June is one of the best-kept secrets in Costa Rica travel. While most people assume it’s “rainy season,” June is actually the start of veranito — the “little summer” — a period within the green season that is effectively dry season. Blue skies, warm and sunny days, excellent surf, and a fraction of the crowds you’d find in January. The difference? Everything is greener, the jungle is more alive, and the swells are bigger.
Costa Rica has over a thousand microclimates, so conditions vary dramatically by region. Inland areas like the Central Valley tend to get more rain, and the northern Pacific coast (Guanacaste) typically sees more rainfall than the central and south Pacific. Around Dominical, where we’re based, the mountains behind the coast create a sheltered zone — June days here are sunny and warm, with the occasional cooling rain shower in the evening that keeps everything lush.
Weather
June is the beginning of the veranito period that runs through August. Around Dominical and the south Pacific coast, this typically means sunny mornings and warm days in the mid-80s°F (28–32°C). If rain comes, it’s usually a brief afternoon shower that clears quickly. The jungle is vibrantly green — the transition from dry season is complete, and everything is lush and alive.
The mountain microclimate around Dominical means the wind dynamics are very different from the north Pacific. While Tamarindo and Nosara might be getting blown out midday, our area stays calm — meaning we can surf throughout the day, not just in narrow morning/afternoon windows.
Water temperature: 78°F (25–26°C). No wetsuit needed.
Surfing
June brings consistent SSW swells — more wave power than the traditional dry season months but with the same sunny, dry conditions. That’s the magic of veranito: green season surf quality with dry season weather, plus a greener landscape and fewer crowds. Excellent for all levels.
At Kalon Surf, our coaches select from multiple uncrowded beach breaks based on each day’s conditions. Return guests love June because of the wave quality, the quieter atmosphere, and the vibrant jungle surroundings. Daily video analysis keeps your progression on track regardless of level.
What to know
June flights tend to be cheaper than the December–March peak, and availability at resorts (including Kalon) is typically easier to secure than during the high season rush. But the real reason to come in June isn’t the flight price — it’s the conditions. Dry, sunny weather with bigger, more consistent swells than the winter months. The jungle at its greenest. Fewer people everywhere. Many of our return guests deliberately book June because they prefer it to high season.
Humpback whales from the southern hemisphere begin arriving along the coast in late June — the beginning of one of the longest whale watching seasons in the world.
Beyond surfing
The combination of warm weather and green jungle makes June perfect for excursions — everything from waterfall hikes (the falls are at their most spectacular as the rivers fill) to whale watching at Marino Ballena. Wildlife is active. The scenery is dramatic. And you’ll share it with far fewer people than in peak season.
For the full month-by-month breakdown, see our complete seasonal guide to surfing in Costa Rica.
