When to Go

Sept. 14 is Costa Rica’s independence day, celebrated with music, folkloric dance, games, food stalls and a parade.

The last week in February is the Festival of the Bay – the celebration of the day Sir Francis Drake first dropped anchor here, which involves music, food, games and dancing.

The rainy season is from April to October with the most severe moths being May and October. You’ll find many of the big resorts closed during October. Some are still open during September, but it rains every day, sometimes all day and all night, which interferes with most activities. September is generally also the month of the “agua mala,” or bad water, meaning that the ocean is full of little jellyfish that sting swimmers and can leave itchy welts.