Costa Rica San José Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in San José is very-high
San José Weather in January — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 24° / 15°
- Rainfall
- 15mm · 2 days
- Crowds
- Very busy
As of 2026, San José in January averages a high of 24°C and low of 15°C with 15mm of rain over about 2 days. Peak dry season at 1,170m — mild and sunny, around 24°C/15°C. Light layers for the day and a light jacket for cool evenings. UV is extreme (11) at this altitude near the equator — strong sunscreen and a hat. A warm layer for volcano summits and the cloud forest.
January is very-high for San José.
January is peak dry season in San José and one of the best months to visit. The Central Valley sits at about 1,170m, giving it a mild 'eternal spring' climate — roughly 24°C by day and 15°C at night, with bright sun and very little rain (around 15mm).
This is the heart of the high season: reliably sunny days, ideal conditions for the volcanoes and Pacific beaches, and the lowest chance of an afternoon downpour. The trade-off is crowds and higher prices, especially over the New Year and at Manuel Antonio.
Travel score
San José January Weather Stats
Avg High
24°C
Avg Low
15°C
Rainy Days
2
15mm total
Sunshine
8h
Daily avg
Humidity
70%
comfortable
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
12 km/h
Gusts 24
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
January 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 January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Peak dry season — mostly sunny
- Best odds of clear volcano views
- Mild, comfortable 'eternal spring' climate
- Ideal for beaches and outdoor activities
Cons
- Highest prices and crowds of the year
- Extreme UV at altitude
- Manuel Antonio busy over the holidays
- Book well ahead
January Events & Festivals
- Peak dry-season tourism — book ahead
- Fiestas de Zapote (carnival/rodeo, late Dec into early Jan)
- New Year period — high prices and crowds
San José in January — Full Picture
January is peak dry season in San José and one of the best months to visit. The Central Valley sits at about 1,170m, giving it a mild 'eternal spring' climate — roughly 24°C by day and 15°C at night, with bright sun and very little rain (around 15mm).
This is the heart of the high season: reliably sunny days, ideal conditions for the volcanoes and Pacific beaches, and the lowest chance of an afternoon downpour. The trade-off is crowds and higher prices, especially over the New Year and at Manuel Antonio.
Don't underestimate the sun — at altitude near the equator the UV index is extreme even when the air feels mild. Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are essential. Evenings in the city are pleasantly cool, and the cloud forest (Monteverde) and volcano summits (Poás, Irazú) are genuinely cold, so pack a warm layer.
For day trips, the dry season gives the best odds of a clear volcano crater, though Poás can still cloud over by mid-morning — go early. Book hotels and shuttles well ahead this month.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Peak dry season at 1,170m — mild and sunny, around 24°C/15°C. Light layers for the day and a light jacket for cool evenings. UV is extreme (11) at this altitude near the equator — strong sunscreen and a hat. A warm layer for volcano summits and the cloud forest.
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 January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit San José?
San José in January is very-high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in San José in January?
San José January averages a high of 24°C and a low of 15°C.
Does it rain much in San José in January?
San José January averages 15mm of rainfall over about 2 rainy days.
What should I wear in San José in January?
Peak dry season at 1,170m — mild and sunny, around 24°C/15°C. Light layers for the day and a light jacket for cool evenings. UV is extreme (11) at this altitude near the equator — strong sunscreen and a hat. A warm layer for volcano summits and the cloud forest.
What time are sunrise and sunset in San José in January?
San José January sunrise is 05:40 and sunset is 17:35, with 11h 55min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in San José in January?
San José January air quality (AQI) averages 42, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 16μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in San José in January?
In January, San José is great for Poás/Irazú volcano day trips (clear-view odds), Arenal hot springs + La Fortuna, Pacific beaches (Manuel Antonio).
Is January peak season in San José?
San José January crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit San José
View Other Months
Planning a January 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.