Playa Grande has two seasons, and both have something going for them. Here is what to expect month by month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Dry season: December to April
This is high season in Guanacaste. Expect blue skies almost every day, warm temperatures, steady offshore winds in the mornings and very little rain. The landscape turns golden and dry, and the beaches are at their busiest, especially around Christmas, New Year and Easter week (Semana Santa).
Best for: guaranteed sunshine, family holidays, sunset sails and first-time visitors.
Book early: villas and tours fill up months ahead for the holidays.
Green season: May to November
Costa Ricans call the rainy season the época verde. A typical day starts sunny, with a heavy shower in the afternoon or evening, and the hills turn bright green. Prices are lower, the beaches are quieter and the surf is bigger and more consistent.
May to August: usually the gentlest part of the green season. July often brings a dry spell locals call the veranillo ("little summer").
September and October: the wettest months. Some roads and small businesses slow down, but you will have the beach almost to yourself.
November: the rain tapers off and the countryside is at its greenest.
Best for: surfers, wildlife lovers, travellers on a budget and anyone who likes quiet beaches.
Leatherback turtle season
Playa Grande is one of the most important nesting beaches for the leatherback sea turtle on the Pacific coast. Nesting season usually runs from about October to February, and the beach is part of Las Baulas National Marine Park. Night visits are only allowed on official guided tours. Read our guide to leatherback turtle season and the Las Baulas Park page for more.
Our pick
For sunshine and an easy first trip, come between mid-December and April. For value, surf and green landscapes, try June, July or November.
Whenever you come, Casa Perico Azul's private pool and shaded terrace make the hottest dry-season afternoons and the rainiest green-season evenings equally easy.
