Best Time to Visit Tamarindo: Month-by-Month Weather, Crowds and Prices
By Rob Cosman | Updated August 2026
The best time to visit Tamarindo is late November through mid December, when the hills are still green from the rains, the dry season sun has arrived, and villa rates sit 30 to 40 percent below the Christmas peak that kicks in around December 20.
Quick answer: Dry season runs late November through April, with almost zero rain January to March. Christmas week and Easter week are the two crowded, expensive weeks; book those 6 to 9 months out. For value, aim for late November, early December, May or June. September and October are cheapest.
When is the best time to visit Tamarindo?
Late November to mid December wins, with the second half of April close behind if you dodge Easter week. Both give you dry season weather without peak crowds or pricing. January through March is the guaranteed-sun stretch and also the busiest, since that is when the northern winter escape crowd lands; by March the hillsides have browned out and afternoons push 95 F. Two things never change: the ocean holds 80 to 84 F all year, and sunset lands between 5:30 and 6:00 pm every night. In any month, flights into Liberia land midday and the drive in takes about 70 minutes on paved road. New to the town? Start with our full Tamarindo guide.
Tamarindo weather by month
The whole year at a glance. Guanacaste is the driest region of Costa Rica, which surprises people who researched the country as a whole.
| Month | Rain | What it feels like | Crowds and prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Almost none | Hot, sunny, gusty Papagayo breezes | Peak, high |
| February | Almost none | Driest month, hot and clear | High |
| March | Near zero | Hottest stretch, browned-out hills | High, spring break groups |
| April | First showers late month | Very hot, dust settles at month end | Easter week packed, then easing |
| May | Afternoon showers begin | Everything turns green fast | Low, first real deals |
| June | Sunny mornings, wet afternoons | Lush and warm | Low to moderate |
| July | Mid-month dry spell (veranillo) | Long sunny stretches | Bumps up with summer break |
| August | Moderate | Green, warm, quieter | Moderate to low |
| September | Heavier, still sunny mornings | Emptiest beaches of the year | Lowest prices |
| October | Wettest month | Some businesses take annual break | Lowest crowds |
| November | Tapers off fast | Green hills, dry season starting | Shoulder sweet spot |
| December | Dry by the first week | Green and sunny at once | Quiet until Dec 20, then peak |
Tamarindo in December
December is two different months. December 1 to 19 is one of the best-value windows of the year: the rains ended weeks earlier, the landscape is still green, the Papagayo breezes are starting to groom the surf, and rates have not jumped yet. From December 20 through January 5 the town runs at full capacity. Villas charge 30 to 50 percent over green season rates, the good ones hold 7 night minimums, and dinner tables fill by 6:30 pm. If Christmas or New Year is the plan, lock the house 6 to 9 months ahead; villas that sleep eight or more go first. A December bonus: leatherback turtles nest at Playa Grande, across the estuary, October through March.
The cheapest month to visit Tamarindo
September is the cheapest month to visit Tamarindo. Villa and hotel rates drop 30 to 40 percent below high season, the beach empties out, and you watch sunset with a dozen people instead of a crowd. October costs about the same but rains harder, and a few restaurants and tour desks close then for their annual break. For more sun with most of the savings, May and June offer pricing near September levels, shorter showers, and a coast freshly green after the April heat.
Tamarindo rainy season months: what green season really looks like
Tamarindo’s rainy season runs mid May through mid November, and it does not mean all-day rain. The standard green season day: clear sunny morning, clouds building after lunch, one hard downpour somewhere between 2 and 5 pm, then a clearing sky in time for sunset. September and October are the two genuinely wet months; May through August lean more sun than rain, and most Julys bring a two week dry spell locals call veranillo. Costa Rica’s weather institute, the IMN, tracks regional numbers, and the tourism board’s ICT site covers seasons countrywide. Our Guanacaste rainy season guide breaks down what those months mean for road trips and day tours. For surfers the trade-off runs backwards: the biggest swells arrive May through October, covered month by month in our Tamarindo surf calendar.
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Best time to visit Tamarindo: FAQ
What is the best month to visit Tamarindo?
Late November through mid December. You get dry season sun, green hills left over from the rains, and rates 30 to 40 percent below the Christmas peak. The second half of April is a close runner-up outside Easter week.
What are the rainy season months in Tamarindo?
Mid May through mid November, with September and October the wettest. Most green season days still open sunny, with one afternoon downpour between 2 and 5 pm and a clear sky by sunset.
What is the cheapest month to visit Tamarindo?
September. Villa and hotel rates run 30 to 40 percent below high season and the beaches are at their emptiest. October matches the price but rains harder and a few businesses close for annual breaks.
Is Tamarindo worth visiting in December?
Yes, and the first three weeks are the sweet spot: dry weather, green scenery and pre-peak prices. December 20 through January 5 is the most expensive, most crowded stretch of the year, so book 6 to 9 months ahead for those dates.
Is Tamarindo too hot in March and April?
It is the hottest stretch, with afternoons near 95 F and browned-out hills. Mornings and evenings stay comfortable and the ocean holds 80 to 84 F, so beach days work fine with shade from noon to 3.
Does the time of year change the sunset in Tamarindo?
Barely. Tamarindo sits close to the equator, so sunset falls between 5:30 and 6:00 pm all year. Plan dinner reservations and sunset sails around that window.
Planning more of your trip? See our full guide to why travelers book with a local concierge in Guanacaste.
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