Tag: costa rica rainy season
Costa Rica for Families – Whale Watching, Sea Turtles & Fishing Adventures during Tamarindo’s Secret Season
The Guanacaste, Costa Rica rainy season isn’t what you think. Sure, there are showers – mostly in the early morning, early afternoon, or overnight – but that just means the region comes alive in ways you won’t see during the dry season.
Picture this: humpback whales breaching offshore. Sea turtles nesting by moonlight. Rivers running strong for tubing and waterfalls. And the best part? You can experience it all without the high-season crowds or prices.
Welcome to Costa Rica’s secret season: a green, vibrant time of year that turns Tamarindo into a family-friendly paradise full of nature, adventure, and value. With plenty of Costa Rica beach house rentals to choose from, it's the perfect time to plan a reunion, a family vacation, or a getaway with friends.
Why Travel in the Guanacaste, Costa Rica Rainy Season?
From late May through early November, the landscape transforms. Everything is greener, the air feels fresher, and the sunsets are some of the best you’ll ever see. Best of all, Tamarindo gets less rain than other parts of the country, so you can still spend your days at the beach, in the water, or out on the trails.
Other benefits of visiting in the rainy season:
- Lower prices on Costa Rica beach house rentals, tours, and flights
- Fewer crowds, even at popular spots
- More wildlife, as many species are more active in the wetter months
- Family-friendly adventure, like tubing, zip-lining, hiking, and fishing
For families traveling on a budget or anyone looking to stretch their vacation time a little longer, the Guanacaste, Costa Rica rainy season is a hidden gem.
Whale Watching Season: Ocean Giants Up Close
From July through October, Tamarindo becomes one of the best places in Costa Rica to spot southern humpback whales. These gentle giants migrate thousands of miles from Antarctica to give birth and raise their calves in the calm, warm Pacific waters.
You can often spot whales breaching from the beach, but for a closer look, hop on a catamaran tour or private boat with a local guide. These family-friendly excursions often include dolphin sightings, snorkeling, snacks, and fun for kids of all ages.
Top Species to Spot:
- Southern Humpback Whales (July to October)
- Bottlenose Dolphins (year-round)
- Spinner Dolphins (year-round, often travel in playful pods)
Sea Turtle Nesting: A Magical Nighttime Experience
There’s nothing quite like watching a sea turtle come ashore to nest. It’s quiet. It’s powerful. And it’s something your family will never forget. The Tamarindo area is close to several protected turtle nesting beaches, where you can take guided night tours to observe turtles in their natural habitat.
Depending on the time of year, you might even see tiny hatchlings making their dash for the sea!
Sea Turtles Near Tamarindo:
- Olive Ridley Turtles at Playa Ostional (arribadas: June–November)
- Leatherback Turtles at Playa Grande (October–February)
- Green & Hawksbill Turtles in smaller numbers year-round
Tours are designed to be eco-friendly and respectful of the turtles, with local guides explaining the conservation efforts and biology behind these amazing creatures.
Fishing Fun for Families: Inshore & Offshore Adventures
Fishing is one of the most popular activities during the Guanacaste, Costa Rica rainy season, and Tamarindo is one of the best spots to do it. With calmer seas and an abundance of marine life, it's a perfect time for inshore or offshore fishing tours.
You don’t have to be an expert – most tours welcome kids and beginners. Whether you’re hoping to catch dinner or reel in a photo-worthy trophy, it’s a fun way to spend time on the water.
Offshore Species (Best June–October):
- Yellowfin Tuna (30-200+ lbs!)
- Mahi Mahi / Dorado (great for ceviche)
- Marlin & Sailfish (usually catch-and-release)
Inshore Species:
- Roosterfish (fun fight + cool dorsal fin)
- Snapper (delicious and common)
- Snook, Wahoo & Mackerel (great for beginners)
Our team at Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo can help you connect with trusted local guides who know where the fish are biting and how to make the trip fun and safe for your whole crew.
More Rainy Season Family Favorites in Tamarindo
The Guanacaste, Costa Rica rainy season is about more than just the ocean. It’s a chance to explore rivers, forests, and volcanoes while everything is lush and blooming.
Some family-friendly adventures to consider:
- Tubing or rafting on near Rincón de la Vieja
- Zip-lining through the canopy at nearby adventure parks
- Horseback riding on the beach
- Hiking at Rincon de la Vieja Volcano (mud pots, waterfalls, wildlife)
- ATV tours through the hills and backroads
- Surfing lessons for all ages and levels
Need a rainy day activity? Check out Tamarindo’s fun dining spots, local artisan markets, or plan an in-home cooking class at your rental.
Why Costa Rica Beach House Rentals Make All the Difference
When you travel with kids, space matters. That’s why Costa Rica beach house rentals are a family favorite. You’ll enjoy:
- Full kitchens for easy meals and snacks
- Multiple bedrooms and bathrooms
- Private pools and outdoor space to play
- Close proximity to beaches, restaurants, and town
- More privacy and comfort than a hotel
Whether you're traveling with toddlers, teens, or a mix of ages, a vacation rental makes it easier to relax and enjoy your time together. Here’s where to stay:
Hacienda Pinilla | 6 Bedrooms | 6 Baths + 1 Half Bath | Sleeps 16
Tucked into the quiet Brisas community at Hacienda Pinilla, Villa Uana offers a refined take on tropical living. With clean lines, contemporary design, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow, this is a home that honors simplicity without sacrificing comfort.
What sets it apart? For starters, two private pools. Multiple outdoor living areas – some sun-soaked, others shaded and breezy. An outdoor fire pit and dining space that feels made for starlit evenings. And all of it framed by swaying palms, lush greenery, and a canopy often visited by howler monkeys in the Guanacaste trees.
Inside, thoughtful design and understated elegance define each space. Outside, two open-air showers, a hidden hot tub, and several bedrooms that open directly onto the pool or garden invite you to settle into the rhythm of pura vida. This is your private hideaway. This is Villa Uana – peaceful, exclusive, and naturally luxurious.
Crystal Sands Penthouse 504
Playa Langosta | 3 Beds | 3 Baths | Sleeps 12
When nothing but your very own, exclusive penthouse will suffice, Crystal Sands 504 exceeds expectations for Costa Rica holiday rentals, with its airy private balcony and some of Tamarindo’s most breathtaking views – directly overlooking Langosta Beach and the expansive Pacific Ocean, stretching as far as the eye can behold.
Your front yard is a vast expanse of ocean and horizon, occasionally graced by passing sailboats, breaching whales, paddling sea turtles, or playful dolphins – dotting your private panorama.
But there’s more to behold. This penthouse in paradise fulfills every dream, featuring a private hot tub on the balcony, a gourmet kitchen with a full-sized gas grill, breezy and open interiors, and, once again, that mesmerizing view. Whether you’re in the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, or the bedrooms – perhaps even from your shower, if luck is on your side – you’ll be immersed in the splendor of this unparalleled vista.
4 Beds | 4 Baths | Sleeps 8
Impeccably designed to leave a lasting impression, Casa Howler stands as a luxurious vacation haven nestled within Tamarindo Park—a captivating new community gracing the hills around downtown Tamarindo.
In this idyllic setting where nature’s marvels unfold just beyond your doorstep, and every facet radiates the essence of modern tropical living, Casa Howler positions itself just a short 10-minute stroll from all the places you long to explore, from Playa Tamarindo itself to the town’s diverse array of restaurants, nightlife, tours, attractions, and more.
Step inside Casa Howler, where the allure of floor-to-ceiling glass beckons you to embrace forest views from every corner, seamlessly blending the indoors with Costa Rica’s exotic flora. Alternatively, bask in sun-drenched afternoons by your private pool, craft culinary delights in your chef’s kitchen, or unwind in the generously appointed king-sized bedrooms. Casa Howler delivers everything you desire and more for an opulent family retreat in the heart of Costa Rica.
Planning Your Secret Season Trip
The Guanacaste, Costa Rica rainy season isn’t just a time to save money. It’s a season of color, wildlife, and natural wonder. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, multi-generational reunion, or an escape with friends, there’s something truly special waiting for you in Tamarindo.
· When to Come: July through October offers the best of the Guanacaste, Costa Rica rainy season: whales, turtles, and great fishing. August and September are especially ideal.
· Where to Stay: Browse our collection of Costa Rica beach house rentals, from budget-friendly to beachfront with a pool. Many are walkable to town and beach.
· What to Pack: Quick-dry clothes, sturdy sandals, a light rain jacket, sunscreen, and your sense of adventure!
· What to Ask Us: At Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo, we offer full concierge service. From booking tours to arranging airport transport, we’re here to make your trip easy and unforgettable.
Pack your bags, grab the kids, and get ready to explore!
Ready to Plan Your Secret Season Adventure?
If this summer has you dreaming of palm trees, wildlife adventures, and sandy footprints, now’s the time to book your escape. From beachfront villas with open-air living spaces to concierge-planned seasonal adventures, your trip can be as luxurious as it is meaningful.
That just happens to be our concierge, Cris’s, specialty! She’s an expert in travel, relaxation, and tours in Tamarindo, Costa Rica: Digging beneath the surface and reaching beyond the norm, Cris not only makes it her job to know Tamarindo (and its restaurants), but to get to know you, too! She’s like a real-life guidebook who expertly overlays Tamarindo’s most iconic experiences and must-do adventures with your needs, preferences, and plans. What’s more, she’ll work with your budget.
It begins with our welcome packet, which you’ll receive after you make a booking. It’ll introduce you to many of our favorite things, so have a look. Start building your wish list. And then, talk to Cris and let the fun begin. It’s part magic, part expertise. Go ahead, pick Cris’s brain! She can’t wait to hear from you!
What to Expect During The 2019 Costa Rica Rainy Season
It’s the end of May and the rainy season is upon us in Tamarindo. Here’s a heads-up on what to expect during your Tamarindo Green Season vacation.
Predictions:
2019 has been a year of the “El Nino” weather pattern here in the equatorial regions. This means that our dry season began early and was extra hot and dry. According to the El Nino pattern, we were told to expect a not-very-rainy rainy season, and this made everyone who loves Costa Rica’s flora and fauna very sad. These cyclical fluctuations are part of normal weather fluctuations, but extra harsh dry seasons are difficult times for plants and animals. They aren’t great for our taxed aquifers either, but humans are able to truck in water in a way that deer and monkeys aren’t.
Luckily for all of us, those predictions are turning out to be misrepresentative of the way the rainy season is starting out! We’re getting lots of delicious rain, and Guanacaste is green as the garden of Eden. The temperature has dropped back into the “pleasant” range, and life is good.
Expect:
Afternoon showers
It almost never rains all day, especially not in the first half of the rainy season. It’s not impossible, but it’s uncommon. The rainy season mostly consists of sunny days with occasional afternoon showers. They may be thunderstorms that roll through to cool off hot afternoons, or they may be simply cloud systems that bring rain and then dissolver over the ocean. Enjoy them! Tamarindo locals—both native Costa Ricans and implants from other places—love the rainy season. If you thought you wanted to plan your Costa Rica vacation to avoid the Tamarindo rainy season, think again. Don’t miss the best, most relaxing time of year.
Humidity
The rainy season is humid—you might as well know it. Some people like humidity in the air; some people don’t. It should probably go without saying that rainy times of the year by the ocean have a higher humidity level than say, Las Vegas. Two days in Tamarindo in the rainy season, and you’re guaranteed to look 10 years younger than you did when you got off the plane. Your skin loves the humidity even if your brain is unaccustomed to it. Enjoy it. Think of it as a free sauna.
The humidity is most noticeable right before the rain starts to fall. Refreshing afternoon or evening showers bring relief. If it gets to be too much for you, enjoy the indoor comfort of your air-conditioned Tamarindo vacation rental, or one of the Tamarindo restaurants that offer indoor seating. Better yet, jump in the pool or the ocean. You’ll forget about it in a second.
Lots of lush vegetation
In the green season, expect green! This is the time of year that trees are covered with new leaves, gardens spring back to life, flowers bloom, birds and monkeys are filling their bellies again with their favorite treats… Nature is absolutely exuberant! Mountains are green, pastures are green, forests are green, gardens are green—you could color the whole countryside with a palate of shades of green from emerald to lime to pine. Canopy tours are fun to take at this time of year, mountain hikes, bike rides, horseback trail rides—anything that puts you out in nature under the millions of leaves. Every breath you take is saturated with pure oxygen they create.
More insects
Pack your favorite insect repellent and use it. Monkeys, hummingbirds, iguanas and the wild deer in the mountains aren’t the only creatures that thrive in the rainy season. Critters that creep and buzz like it too, so be prepared. We make sure to keep them out of your Tamarindo vacation rental as best we can, but if an industrious ant or a sneaky spider outwit us, don’t be surprised. They aren’t dangerous; they’re just pesky and ingenious. A broom, a shoe, or a can of spray can take care of any of your insect visitors if they are unwelcome. Make sure to keep insect repellent on or nearby, especially in the mornings and evenings. Mosquitoes don’t like hot sun, so they shouldn’t be much of a bother while you sunbathe, but they can chew up your toes under the table at dinner if you forget the repellent when you leave the house. Throw some in your back and just keep it nearby.
Mud
More and more of Tamarindo’s roads are paved, but when the weather gets rainy, it’s fair to expect a little mud. How much of it you have to drive or step through depends on where your Tamarindo hotel or vacation rental is located. Mud can be slippery, so walk carefully.
A word to the wise: For your Tamarindo rainy season vacation, bring a pair of sandals that can get wet. When we say sandals, we mean something besides your flip-flops—something that straps to the back of your ankle. Why? Because of flip flops in the rain or on a wet road/sidewalk flip water, mud and little stones all up the back of your legs while you walk. We Tamarindo locals might know something about this. We actually prefer to take our shoes off to walk in the rain, but we know you don’t have jungle feet as we do, so we won’t recommend you do that. Bring rain-worthy sandals that strap to your feet so that you won’t slip or have to do a load of wash when you get back to your vacation rental.
Refreshing evenings
Evenings after a tropical rain shower are the best thing you will ever experience. Depending on where you live and what you’re accustomed to, you may find rainy season evenings pleasantly cool. You may, at most, want a light sweater or a light long-sleeved shirt. Don’t bother with coats or jackets—it never actually gets cold in Costa Rica at sea level. In May and June, the sun sets between 6 and 6:30 PM, and by 7:00 PM it is dark. These long tropical evenings under the stars or under raindrops are the perfect relaxing end to days filled with fun in the sun.
Warm ocean water
Rainy season wind patterns create amazingly warm ocean temperatures in Tamarindo. Breezes generally blow on-shore during the afternoon hours which keeps the sun-warmed surface water close to the beach where we can enjoy it. Surfers aren’t the biggest fans of on-shore winds, but if you get up early enough or you wait until sunset, a few hours of light off-shores are often your reward.
Mornings are the sunniest part of the day
No matter what else happens during the day, mornings are generally the sunniest. This is important to you to know so that you plan your trips and tours accordingly. Take your Tamarindo surf lessons, your canopy tours, your snorkeling trips, your ATV tours, or whatever else our concierge helps you plan during the morning if at all possible. Leave the afternoon for relaxing, listening to the rain, sipping a cocktail, or taking a nap.
Lower prices
Because the first half of the rainy season coincides with summer in the northern hemisphere, more vacationers choose destinations closer to home, and Tamarindo experiences its lower tourist season. Less demand creates, in some cases, lower prices. You won’t find this price fluctuation in stores or restaurants, but you may find it in hotels and vacation rentals, in car rental agencies, and in some tour companies. Boutiques offer sales and restaurants are more likely to offer low-season specials, especially to guests who pay in cash. Don’t be concerned about cash—you don’t need to go to the bank for colones. Tamarindo businesses are all more than happy for dollars and in fact, you will be surprised by how many of them lists prices in American dollars.
Electricity flickers
This can happen at any time of year for a variety of reasons or for no reason at all, but for sure during Tamarindo’s rainy season, don’t panic if the lights go off. Storms are one of the things that can cause power outages. When the electricity goes, the wifi goes with it but don’t worry—when one comes back, the other will follow. Nowadays, power outages of longer than 30 minutes are rare. They aren’t impossible, but they are unlikely. If the lights go off for no apparent reason, just remember this is part of everyday life in the jungle and everything is going to be fine. If you can see that your vacation rental is the only house to have lost power, you might want to contact us or whichever company is responsible for the home. If you can see that other homes near yours have also lost power, the best thing you can do is hang tight and enjoy the ride. Property managers can pull a lot of strings, but power company issues are bigger than we are. Chances are we’re in the dark too, and the lights will be back by the time you find your phone.
Beautiful sunsets
Have you heard that the rainy season has the most beautiful sunsets? It’s true. The clouds act like screens or prisms the reflect or refract the light of the sun as it sinks below them on the horizon. Dry season sunsets are beautiful too, but they’re a simple firey ball sinking into the sea. Rainy season sunsets can be performance pieces that go on and on until night has completely fallen.
A Word to the Wise: Rinse out your salty stuff
We’re ending this What to Expect post with a tip: rinse out your salty beach stuff with fresh water when you get out of the ocean. Why? Because salt holds moisture, and if you hang your salty bathing suit up to dry in the rainy season…it won’t. You will be putting on a clammy wet bathing suit tomorrow. Guaranteed. The salt in the cloth will pull water from the humid air, and your salty stuff will never dry. If you hang it in the sun and it dries there, it will pull in moisture from the air during the night and feel sticky when you go to put it on. It takes just a moment to rinse the salt out of your bathing suit before you drape it over the shower or a patio chair or to dry, and you’ll have a much more pleasant experience of putting it back on in the morning.
We have all kinds of rainy season tips and advice. Contact us to get in on the best of Tamarindo’s green season, 2019!
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