Rio Celeste, a stunning waterfall located in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica, experiences a dual seasonal change like every other part of the country. And this seasonal change influences the times that tourists should visit the waterfall and behold its beauty.
My then-boyfriend (now husband) and I were oblivious to this when we first visited the waterfall ten years ago in October, the peak of the rainy season.
We did not do proper research before traveling, so we saw disappointing muddy water instead of the breathtaking turquoise-blue water we had expected to see.
That’s why I’ve put down essential information in this guide that will help you know the start and end of the dry and rainy seasons and the best times to visit and still see the turquoise-blue waters even in the rainy season.
Key Takeaway
Before I spill all the information you need, here are some key takeaways from this article if you don’t have time to read it. However, I’d advise you to get more information.
- The dry season starts from December through April.
- The rainy season starts from May through November.
- December and January are the peak tourist months of the year, as is the dry season.
- Accommodation and food are more expensive in December and January.
- September and October are the peak of the rainy season.
- July is the best month to visit in the rainy season.
- Accommodation and food are very cheap in the rainy season.
- September through November are the lowest tourist months of the year.
- December through July are the best times to visit for both seasons.
Seasonal Breakdown
Rio Celeste has two main seasons: the dry and rainy seasons. However, there are microclimate changes in the Rio Celeste environs.
Below is a detailed explanation of each of these seasons.
1. Dry Season
This is the peak of the tourists’ visit and activities to the Rio Celeste waterfall. It begins in December and ends in April.
This season’s weather is warm, mainly with a few showers. The turquoise color of the water is most vibrant and visible, and the trail leading to the waterfall is clean and dry, making it easier to hike in the jungle.
However, there are some downsides to visiting in December and January, the peak tourist months of the dry season.
Accommodation and food at local restaurants become way more expensive, and the crowd is too much.
So, if you are on a budget and someone who does not like a crowded place like me, I’d advise you to opt out of visiting in December or January and travel within the rest of the dry season.
And, one more thing, sunshine is abundant, so ensure to come with sunglasses and sunscreen to avoid sunburn, a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated at all times, a camera to take beautiful photos with, and a waterproof jacket in case of unexpected showers.
2. Rainy Season
The rainy season commences from May through November, with September and October being peak periods.
There is a decrease in tourist visits during the rainy season because the rainfall affects the color of the water, and the trails leading to it become muddy.
If you visit in October like me and my husband did, you will notice disappointing muddy water instead of the striking turquoise blue color.
This is because when the rain becomes heavy, the trails become very muddy and run off into the river, making their color muddy and the trails very slippery and challenging to hike.
However, if you choose to visit during the rainy season, I’d advise you to visit between May through July before the heavy downpour and November after the heavy downpour.
Despite the significant downsides of visiting during the rainy season, the good thing is that accommodation and food are cheaper at these times as there are fewer visitors.
The rainforest is very lush, with more visible wildlife.
Monthly Weather Details
January
It is one of the months in the dry season. The weather is warm and sunny in the daytime and chilly in the evenings, with light showers in between.
It is the peak period for tourist visits in the country, making it one of the best times to visit Rio Celeste, where you can see the majestic waterfalls and stunning blue waters.
The temperature range is 22°C (72°F), and precipitation is low, at about 1.57 inches of rainfall.
The activities to enjoy in January are hiking and river tubing.
So, if you plan to visit in January, come with light clothes like T-shirts and shorts, sunglasses, sunscreen, a water bottle; you need to stay hydrated, insect repellent for the bugs, hiking boots, and a waterproof jacket or umbrella for the unexpected showers.
February
February is the driest month of the year, with fewer showers and more sunshine. The weather is warm and sunny in the daytime and cooler in the evenings.
It is the best month to visit in the dry season, considering that the crowd that came in during the holidays in December and January has reduced a bit.
The temperature range is 25°C (77°F), with a precipitation of 1.18 inches. Making the turquoise-blue color of the Rio Celeste rivers more visible.
The activities to enjoy are picnicking, surfing, and watching the Rio Celeste waterfalls. Come with a camera, sunscreen, a water jacket, and hiking boots if you plan to visit.
March
It is the hottest month, with an average temperature range of 28 °C (82 °F) and precipitation of 1.18 inches.
The weather is mostly hot and sunny, making it a perfect time to view the flora and fauna of the jungle as most birds and wildlife that migrated out of the area start migrating back.
When my friends and I visited in March, we saw some toucans, kingbirds, reptiles, and other wildlife we could not identify.
The activities to enjoy are bird watching, hiking, and watching the Rio Celeste waterfalls. Come with a camera, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, insect repellents, and hiking boots when visiting.
April
This transitional month ends the dry season and ushers in the rainy season. The weather is a mixture of warm, sunny, and rainy days.
The temperature range is 26 °C (79 °F), with precipitation of 3.5 inches. So, if you plan on visiting, come with a waterproof jacket, rain jacket, warm clothing, and hiking boots.
It is a great time to hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park as the rainforest becomes greener.
May
This is the beginning of the rainy season. The weather is rainy and warm, with a temperature range of 24°C (70°F) and precipitation of 7.9 inches.
The sky often becomes cloudy in the afternoon, and the trails in the park get muddy.
It is that period when few tourists are visiting. However, if you plan on visiting in May, you will enjoy the morning rainforest hikes and still see the blue rivers.
Ensure to visit with rain jackets, hiking boots, clothes you do not mind getting dirty, and insect repellents.
June
The month for constant rainfall. The weather is warm during the day and cooler at night. The temperature range is 23°C (73°F), and it has 9.4 inches of rainfall.
It is the best month for rafting, nature walks, hiking, and viewing wildlife like sloths.
If you plan to visit, come with a raincoat, hiking boots, and warm clothing.
July
July ushers in the mini-dry season called “Veranillo season” by the locals. The weather is quite warm, with irregular showers.
The temperature range is 27 °C (80 °F), with a precipitation of 6.3 inches. This is the best month to visit the Rio Celeste during the rainy season and watch various wildlife in the park.
August
There is partly a mini-dry season in August before the rainfall returns fully. The weather is warm with moderate rainfall.
The temperature range is 25°C (77°F), with 6.7 inches of rainfall.
If you enjoy hiking and swimming, you can visit. Come along with hiking boots, insect repellent, and waterproof jackets.
September
September is the beginning of heavy rainfall with a lot of clouds. The trail becomes very muddy and steep.
The temperature drops to 24 °C (75 °F), and precipitation spikes to 11.8 inches.
There are few outdoor activities during this period as the trails become challenging.
However, if you still want to visit, come with heavy hiking boots, extra socks, extra clothes, insect repellent, and a waterproof jacket.
October
October is the month with heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and lightning. The trails become very muddy, making hiking extremely difficult.
The temperature range is 25°C (77°F), with 12.2 inches of rainfall.
This is also not the best time to visit the waterfall because you will be disappointed to see muddy rivers instead of the stunning blue waters.
I experienced this last October when I visited. The entire trail was covered with mud, making me unable to walk around the jungle to see the other attractions.
However, despite the disappointment, the rainforest looked lush and beautiful. So if you want to visit during October, fine, but go with extra clothes, rain gear, waterproof shoes, and insect repellent.
November
The heavy rains begin to decrease in November, ushering in the dry season. The weather is mostly warm, with a temperature of 25 °C (77 °F) and rainfall of 7.9 inches.
Gradually, the turquoise-blue watercolor begins to return, and the hiking conditions improve.
This is my best time to visit the waterfall because the accommodation rate is cheaper and there are fewer crowds compared to the peak tourist period in December.
You can still enjoy the lush rainforest and watch some birds and wildlife before they migrate in the dry season.
December
December is the start of the dry season. The weather is mostly warm and sunny, with less rain.
The temperature is 29°C (84°F) with 3.4 inches of rainfall, and tourist activities are at their peak.
Accommodation and food become more expensive with lots of crowds. And the blue color of the rivers returns, fully encouraging hiking in the park.
So if you are visiting, ensure to come with sunscreen, light clothes, a camera, a water bottle, and a poncho for unexpected showers.
Best Times to Visit
The best time to visit the Rio Celeste waterfall and enjoy the most beautiful experience is from December to April.
This is when sunshine is abundant and the turquoise color of the water is evident and vibrant. You can also hike easily to other parts of Tenorio Volcano National Park.
Travel Tips
Dry season
- When visiting in the dry season, please arrive at the Tenorio Volcano National Park early to enjoy the beauty and tranquility before it becomes crowded.
- Come with enough water in a reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated.
- Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and good hiking shoes to protect you from the sun and rocky trails.
- And finally, a camera to take photos of the beautiful waterfall and the birds and other wildlife in it.
Rainy season
When visiting in the rainy season, be prepared for muddy trails and frequent rain, so come with waterproof rain jackets and boots, extra socks, and insect repellent.
Also, be ready to view the lush tropical rainforest, which is full of plants and wildlife.
Above all, plan your trip to know when the best weather is convenient for you, hike with awareness of your physical strength and fitness, and do not forget to try the local cuisine.
If you are looking to embark on a trip to Rio Celeste, start with our guide on the 4 Best Ways to Get to Rio Celeste to ensure a smooth journey.
Conclusion
Rio Celeste is a beautiful place to visit that leaves you with a magical and memorable experience for the rest of your life.
From the magnificent waterfalls and breathtaking turquoise-colored rivers to the evergreen rainforest, retreating into nature makes you feel like a small heavenly paradise.
However, to enjoy all this goodness, you must acquaint yourself with the Rio Celeste weather conditions to travel at the best and most convenient times.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
