The current weather for Puerto Viejo and Cahuita is:
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Today: |
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min: 21.4° C max: 27.3° C |
94% chance of rain 5.97 mm precip forecast |
Tomorrow: |
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min: 21.8° C max: 22.8° C |
90% chance of rain 11.7 mm precip forecast |
Monday: |
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min: 21.3° C max: 24.8° C |
81% chance of rain 13.16 mm precip forecast |
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Last updated on December 21, 5:15 AM CST |
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Note that weather here changes frequently — don't worry if it's raining, the sun will be shining soon.
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What is the weather generally like?
Contrary to common opinion that it rains all the time on the Caribbean, the South Caribbean Coast is actually one of the driest places in Costa Rica when you look at total rainfall over the year - check this page to see a comparison of the different areas of Costa Rica.
The difference is that on this side, it is more spread out over the year. Also note that most rain comes at night and days clear by early-late morning. The weather charts below will give you a general idea of the patterns but it's still a crap shoot. And most time, when it rains, it may be short, but a dump an amount of water you might have never seen before. It can be very magical.
As you can see the average temperature varies hardly at all different times of year. Rainfall does vary a little. The chart makes it look like it's raining all the time but while there is some rainfall most days as you can see it often comes either in the middle of the night or a quick shower in the afternoon and then it's sunny again. The most consistently dry months are September and October which just happen to be the wettest on the Pacific with pretty much constant rain there. So if you're planning a Costa Rica trip in the fall keep that in mind!
Charts are courtesy of WorldWeatherOnline.com. Check that site for more information and to compare to other destinations in Costa Rica. One resident of Playa Negra has been dilligently collecting monthly rainfall on her own charts and her numbers correspond quite closely to those ones.
Surfing Info and Conditions
The Puerto Viejo area has some great surfing beaches, from beginner to advanced. Costa Rican surf champion Gilbert Brown hails from here! We get a lot of questions about surf conditions for the area.
Puerto Viejo area surf spots:
• Playa Negra is where beginners go to surf and where local instructors can be often be found giving lessons.
• Playa Cocles is a great surfing beach for intermediate to advanced surfers. National championship events are often held on this beach.
• Salsa Brava is the place for more advanced surfers.
• Playa Grande in Manzanillo is also popular for novice surfers and a good spot for lessons. Especially the section between Manzanillo and Punta Uva.
The best waves are found from November to March.
CRSurf.com has surf reports for all over the country, check this page for their report on the Caribbean beaches.
SurfReports.com has a page with current conditions at Salsa Brava.
Surfline has information on the latest surf conditions at Salsa Brava.
Khloe
Is sargassum normally an issue in April? We were there last year in October and there was none but we want to come back in April.
July 22, 2024
Drew
Since last night playa negra is knee deep in sargassum ... anyone know of a beach between here and Manzanillo where we can swim today? Thanks!
March 06, 2022
Aruna Fjastad
Hi Doug,
Thanks for all the research that went into mak8bg this site SO informative!
I'm seriously considering moving from Kenya to the CR Caribbean side but my main concern is how much of a permanent expat community is there? Im here right now & feels very transient in terms of finding friends here.
Any comments would be extremely useful.
Thanks
Aruna
February 06, 2019
Doug Dosdall
In my experience there's a huge expat community, many of whom have been here for many many years. If you get involved in some of the local efforts you will no doubt find connections. CATCAS is the local business org.
February 06, 2019
Sue
Your website is extremely helpful. Thank you! I have been looking online for any webcams for the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Do you know of any?
November 10, 2018
Puerto Viejo Satellite
I don't know of any, no. I was actually looking myself a few weeks ago since I thought that would be a useful thing to add to this page. But no luck.
November 11, 2018
MB
Planning a trip to CR either over Christmas/New Year or Easter and definitely want to visit the area. Have read all the various opinions on weather and accept the point above that its unpredictable and shouldn't impact the day. Question I have therefore is which of the two times of year is best? Late Dec or early Apr? Or does it make no difference?
October 16, 2018
Puerto Viejo Satellite
Well if you look at the weather charts you'll find that April generally has less rain than December...but these things really are hard to predict. The other thing to note is high season starts at Christmas and the week over Christmas/New Year's is generally considered peak season with extra high pricing for some places and you may have already missed the chance to book some of the best hotels/vacation rentals for the Christmas/New Year's week. April is generally quieter with one big exception: the week from ending on Easter Sunday Apr 21 is "Semana Santa" in Latin America and is a huge holiday. Town will be packed with Costa Rican tourists as well as international ones.
October 17, 2018
Priscilla Fernández Abarca
Hello, I'm planning on going to Puerto Viejo on the last week of March, was wondering how was the weather on this period of the year. If it's supposed to be raining a lot or dry?
February 26, 2018
Conte Lorusso
We stayed in Cahuita over New Year period and had nearly constant rain - the sun was out part of 1 morning for 5 days. When we left, the sea was wild and the color of mud. Rain was predicted for the next week, so we cancelled our plans to go to Manzanillo.
January 11, 2018
Mishka
Hi! We are planning to visit Puerto Viejo in late December ( 20th) and enjoy it's beauty. I am reading tons of discouraging posts about heavy rain,lots of mud. What is your call and experience on rain in December in Puerto Viejo- Cahuita area? Many thanks, abrazo, Mishka
November 22, 2017
Doug
I can't say this enough about the Caribbean: weather is unpredictable! There's very little defined season here for when it's raining unlike the Pacific. But I also can't say this enough: it rarely rains enough to ruin your day. Rain, when it comes, comes in short spurts and often overnight. You go on with your day and appreciate the break from the heat! As for mud, that's not a problem in coastal areas; that's a problem in the mountains so I'm not sure where you're hearing that but it's not accurate about Puerto Viejo or the other beach communities. In 25 years of going to Puerto Viejo many many times I've had 1 trip which had exception storms and the weather ruined it but that was a truly exceptional situation! Every other time was glorious and/or I found it too hot.
November 23, 2017
Ma
Hi, My fiancee and I plan to stay for the first week of March near Manzanillo (Caribbean coast). We are based in London and love Costa rica's incredible biodiversity but mostly really miss the sun. Do you think it is a good choice or if the sun is our n.1 priority we should go somewhere else? I saw the charts you attached in your answer but I don t realise what it represent on a daily basis.. Thanks in advance for your answer Marina
December 27, 2016
Puerto Viejo Satellite
The Pacific has clearly defined rainy and dry seasons, the Caribbean not so much. Generally it rains for a bit then the sun comes out and it is glorious! Often the rain is at night at well. March is one of the drier months on the Caribbean Coast so it's an excellent choice! On the other hand, the dry season on the Pacific Coast MAY be ending by March; usually it's January to March and pretty reliably sunny but when it ends it is definitely rainier than the Caribbean.
December 27, 2016
Clair
Hi I am traveling through Costa Rica December to January. Starting off our trip down the north Pacific Coast Tamarindo through to Jaco and then over to the carribean coast first week of January ...probably stay in Puerto Viejo or Cahuita for a short week in January .... I have just read that this is the rain season in Puerto Viejo and that its constant rain? is that correct as I am concerned that we will be washed out by rain? Also visiting Bocas del Toro in Panama while in VP.... Should i be concerned about the rain ? thanks
October 19, 2015
Puerto Viejo Satellite
The Pacific has clearly defined rainy and dry seasons, the Caribbean not so much. Generally it rains for a bit then it stops and your go on with your day. As you can see from the rainfall charts above January is NOT one of the rainiest months historically so whoever told you that is misinformed. January however is generally one of the driest months on the Pacific so perhaps by comparison.
October 19, 2015
Gio from USA/DC
hot and oppressive?
Dear All, I am planning to come to PV w/ my family (two kids 9, and 14, and hubby) from mid June to mid July. I've heard so many things about the weather from comfortable to hot and oppressive in the upper 90's. We are supposed to stay in a hostel only w/ fans. Plus, I don't want to be miserable in general. I don't do well w/ humidity. Is Boca del Toro (Panama) better? Should we only stay in Turrialba since w/ the elevation it should be better? THANK YOU!!!!!
January 31, 2015
cindy l wallace from los angeles
Seeking a bit of travel advice
Hello, Im travelling to Costa Rica for the very first time in a couple of weeks. I really would like to stay a bit in Puerto Viejo. I was wondering what the weather would be like during this time. I know there is rain but how much rain is to be expected at the end of May. Thanks!!!!
May 11, 2014
Doug
Hi Cindy -- moved your comment to the weather page. As you can see above, May is historically one of the wetter months but the Caribbean weather doesn't tend to be nearly as predictable as the Pacific side which in this case is a good thing since it is generally unrelentingly wet on the Pacific at this time of year. The Caribbean is hard to predict on any given day but the good news is that it is a rare day where it rains all day, usually there's some rain in the afternoon or overnight and the day is still great to enjoy.
May 11, 2014
cindy l wallace
Thanks Doug!
Thank you Doug for your help. Ive been to Jamaica so the weather sounds typical for the Carib. I think I will probably skip the pacific side and just divide my time in PV and Arenal. I really look forward to checking the area out and meeting all the wonderful people. If you have tips on your favorite hotels on the beach pleas of please share.
May 12, 2014
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