Costa Rica San José Weather in March — Climate Guide
March in San José is very-high
San José Weather in March — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 26° / 16°
- Rainfall
- 20mm · 2 days
- Crowds
- Busy
As of 2026, San José in March averages a high of 26°C and low of 16°C with 20mm of rain over about 2 days. Warm, dry end of the dry season — around 26°C/16°C. Light layers; it's the warmest, sunniest stretch. Extreme UV (12) — diligent sun protection. Light jacket for cool nights and the highlands.
March is very-high for San José.
March is warm, dry, and sunny — the back end of the dry season and still excellent for travel. Highs reach about 26°C with cool 16°C nights and little rain (around 20mm).
Conditions are great for the volcanoes, beaches, and city alike, and the air is at its driest. UV is at its yearly peak this month, so sun protection matters more than the comfortable temperature suggests.
Travel score
San José March Weather Stats
Avg High
26°C
Avg Low
16°C
Rainy Days
2
20mm total
Sunshine
8.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
65%
comfortable
UV Index
12
Extreme
Wind
11 km/h
Gusts 22
Crowds
Busy
At attractions
March Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
18 μg/m³
PM10
33 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
27°C
Nighttime
16°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
11 km/h
Max gust 22 km/h
Activities Recommended for March
March Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Warm, dry, sunny weather
- Strong volcano-view odds
- Driest air of the year
- Great for the full circuit
Cons
- Yearly-peak UV (12)
- Semana Santa (if late March) — closures and crowds
- High-season prices
- Coastal lodging spikes over Holy Week
March Events & Festivals
- Día del Boyero (oxcart driver's day, Escazú, mid-March)
- Easter week (Semana Santa) may fall in late March — major closures
- Tail end of the dry season
San José in March — Full Picture
March is warm, dry, and sunny — the back end of the dry season and still excellent for travel. Highs reach about 26°C with cool 16°C nights and little rain (around 20mm).
Conditions are great for the volcanoes, beaches, and city alike, and the air is at its driest. UV is at its yearly peak this month, so sun protection matters more than the comfortable temperature suggests.
Watch the calendar for Semana Santa (Holy Week), which sometimes falls in late March (otherwise April). During Holy Week, Ticos flock to the beaches, many businesses and some attractions close (especially Thursday-Friday), and coastal accommodation books out and spikes in price. If your dates overlap, plan and reserve well ahead.
Otherwise, March is a reliable, sunny month. Go early to the volcanoes for the clearest crater views, and don't skip a warm layer for Monteverde and the volcano summits.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Warm, dry end of the dry season — around 26°C/16°C. Light layers; it's the warmest, sunniest stretch. Extreme UV (12) — diligent sun protection. Light jacket for cool nights and the highlands.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
Current26°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)
24.3°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 March Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to visit San José?
San José in March is very-high. Tourist crowds are busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in San José in March?
San José March averages a high of 26°C and a low of 16°C.
Does it rain much in San José in March?
San José March averages 20mm of rainfall over about 2 rainy days.
What should I wear in San José in March?
Warm, dry end of the dry season — around 26°C/16°C. Light layers; it's the warmest, sunniest stretch. Extreme UV (12) — diligent sun protection. Light jacket for cool nights and the highlands.
What time are sunrise and sunset in San José in March?
San José March sunrise is 05:35 and sunset is 17:45, with 12h 10min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in San José in March?
San José March air quality (AQI) averages 46, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 18μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in San José in March?
In March, San José is great for Volcano day trips (clear-view odds), Pacific beaches, Arenal hot springs.
Is March peak season in San José?
San José March crowds are busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit San José
View Other Months
Planning a March trip to San José?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
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.