Manuel Antonio Weather, Month by Month
Manuel Antonio weather is warm all year, with daytime highs of about 30–32 °C (86–90 °F) and nights around 22–23 °C (72–74 °F). The dry season runs from about December to April, and February is the driest month, with roughly 26 mm (1 in) of rain on about four days. The green season runs from May to November, when the rainforest is at its most lush, and September and October are the wettest months, with more than 530 mm (21 in) of rain each.
Manuel Antonio weather at a glance
Temperature barely changes through the year on this stretch of the Central Pacific. What changes is the rain, and with it the colour of the forest, the rhythm of the day and the number of people on the trails. Here is the short version:
- Warm year-round: average highs move only between about 29.8 °C (86 °F) in November and 32.4 °C (90 °F) in March. Average lows stay near 22–23.5 °C (72–74 °F).
- Dry season, about December to April: Costa Rica’s national weather institute (IMN) describes January to March as the true dry season, with only about 4% of the year’s rain. December and April are transition months.
- Green season, May to November: the rains set in at the start of May and the forest turns a deep, glossy green.
- Driest month: February, with about 26 mm (1 in) of rain on about 4 days. March and January come next.
- Wettest months: September (about 544 mm / 21.4 in) and October (about 534 mm / 21 in).
- Whole year: about 3,570 mm (140 in) of rain, which is what keeps this coast so green. For comparison, Liberia in the dry northwest gets about 1,600 mm; see Manuel Antonio vs Tamarindo.
Average temperature and rainfall in Manuel Antonio by month
These are long-term averages from Costa Rica’s national weather institute, the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), for the Quepos station, the closest official weather series to Manuel Antonio. They cover 1984–2003 and are published by the World Meteorological Organization. Any single year can run a little wetter or drier, so read them as a reliable guide to the pattern rather than a forecast.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Days with rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.3 °C (88 °F) | 22.0 °C (72 °F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 7.2 |
| February | 32.0 °C (90 °F) | 22.0 °C (72 °F) | 26 mm (1.0 in) | 4.2 |
| March | 32.4 °C (90 °F) | 22.6 °C (73 °F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 5.4 |
| April | 32.2 °C (90 °F) | 23.5 °C (74 °F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 12.4 |
| May | 31.4 °C (89 °F) | 23.3 °C (74 °F) | 389 mm (15.3 in) | 22.9 |
| June | 30.8 °C (87 °F) | 23.1 °C (74 °F) | 413 mm (16.3 in) | 23.6 |
| July | 30.5 °C (87 °F) | 22.8 °C (73 °F) | 445 mm (17.5 in) | 25.7 |
| August | 30.4 °C (87 °F) | 22.7 °C (73 °F) | 469 mm (18.5 in) | 26.4 |
| September | 30.3 °C (87 °F) | 22.6 °C (73 °F) | 544 mm (21.4 in) | 26.5 |
| October | 30.0 °C (86 °F) | 22.6 °C (73 °F) | 534 mm (21.0 in) | 26.7 |
| November | 29.8 °C (86 °F) | 22.6 °C (73 °F) | 349 mm (13.7 in) | 23.2 |
| December | 30.6 °C (87 °F) | 22.3 °C (72 °F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 15.2 |
| Year | 3,571 mm (140.6 in) | about 219 |
“Days with rain” is the average number of days per month on which rain was recorded. A day with rain can mean a short shower as easily as a long downpour, so it tells you how often it rains, and the rainfall column tells you how much.
Dry season and green season in Manuel Antonio
Dry season: December to April
From January to March the skies are at their clearest, with only 26–46 mm (1–1.8 in) of rain a month and highs around 31–32 °C (88–90 °F). This is beach weather in its purest form: long golden afternoons, calm evenings and sunsets over the Pacific. December and April frame the season. December still averages about 160 mm (6.3 in) as the rains fade, and April about 157 mm (6.2 in) as they return, so both often bring a mix of sunny days and the odd shower.
The dry months are also high season, and Manuel Antonio National Park is at its busiest. Tickets are sold online only, through SINAC, so book ahead with our park tickets and hours guide and plan to arrive at the 7 am opening.
Green season: May to November
The rains set in at the start of May, and the whole landscape answers: waterfalls fill, leaves gleam and the air smells of wet earth and flowers. IMN describes two rainy stretches on the Central Pacific. May to August brings about half of the year’s rain, and the later months bring most of the rest, peaking in September and October with more than 530 mm (21 in) and rain on about 26–27 days each. November starts to ease, at about 349 mm (13.7 in).
Temperatures stay just as warm, around 30–31 °C (86–89 °F) by day, and the green season is when the park is quietest. SINAC notes that September and October have the lowest visitor numbers of the year.
What a rainy-season day can look like
A high number of rain days does not mean rain all day. In the green season, mornings are often bright and fresh, and the rain often arrives later in the day, sometimes as a heavy tropical shower that rolls through and clears, sometimes as a steady evening rain on the leaves. In the wettest weeks of September and October, some days stay grey and showery from start to finish.
A simple rhythm works beautifully:
- Early morning: the park opens at 7 am (Wednesday to Monday, closed Tuesdays). It is coolest then and wildlife is most active, and SINAC itself suggests going early and dressing for rain in September and October.
- Late morning: beach time or a tour while the light is good.
- Afternoon: keep it flexible: a spa treatment, a long lunch, a nap with the sound of rain, the pool when the sun comes back.
- Evening: dinner and live music, with the forest humming all around.
Our Manuel Antonio itineraries follow the same morning-first pattern.
How warm is the ocean in Manuel Antonio?
The Pacific here is warm all year, around 28–30 °C (82–86 °F). Marine model data puts the warmest water at about March to May and the slightly cooler water at about November, but the difference is small enough that every month is a swimming month.
Sea conditions depend more on the beach than the season. Inside the national park, Playa Manuel Antonio is a protected cove that suits swimming, while SINAC notes that Playa Espadilla Sur can have strong surf in certain seasons. Just outside the park, Playa Biesanz is a sheltered cove that is usually calm. Our Manuel Antonio beaches guide covers each one.
The best months for beach, wildlife and fewer people
- For beach days and sunshine: January to March, with February the driest month of all. December and April are close behind.
- For wildlife: any month. Monkeys, sloths, toucans and scarlet macaws live here all year. Go out early in the morning, when animals are most active, and bring patience rather than a perfect forecast.
- For fewer people: the green season, and above all September and October, the park’s quietest months according to SINAC.
- For the greenest landscapes: May to November, when the forest, the gardens and the waterfalls are at their fullest.
For a fuller planner with what each season feels like on the ground, read the best time to visit Manuel Antonio.
What to pack for each season
Dry season (December to April):
- Light, breathable clothing, a sun hat and sunglasses
- Plenty of sunscreen and swimwear for every day
- A reusable water bottle: single-use plastics are not allowed in the national park, and there are refill fountains inside
Green season (May to November):
- A light rain jacket or poncho
- Quick-dry clothes and sandals or shoes that can get wet
- A small dry bag or zip pouch for your phone and passport
All year: your passport or ID for the park gate, comfortable walking shoes for trails and steep beach paths, and something relaxed for dinner. Our post on what to pack for Manuel Antonio, season by season goes through it in detail.
Rainy afternoons at ECOTICA
At ECOTICA, a boutique hotel in Manuel Antonio nestled in its own 10-acre private rainforest reserve, the green season has a beauty all its own. Rain drums softly on the leaves, the air cools and the forest seems to breathe. Howler monkeys call from the canopy, and when the sun returns, capuchins, squirrel monkeys and sloths are often right there in the trees around the pool and rooms.
- Jungle Spa: open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, made for slow afternoons with rain on the roof. Book through the spa form.
- YOLO Social: our bar and restaurant, open 11 am to 11 pm, with live music every night and the big games on screen.
- The pool between showers: the rain passes, the light turns gold and the water is yours, with lunch or a cocktail from La POZA, our poolside restaurant, open 6 am to 9 pm. Breakfast there is included in your stay.
- Tours timed to the weather: our concierge books the park with a naturalist guide, boat and catamaran trips, zip lining, rafting and more, and can plan them around the best part of the day. Use the tours form or the concierge form.
- Arrive without the drive: our private airport shuttle runs between San José and Manuel Antonio for US$195 each way, for up to 5 people.
Manuel Antonio weather: common questions
What is the weather like in Manuel Antonio?
Warm all year, with highs of about 30–32 °C (86–90 °F) and lows of about 22–23 °C (72–74 °F). The dry season runs from about December to April and the green season from May to November.
What is the rainiest month in Manuel Antonio?
September, with about 544 mm (21.4 in) of rain, closely followed by October at about 534 mm (21 in). Both average rain on about 26–27 days.
What is the driest month in Manuel Antonio?
February, with about 26 mm (1 in) of rain on about 4 days. March and January are the next driest.
Does it rain all day in the green season?
Usually not. Mornings are often bright and the rain often comes later in the day, though some days in September and October stay showery throughout. Plan outdoor activities for the morning.
Is the rainy season a good time to visit Manuel Antonio?
Yes, for many travellers. The forest is at its greenest, wildlife is around all year and the national park is quieter, with September and October its least visited months according to SINAC.
How warm is the ocean in Manuel Antonio?
Around 28–30 °C (82–86 °F) all year, according to marine model data, a little warmer from about March to May.
Is Manuel Antonio National Park open when it rains?
Yes. The park opens Wednesday to Monday from 7 am, with last entry at 3 pm, and is closed on Tuesdays. In the rainiest months, go early and bring a rain jacket.
Keep exploring
Keep exploring: plan your season with the best time to visit Manuel Antonio, get ready with what to pack for Manuel Antonio, season by season, book your entry with the park tickets and hours guide, pick a beach in our Manuel Antonio beaches guide, browse the full Manuel Antonio travel guide or come home to ECOTICA Boutique Hotel & Spa.
Arrive with everything ready
Tell us your dates and we will have the best of Manuel Antonio waiting for you before you land:
- Book your tours: Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist guide, boat trips, zip lines, rafting and more
- Reserve Jungle Spa: massages, couples treatments, facials and body rituals
- Airport transportation: a private transfer from San José, US$195 each way for up to 5 people
- Concierge requests: dinners, celebrations and anything special
- Stay at ECOTICA: check dates and rates for our bungalows and suites
Where our facts come from
- World Meteorological Organization / IMN – Quepos climate normals (1984–2003)
- IMN – Climate of the Pacífico Central region (PDF)
- SINAC – Manuel Antonio National Park
- Open-Meteo – Marine weather API (sea temperature model)
Last reviewed: October 2026. Prices and opening hours can change; check the official site before you go.
