The honest answer to “when’s the best time to surf in Costa Rica?” is: whenever you can go.
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast gets rideable waves 365 days a year. The water is warm enough year-round (78°F / 25–26°C) that you’ll never need a wetsuit. And because Costa Rica has hundreds of microclimates — shaped by mountains, valleys, coastline, and elevation — the weather where we surf around Dominical doesn’t follow the same patterns you’ll read about in generic Costa Rica travel guides.
We’ve coached guests at Kalon Surf every week of the year, in every season, and we can tell you this: there is no bad month. There are different months — with different wave sizes, different light, different energy in the jungle around you. But the surfing is always there, and the experience is always worth the trip.
Here’s what each month actually looks like on Costa Rica’s south Pacific coast, from the people who live and surf here every day.
Dry season (December – April)
The dry season — or verano — brings sunny skies, lighter winds, and smaller, cleaner swells. This is the most popular time for visitors, and for good reason: the weather is consistently beautiful and the waves are forgiving. If you’re a first-time surfer or planning a trip with family, this is a great starting point.
December
The dry season begins. Days are sunny with blue skies, evenings cool off slightly thanks to the Papagayo winds. Swells are moderate — chest-high on good days — with clean, well-formed waves that are ideal for beginners and intermediates. Costa Rica is festive in December, and the jungle is still green from the tail end of the rains.
One guest who visited in December wrote: “We were talking on the way home about the best part of the trip. The staff and our fellow guests were the highlights. We loved the mansion and our bungalow, but the people really made our experience memorable.”
Best for: Beginners, couples, families, holiday travel. Book early — this is peak season.
January
Peak dry season. Consistently sunny, warm days with offshore morning winds creating clean wave faces. Swells are typically smaller but very rideable, making this one of the best months for beginners building confidence. The landscape starts to dry out slightly, with flowering trees beginning to appear.
Best for: First-time surfers, those who want guaranteed sunshine.
February
Similar to January — reliable sun, clean surf, warm water. The tourism pace picks up around this time. One February guest described the experience as “luxury surf of my dreams — the staff has every detail covered and are constantly trying to make your stay even better.”
Best for: Beginners and intermediates. Great weather for combining surf with excursions — waterfalls, wildlife, ATV tours.
March
One of the driest months. Golden light, warm water, and some of the cleanest surf conditions of the year. Early southern hemisphere swells can start arriving late in the month, giving intermediate surfers more to work with.
A guest who came in March — a self-described luxury resort connoisseur who’s stayed at Four Seasons properties worldwide — wrote that her week at Kalon was “perfection. Far better than I imagined, and my teen daughter said it was the best thing we’ve ever done.”
Best for: All levels. Arguably the most consistently pleasant weather of the year.
April
The transitional month. Still predominantly dry, but you may see the first hints of afternoon clouds. Swells start to pick up as the southern hemisphere’s storm season begins sending energy toward Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. A great month for surfers who want dry-season comfort with slightly more wave power.
Best for: Intermediates who want bigger waves without full green season conditions. Also a quieter month than January–March.
Green season (May – November)
Locals call this the green season — not the rainy season — for good reason. Where we are in Dominical, the rain pattern is nothing like what people imagine. Mornings and early afternoons are typically sunny with blue skies. If rain comes, it’s usually a cooling shower in the late afternoon or evening — often dramatic and beautiful, and it clears quickly. You’re not sitting inside all day watching it pour.
The jungle around Kalon comes alive during these months. Everything is intensely, vibrantly green. The waterfalls are at their most spectacular. Wildlife is more active. And the waves? The south Pacific coast receives consistent SSW swells from May through November, producing some of the best surf of the year.
A solo guest who visited during green season put it simply: “I was there during the rainy season. Mostly it rained at night and was sunny to cloudy during the day. Good surf conditions.”
Several of our return guests deliberately book green season because they love the combination of great surf, lush surroundings, and fewer crowds. We agree with them — these months have a magic to them that dry season doesn’t quite match.
May
The transition begins. Mornings are sunny, the first bigger SSW swells start arriving, and the landscape begins its transformation from dry to green. Rain, when it comes, is typically a short afternoon or evening shower. Water temperature holds steady at 78°F.
Best for: Intermediate and advancing surfers who want more wave power. Also a quieter month with less competition for bookings.
June — The Veranito begins
Here’s something most travel guides miss: June, July, and August are part of what Costa Ricans call the veranito — the “little summer.” It’s a natural pause within the green season where conditions feel almost like dry season. Blue skies during the day, warm and sunny, with excellent surf.
June specifically brings consistent SSW swells and comfortable weather. It’s one of the best-kept secrets for surfers who want bigger waves in dry-season conditions.
Best for: All levels. Excellent value and availability. Return guests love this month.
July
Veranito continues. Sunny days, warm evenings, and consistent surf. If rain shows up, it’s typically a brief 20-minute afternoon shower that dries up quickly in the heat. The jungle is beautifully green while the weather feels summery. Humpback whales from the southern hemisphere begin arriving along the coast — you can sometimes spot them from the resort.
Best for: Families, couples, all surf levels. A genuinely underrated month.
August
Still veranito. The surf remains consistent with SSW swells, and the weather continues to be predominantly sunny. Some of our most memorable weeks happen in August — great waves, relaxed vibes, vibrant jungle. The whale watching season is in full swing around Marino Ballena and Uvita.
Best for: Experienced beginners to advanced surfers. Excellent whale watching on your Wednesday day off.
September
The veranito winds down and the green season deepens. Mornings are still typically sunny, but afternoon rain becomes more common — those refreshing, cooling showers that make the evenings feel crisp and the jungle smell incredible. The surf is excellent: consistent SSW swells with longer period energy that creates powerful, well-formed waves.
We love September at Kalon. Return guests love it too. The combination of great surf, vibrant green jungle, warm water, and a quieter pace makes this one of the most special months to visit.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced surfers. If you’re comfortable in the water and want excellent waves with fewer people, this is your month.
October
The greenest, most dramatic month. The jungle around the resort is at peak vibrancy — every shade of green you can imagine. Rain is more regular in the afternoons, but mornings are still typically sunny to partly cloudy. The surf delivers excellent SSW swells. October is quieter and more intimate, often with smaller guest groups — which means even more personalized coaching.
One guest who visited in October summed it up: “The property is so relaxing. The rooms, the meals, yoga, lounge, pool — it was all there for your use. More than anything, the best part of Kalon is the people.”
Best for: Return guests, experienced surfers, anyone who values intimate weeks with fewer guests. Potentially the best value of the year.
November
The transition back toward dry season. Rainfall tapers off through the month, swells begin shifting from SSW to NW as the northern hemisphere’s storm season starts influencing the Pacific. The last weeks of November can feel like the dry season has already begun — sunny, clear, beautiful. A quiet, underappreciated month.
A group of six friends who visited in mid-November wrote: “We had an absolutely wonderful time. The management team checked in with us regularly. The food was excellent and in some cases exceptionally so. I can’t imagine people eating any better at any other surf resort in Costa Rica.”
Best for: All levels. A transitional month that often delivers the best of both worlds — green landscapes with drier weather.
So when should you come?
Here’s a simple framework:
You want guaranteed sunshine and gentle waves (perfect for first-timers): December through April. Book early for January and March — these fill up fast.
You want the best surf with sunny, summer-like conditions: June through August (veranito). This is genuinely one of the best stretches of the year, and fewer people know about it.
You want powerful waves, lush jungle, and a more intimate experience: September and October. Return guests and experienced surfers gravitate here.
You want a bit of everything: May and November are the shoulder months where conditions overlap beautifully.
You just want to surf: Come whenever you can. We surf every week of the year. The water is always warm, the waves always show up, and the coaching is always personalized to wherever you are.
Monthly guides
Want the full picture for a specific month? We’ve written a detailed guide for each one — covering weather, surf conditions, what to know, and what to do beyond the waves:
- Costa Rica in January — Peak dry season, Papagayo winds, book 3–6 months ahead
- Costa Rica in February — Reliable sunshine, Valentine’s and Presidents Day demand
- Costa Rica in March — Arguably the best month, golden light, early southern swells
- Costa Rica in April — Transitional, post-Easter sweet spot, swells building
- Costa Rica in May — Green season begins, SSW swells arrive, jungle lights up
- Costa Rica in June — Veranito starts, effectively dry season with bigger waves
- Costa Rica in July — Veranito peak, whale watching begins, family season
- Costa Rica in August — Last of veranito, whale watching at its best
- Costa Rica in September — Return guests love it, consistent SSW swells, intimate groups
- Costa Rica in October — Greenest month, dramatic evenings, excellent surf
- Costa Rica in November — Transition month, dry season returning, best of both worlds
- Costa Rica in December — Dry season begins, festive atmosphere, holiday bookings
We also have a guide to visiting Costa Rica in the fall if you’re considering the September–November window.
The details that don’t change, regardless of month
No matter when you visit Kalon Surf, here’s what stays the same:
The water is 78°F (25–26°C) year-round — no wetsuit, ever. We provide a rash guard, surfboard, leash, and reef-safe sunblock. You’ll surf five days during your week, with 3- to 4-hour sessions adjusted to the tides. Video analysis happens daily so you can see your progression. Our coaches select the best beach break each day based on conditions and your level. Meals are prepared by our executive chef — three-course dinners, fresh lunch at the beach, and all snacks, coffee, beer, and wine included.
Over 60% of our guests have never surfed before. Many are 40, 50, or 60+. They come from all over the world, and most are riding green waves by mid-week. The season doesn’t change that. The coaching does.
