If you are dreaming of escaping the cold temperatures of winter and spending the festive season surrounded by palm trees, a Costa Rica Christmas vacation can be a wonderful choice. What travelers should know is that Christmas in Costa Rica can be a little different from a tropical escape at other times of the year. December brings the beginning of the dry season to much of the country, holiday traditions, family gatherings, and lots of sunshine. It also happens to be one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
If you’re considering Christmas in Costa Rica, here’s what you should know before you start planning with us.
What is Costa Rica like at Christmas?
In towns across the country, you’ll find Christmas lights, parades, and other celebrations during the month of December. Costa Rica’s capital city, San José, has some of the best-known Christmas festivities, while smaller communities have their own local traditions. For visitors, this means that Costa Rica Christmas travel can include beaches and sunshine, but there is also the opportunity to experience a very different side of the country. For many Costa Ricans, December is a time for getting together, preparing traditional food, and spending time with family and friends. One of the most important Christmas traditions is the making of tamales, when several generations come together to prepare large quantities of tamales to enjoy throughout the holiday season. The Serendipity Adventures team also celebrates this very important tradition each year (see below!).
What is the weather like in Costa Rica in December?
One of the most frequent questions we get asked about Costa Rica December weather is whether it will be sunny. And there is no definitive answer.
December falls within Costa Rica’s dry season, which generally runs from the end of November to the beginning of May. But Costa Rica doesn’t have one single climate. Mountain ranges, altitude, and the country’s two coastlines create multiple microclimates that vary from one hillside to the next.
We also noticed in recent years that the climate is changing, so weather patterns that are expected at certain times of the year don’t always follow their own rules. So, as frustrating as it is to hear ‘it depends’ in answer to your questions about the weather, our advice always remains the same: embrace the experience, rain or shine, and come prepared. It is rare that an activity is cancelled because of the rain, but if it is, then know that it is for your safety, and this is the most important aspect of your trip.
We encourage our travelers to head out early, as they’ll beat the heat of the day and have the best chance of seeing wildlife. Rain typically comes later on, if at all, which is when you can be back at your hotel, resting in your hammock or soaking in the thermal springs.
Is Costa Rica crowded at Christmas?
This is likely one of the most important practical things to know about Costa Rica at Christmas. The first part of December and the festive holiday period are two very different experiences.
From about mid-December, international visitors arrive for the winter holidays and Costa Rican families also begin traveling during their school vacation. The result is a major increase in demand around Christmas and New Year, also known as ‘Peak Season’ in the travel industry. Popular destinations can be particularly busy, and hotels can be sold out well ahead of the holidays or the less desirable rooms are the only ones remaining.
We understand that the dream of spending Christmas in Costa Rica is on many travelers’ wish lists, so our top recommendation to make this dream a reality is to be flexible. Travel agents have been known to perform small miracles when finding space at your selected hotels, but sometimes it is simply not possible. One of the benefits of working with a travel agent is their knowledge of similar options and their ability to offer a stay that is just as beautiful but away from the crowds. Not only will this mean that your stay will be more pleasant, but it also means your activities will not be shared with hundreds of other tourists all looking to photograph the same sloth.
How far in advance should you book a Costa Rica Christmas trip?
If you’re hoping to spend Christmas in a particular hotel, have your heart set on a specific room type, or want to include a popular activity on a particular date, please don’t leave the planning until the last minute. For our tailor-made trips, earlier planning (i.e. six to 12+ months out) gives you more flexibility and the ability to include places and experiences that are most important to you.
If you’ve left it late, you’re not alone and don’t panic. We’ve been doing this a long time, and every year we receive a wave of last-minute Christmas vacation seekers. Our travel specialists will always create an amazing trip for you, with the understanding that you may need to be flexible on your route and hotels, visiting locations that are just as stunning but were not initially on your radar.
If hotel space is found, then it is likely that your travel agent will share that the rooms are available for the exact dates specified and recommend booking sooner rather than later. This is not a ploy to make a sale; your travel agent knows there will be competition for these rooms and that they can disappear overnight so has your best interests at heart.
Is Costa Rica expensive at Christmas?
Christmas and New Year fall within Costa Rica’s high-demand travel period, so hotel rates are higher than at other times of year. Something else to keep in mind is that many properties have minimum stays during the holidays, while others may have special Christmas or New Year’s meals or events that are included in the price.
If you’re budget-conscious, traveling outside of the Christmas season will help you. This also applies to Easter Week, known as Semana Santa in Costa Rica, as this is also another travel peak in the calendar year for both international travelers and locals.
Will everything be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Christmas Eve, December 24, is particularly important for many Costa Ricans. Families and friends gather for a meal and celebrations sometimes throughout the night. Christmas Day is a national holiday, but that doesn’t mean the entire country shuts down. Tourist destinations continue to welcome visitors and activities run as normal. If you are planning on visiting a museum or going out to eat, it’s worth checking hours and making a reservation.
Is January a better time to visit Costa Rica instead?
If your dates are flexible, it’s worth considering Costa Rica in January as well as Christmas itself. January is still within the dry season, meaning it remains a popular time to visit. The first weeks of January can still be very busy because of the holiday period, but demand changes as the Christmas and New Year rush calms down.
If you are open to traveling any time of year, considering a vacation during the early part of Costa Rica’s green season, for example in May-August is an excellent way to get more for your money, with fewer crowds.
In conclusion, is Christmas a good time to visit Costa Rica?
Absolutely, spending Christmas in Costa Rica will be a memorable vacation. It’s a particularly appealing option for families who a looking for a special way to spend the festive season together. This is part of why it is one of the most in-demand times to travel. The most popular hotels and experiences can book up early, prices are generally higher and some destinations will be considerably busier than they are at other times of year.
The secret is to work with a local travel specialist who can help you plan around the crowds and choose your destinations carefully. This is where Serendipity Adventures steps in to relieve the stress of planning a family Christmas abroad.
