February is an excellent time to visit Costa Rica. The dry season is well established, the weather is reliably sunny, and the Pacific coast delivers consistent, rideable surf every day.
Weather
Dry season continues through February with warm, sunny days in the low to mid-80s°F (27–31°C) along the Pacific coast. Rain is rare. The jungle is beginning its gradual transition from green to the golden tones of dry season, and flowering trees start to appear — particularly in Guanacaste to the north, though the Dominical area stays greener thanks to its mountain microclimate.
Costa Rica’s thousand-plus microclimates mean February looks different depending on where you are. The northern Pacific (Guanacaste, Nicoya Peninsula) is noticeably hotter — temperatures regularly hit the mid-90s°F — and the landscape turns brown and dry, with strong winds that can make surfing difficult. The Caribbean coast has its own weather patterns entirely — February can be one of the driest months on that side. Around Dominical, the central and south Pacific coast is considerably more comfortable: the mountains keep the coast greener, temperatures stay in the low-to-mid 80s, and the gentler winds allow all-day surfing.
Water temperature remains a steady 78°F (25–26°C). No wetsuit, ever.
Surfing
Similar to January — clean, moderate swells with offshore morning winds. Chest to shoulder height on most days, with well-formed wave faces perfect for progression. February is one of the best months for first-time surfers — the conditions are forgiving and consistent, which means more waves caught and faster learning.
One guest who visited in February described Kalon as the “luxury surf of my dreams — the staff has every detail covered and are constantly trying to make your stay even better.”
At Kalon Surf, we surf five days during the week with 3–4 hour sessions, plus pool training and daily video analysis. Your coach picks the right beach and board for your level each day.
What to know
February is still high season — not quite as peak as Christmas/January, but flights and bookings are in demand. Early booking is recommended. The tourism pace picks up around Valentine’s Day and President’s Day week (for U.S. travelers), so those weeks tend to fill especially fast.
Beyond surfing
Perfect weather for excursions: waterfall hikes, whale watching (northern hemisphere humpbacks are still present through March), zip-lining, or simply relaxing by the pool between surf sessions. February is also popular with couples — the combination of Valentine’s timing and guaranteed sunshine makes it a natural fit.
For the full month-by-month breakdown, see our complete seasonal guide to surfing in Costa Rica.
