Best Time to Dive Costa Rica
Across 27 Costa Rica dive sites with multi-year conditions history, March historically shows the most favorable days — 87% of sampled days in the good band.
Computed from our own conditions climatology — measured history, not brochure copy. Historical patterns, never a forecast or a guarantee.
Month by month
| Month | Historically favorable days | Water temp | Typical seas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 75% | 29°C | 1.3 m |
| Feb | 87% | 29°C | 1.2 m |
| Mar | 87% | 30°C | 1.2 m |
| Apr | 73% | 30°C | 1.3 m |
| May | 45% | 30°C | 1.6 m |
| Jun | 47% | 29°C | 1.6 m |
| Jul | 61% | 29°C | 1.5 m |
| Aug | 75% | 29°C | 1.5 m |
| Sep | 58% | 29°C | 1.6 m |
| Oct | 53% | 29°C | 1.6 m |
| Nov | 59% | 28°C | 1.6 m |
| Dec | 73% | 28°C | 1.3 m |
% = share of sampled days scoring in the favorable band, median across 27 sites with at least two years of history. Ringed = historical peak.
How does this compare worldwide? The Most Reliable Diving Months on Earth ranks 61 countries by the same measure.
Marine life seasons
Sighting patterns across the wider Galápagos & eastern Pacific region — not site-specific promises.
- Giant oceanic manta raySep–Oct
- Green sea turtleFeb–Mar
- Whale sharkSep–Nov
- Scalloped hammerheadNov–Dec
- Humpback whaleJul–Sep
Bars are Jan–Dec — months when sightings historically concentrate (GBIF occurrence records). Wildlife is never guaranteed.
Famous destinations here
Diving Costa Rica soon? Browse its dive sites with live 7-day windows — free, no account needed.
Choosing between destinations? Compare them month by month with the Trip PlannerPro