Costa Rica San José Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in San José is high
San José Weather in December — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 24° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 40mm · 4 days
- Crowds
- Very busy
As of 2026, San José in December averages a high of 24°C and low of 15°C with 40mm of rain over about 4 days. Dry season returns — mild and sunny, around 24°C/15°C. Light layers by day, a light jacket for cool evenings. Strong UV. Warm layer for Monteverde and the volcano summits.
December is high for San José.
December swings back into the dry season and high season — sunny, mild, and festive. The Central Valley returns to its 'eternal spring' form at about 24°C by day and 15°C at night, with rainfall low (around 40mm) and skies clearing.
It's one of the best-weather months, with reliably dry days good for the volcanoes, beaches, and city. The catch is that the Christmas-New Year period is the busiest and most expensive of the year — Manuel Antonio and the popular lodges fill up, so book far ahead.
Travel score
San José December Weather Stats
Avg High
24°C
Avg Low
15°C
Rainy Days
4
40mm total
Sunshine
7.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
72%
comfortable
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
12 km/h
Gusts 24
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
16 μg/m³
PM10
30 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
25°C
Nighttime
15°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
12 km/h
Max gust 24 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dry season returns — sunny and mild
- Good volcano-view odds
- Festive season (Festival de la Luz, Zapote)
- Great conditions for the full circuit
Cons
- Peak Christmas/New Year prices and crowds
- Popular lodges book out far ahead
- Manuel Antonio very busy
- Strong UV
December Events & Festivals
- Dry season begins — high season returns
- Christmas (Dec 25) and New Year — peak prices and crowds
- Fiestas de Zapote (Dec 25-Jan, San José carnival and rodeo)
- Festival de la Luz (light parade, mid-December)
San José in December — Full Picture
December swings back into the dry season and high season — sunny, mild, and festive. The Central Valley returns to its 'eternal spring' form at about 24°C by day and 15°C at night, with rainfall low (around 40mm) and skies clearing.
It's one of the best-weather months, with reliably dry days good for the volcanoes, beaches, and city. The catch is that the Christmas-New Year period is the busiest and most expensive of the year — Manuel Antonio and the popular lodges fill up, so book far ahead.
The city is festive: the Festival de la Luz light parade in mid-December and the Fiestas de Zapote (a carnival with bullfighting-style rodeo events) around year-end bring crowds and energy to San José.
Volcano-view odds are good again, best with an early start. Pack light layers and sun protection, plus a warm layer for the cool cloud forest and volcano summits. City evenings are crisp and pleasant.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Dry season returns — mild and sunny, around 24°C/15°C. Light layers by day, a light jacket for cool evenings. Strong UV. Warm layer for Monteverde and the volcano summits.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
26°C
16.7°C
8/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
26°C
17°C
17.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
25.3°C
16°C
18/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current24.3°C
15°C
2.3/mo
San José Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 24° | 15° | 2d·15mm | 8h | 70% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 25° | 15° | 1d·10mm | 8.5h | 68% | 11 | Busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 26° | 16° | 2d·20mm | 8.5h | 65% | 12 | Busy | Peak |
| April (Best) | 26° | 17° | 5d·50mm | 7.5h | 68% | 12 | Busy | Peak |
| 26° | 17° | 17d·230mm | 6h | 78% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 26° | 17° | 19d·245mm | 5.5h | 80% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 26° | 17° | 16d·180mm | 6h | 78% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 26° | 17° | 18d·210mm | 5.5h | 80% | 11 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 26° | 16° | 20d·280mm | 5h | 82% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 25° | 16° | 21d·295mm | 5h | 82% | 10 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 25° | 16° | 13d·130mm | 6h | 78% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| December (Best) | 24° | 15° | 4d·40mm | 7.5h | 72% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
San José December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit San José?
San José in December is high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in San José in December?
San José December averages a high of 24°C and a low of 15°C.
Does it rain much in San José in December?
San José December averages 40mm of rainfall over about 4 rainy days.
What should I wear in San José in December?
Dry season returns — mild and sunny, around 24°C/15°C. Light layers by day, a light jacket for cool evenings. Strong UV. Warm layer for Monteverde and the volcano summits.
What time are sunrise and sunset in San José in December?
San José December sunrise is 05:35 and sunset is 17:30, with 11h 55min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in San José in December?
San José December air quality (AQI) averages 42, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 16μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in San José in December?
In December, San José is great for Volcano day trips (clear-view odds), Pacific beaches, Arenal hot springs.
Is December peak season in San José?
San José December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit San José
View Other Months
Planning a December trip to San José?
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.