs around 65% to 70%, a lot lower than in the green season. It’s also the busiest stretch of the year, so book early if you’re coming for Christmas or New Year’s.
February and March
Tamarindo is at its hottest and driest in February and March. Highs sit in the low 90s, and some days push into the mid 90s. Don’t expect to see a cloud in the sky, and certainly don’t expect rain. It can get a little windy this time of year, but the warm days make it worth it. Humidity is still around 60%, so it’s not exactly dry air, but it’s as comfortable as it gets.
April and May
April is usually still dry and hot (on average it’s actually the hottest month), and it’s a wonderful time to be here once the Easter week crowds head home. May is when the rains tend to start, and the hills start turning green. Expect mostly sunny mornings and more afternoon showers as the month goes on. This is also frog season in Tamarindo, so expect to hear frogs around the pools at night.
June, July and August
Tamarindo is beautiful during the American summer months. Highs are in the high 80s, and everything is “greening up.” Rain comes more often now, but in our experience the storms are usually short and don’t get in the way of vacation plans. Humidity climbs to around 80%, so you’ll feel it. July often brings the veranillo, or “little summer,” a drier stretch of a week or two when the rain backs off. Some years it shows up and some years it doesn’t, so think of it as a bonus.
September and October
This is the real green season. Some years it rains a lot in September and some years only a handful of times, but when it does rain, expect a good storm. By October, expect rain many if not most days. Storms can last anywhere from an hour to most of a day. Highs are in the mid 80s and the evenings are a touch cooler.
If you’re looking to relax and switch off, it’s a lovely time to be here, because the town is very mellow and quiet. It’s also usually the least expensive time of year to visit.
November and Thanksgiving
The rains ease off through November, and by Thanksgiving the rainy season is usually tapering off. You may still see a storm or two. We came down for Thanksgiving in 2012 with friends, and found exactly that. Everything was green and the weather was calm and a little cooler, with just a bit of rain. It’s a great place to celebrate a US-style Thanksgiving, though the town gets busier that week, so book ahead.
November is also retreat season for us. Erin’s Five Parks Yoga retreats (ours) run in Nosara, down the coast, in November and again in April. The next ones are November 14 to 21, 2026, then April 10 to 17 and November 13 to 20, 2027.
Planning Around the Weather
Heading up to the mountains?
If you’re adding Arenal and Monteverde to your trip, pack layers. Monteverde’s highs are only around 70 to 73°F from December through February, and nights drop to about 60°F. It’s windy up there from late December through March, too. After two months on the hot Guanacaste coast, the cold felt amazing to us.
The holidays book first
Whatever the weather, these weeks fill up fastest:
- Christmas and New Year’s.
- Easter week (Semana Santa).
- Spring break.
- Thanksgiving.
If you’re weighing dates for Casa Colorado (our house in Tamarindo, which we rent out when we’re not there), its weather and rates by month guide shows when rates are lower.
Once you’ve picked your dates, here’s what to bring to Tamarindo. Then read our beach tips and things to do in Tamarindo with kids (plenty of them work on a rainy afternoon). Coming to surf? See surfing in Tamarindo.
FAQ
What is the best time of year to visit Tamarindo?
Our favorite is December and January, right after the rainy season, when everything’s green and the skies are clear. For the most reliable sunshine, come any time from December to April. For lower prices and a quieter town, the green season from May to November is a great choice.
What is the rainiest month in Tamarindo?
October, with about 14 inches of rain on average. September is close behind at about 13 inches. Together they’re the wettest and quietest stretch of the year.
When is the dry season in Tamarindo?
Roughly December through April. All five months together average only about 2.5 inches of rain, and February and March are the driest.
Is it worth visiting Tamarindo in the rainy season?
We think so. Green season days usually start sunny, with storms later in the day, and you get a greener and quieter town at lower prices. Just pack a rain jacket, especially for September and October.
What is the veranillo in Costa Rica?
The veranillo, or “little summer,” is a drier stretch in the middle of the green season, usually in July. It can last a week or two, but some years it never really shows up, so don’t plan a trip around it.
How hot does it get in Tamarindo?
Average highs run from about 86°F in September and October to about 92°F in March and April, and some dry season days reach the mid 90s. Nights stay warm all year, rarely dropping below about 70°F.
Last checked October 2026.