Costa Rica in June… Way to go! It is the rainy season, although in Costa Rica rainy days are not really rainy days. The usual is sunny mornings and two or three hours of rain in the afternoons. It is a time where you will find students and families and Costa Rica is luscious green from coast to coast, border to border.
Besides the fact that it may rain occasionally, June is probably one of the best times in the year to come to Costa Rica. Still sunny with occasional two hours periods of rain, June is when life comes back. The landscapes turn luscious green and species come out to feed everywhere.
This together with the fact that the rates already come down and lodges and resorts are virtually empty.
Seasons:
Costa Rica doesn’t really have seasons, as the temperature changes just a little bit from period to period, yes “period”.
If you are in:
The Pacific Coast, Central Valley, Southern areas and the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, the sunny period goes from December to April, even May. (Our grandparents used to say that if by May 20th it had not rained, it wouldn’t rain at all). And then, of course, vice versa for the rainy season: From May to November.
If you are in:
Anywhere in the Caribbean Coast, Turrialba, the West side of the Central and Talamanca Mountain Ranges, Sarapiqui or Arenal areas, the sunny period is different.
June is the rainy season!
Diverse Climates
We have to realize that the climates and therefore the landscapes of Costa Rica vary considerably by sector. The coastal areas are usually hot, and the highlands are ordinarily cooler. As you travel south on the Pacific coast, moisture levels rise. The Caribbean Coast and almost all the Northern Area is generally hot and humid. And when it rains it pours.
The more humidity and rain there is in a region, it will be more exuberant and wildlife sightings are more common.
Costa Rica Weather Chart Month by Month:
Source: Climate Change Knowledge Portal
Read also: Can you really enjoy Costa Rica in the rainy season?
Weather Map:
Costa Rica Weather in June:
As you can see in the chart above, it really depends on where you are to know what the weather is like.
Yes, June is definitely rainy season. Now… What does that mean? Different from other locations in the World, our rainy season is quite sunny in the mornings. It is a great time to come and see the rainforest as alive as can be.
There is plenty of food so animals are quite active, and it is cooler than it would be for the sunny season. Remember we have no winter. So, the temperature fluctuates maybe two or three Celsius degrees, but it is quite steady.
Wildlife Sightings in June:

Dolphins in Golfo Dulce
Dolphins
Best time to see them: Year-round. Several species such as bottlenose and spotted dolphins can be seen all year so you have a good chance to see them.
The Best places to go dolphin watching:
- Drake Bay
- Golfo Dulce
- Dominical (Parque Marino Ballena)
- Tambor
- Golfo de Nicoya
- Tamarindo and surroundings.
- Caribbean: Limon and South Caribbean
*Some lucky people has seen dolphins in the Tortuguero Canals
Turtles
Best time to see them: All year round: Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Pacific Green Sea Turtle.
Best places to see Sea Turtles:
- Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas (Playa Grande (Close to Tamarindo)
- Santa Rosa National Park
- Ostional Wildlife Refuge (Arribadas)
Birdwatching
June is great to see the resident and endemic species of Costa Rica. It’s a great time to know antbirds, watch a lot of activity from trogons and get fascinated with mixed flocks.

Gray Blue Tanager
Migratory Species
In June, there are some migratory species coming from the Southern winter like Scissor Tailed Kites.
Birds in General:
It is a time of year to see frugivores and insectivores.
Resplendent Quetzal
Visible in Monteverde and Savegre in June as other high areas of the mountain ranges. This is the time of year when species are mating and watching for their eggs and little ones. The mating dances and songs are on and sometimes, the feathers and noises show can be amazing.
The rest of the bird species can be seen all year round… June is no exception.
Read also: Traveling in Costa Rica: A personal development trip to oneself
In the tourism area
Cruises and attractions
There are no cruise dates in June.
In Manuel Antonio, you will probably have to make a line in the mornings to get in the National Park and in Tortuguero, there might be some waiting time on the boats before getting in the main National Park canals.
However, there will definitely be less crowded than in the sunny season.
If you like to know more about Costa Rica in June, concerts, how to get tickets or simply where to spend this marvelous time in Costa Rica… Please ask our Travel Consultants simply clicking here