Sunny season is almost here, and with it… High season, travelers, vacations are on! Fantastic sunsets, blooming trees, wildlife’s out! What do you need to know to enjoy fully while driving in Costa Rica in the high season?
Weather
Central Mountains
Dry season means that you can expect about twelve hours of sunlight per day and temperatures in the mild 70°s and 80°s in the Central Valley, and to the sweltering 90°s on the Pacific. Rain is rare in the Central Valley and the Pacific Coast, although the Caribbean is wetter while the rest of the country is dry.
But the great thing about dry season weather is that it is the absolute antithesis of the weather you’ve left behind! (At least if your are from the North!
Road conditions
Driving is easier in many parts of the country during the high season. There are some areas in Costa Rica that can be difficult to access during green season when rivers fill and sometimes flow across the roads (Drake Bay by land… for instance).
While the rains are only for a couple of hours in the afternoon in green season, the visitor has more versatility in trip planning and driving times when there are no downpours to avoid.
However, always be careful, everynow and then, especially from December to February there might be what we call “The Norths” which are basically cold fronts coming from the North that bring strong winds and rains up in the mountains.
If this happens. Just be careful when driving. Find out with 2Costa Rica Operations Team, about road conditions if something like this happens.
Ask your Travel Consultant!
It is important to ask your travel consultant to plan your vacation avoiding the busiest days when Costa Ricans have vacations too for the holidays.
The Wednesday and Thursday before Easter Weekend, and Easter Sunday are big traffic days across the country as Ticos enjoy a beach break for the holidays, so plan for those days to be relaxing poolside rather than sitting in tailbacks. In general, traffic outside of the capital is unlikely to be an issue for the rest of the year.
Route 27 (Autopista del Sol) is the main road between the Central Valley and the closest Pacific beaches.
Lanes beachbound will be reserved when large traffic numbers are expected at the end of holidays or long weekends to cut down on traffic delays. This is only an issue if you’re planning to head in the opposite direction!
Book early!
Expect to pay more for accommodation, tours and car rental during high season, especially at Christmas, New Year and Easter. Book early to avoid disappointment as popular hotels will be fully booked months in advance.
Car rental agencies will be fully booked for peak times, especially the categories in most demand. So, reserve well ahead of time and confirm the reservation a few weeks before departure. While pricing is higher than in low season, you can cut costs by hiring a less powerful vehicle than you’d need in green season.
