July is a genuinely underrated month in Costa Rica. The veranito — “little summer” — is in full swing: this is effectively dry season, with sunny days, warm evenings, consistent surf, and a jungle that’s impossibly green. Humpback whales are arriving along the coast. If this sounds like paradise, that’s because it is.
Conditions vary across Costa Rica — this is a country with over a thousand microclimates. Inland areas and the northern Pacific coast tend to see more rain during the green season months, but along the central and south Pacific, veranito delivers the same sunshine you’d expect from December or January.
Weather
Veranito continues through July. Around Dominical, expect predominantly sunny days in the mid-80s°F (28–32°C). If rain appears at all, it’s typically a 20-minute afternoon shower that dries up quickly in the heat. The jungle is at peak green — every shade you can imagine — and the air feels warm but not oppressive.
Because the mountains shield our coastline from the wind patterns that affect Guanacaste, we don’t have the midday wind problems that force surfers in Tamarindo or Santa Teresa into two narrow daily sessions. Here, we surf from mid to high tide throughout the day.
Water temperature: 78°F (25–26°C). No wetsuit.
Surfing
Consistent SSW swells deliver reliable wave power. The surf is excellent for all levels — enough push for intermediates to work on turns and speed, clean enough for beginners to progress confidently. The lineups are uncrowded.
At Kalon Surf, July is one of the best months of the year — dry season weather with green season wave quality and a greener, more dramatic landscape than you’d see in January or February. Coaches rotate between multiple beach breaks based on daily conditions. Most guests are riding green waves by mid-week.
What to know
July sees an uptick in visitors compared to May and June — it’s school holiday season in many countries, making it popular with families. That said, it’s nowhere near the January–March crowds. Booking a few months in advance is wise, especially for family-sized accommodations like Kalon’s Bungalow or Villa.
July flights are typically less expensive than the December–March peak. But the reason to come in July isn’t about finding a deal — it’s about conditions that many guests genuinely prefer: dry, sunny weather, bigger swells, a more relaxed atmosphere, and a landscape that’s far more lush and alive than the brown hillsides of high season.
Beyond surfing
July is prime whale watching season. Southern hemisphere humpback whales are now present along the Pacific coast near Marino Ballena National Park — you can sometimes spot them from the resort. On your Wednesday day off, a whale watching boat tour is one of the most popular options.
The waterfall hikes are spectacular in July — rivers are full, the falls are powerful, and the jungle trail is at its most alive. Nauyaca and Hacienda Ébano are guest favorites.
For the full month-by-month breakdown, see our complete seasonal guide to surfing in Costa Rica.
