November is when Costa Rica’s dry season begins — and it’s one of the most underappreciated months to visit. The rain tapers off, the skies open up, and you get the best of both worlds: dry season sunshine with the green season landscape still at its most vibrant. It’s a beautiful, quieter time to be here.
Weather
November marks the transition into dry season. Around Dominical, the rain reduces noticeably through the month — early November may see the occasional afternoon shower, but by mid-to-late November the dry season has typically taken hold. Sunny days, clear skies, pleasant evenings.
Daytime temperatures sit in the low to mid-80s°F (27–31°C). The jungle is still lush and intensely green from the preceding months, but the air is drying out. It’s a visually stunning time — green mountains against increasingly blue skies.
As always, Costa Rica’s thousand-plus microclimates mean conditions vary by region. Inland areas and the northern Pacific coast may still see more rain in early November, while the central and south Pacific coast around Dominical tends to dry out earlier. The mountain-sheltered coastline here stays calmer and drier than you might expect.
Water temperature: 78°F (25–26°C). No wetsuit.
Surfing
November is an interesting month for swells. The SSW energy from the green season begins tapering, while NW swells from the northern hemisphere’s storm season start arriving. This overlap often produces varied, fun conditions — and our coaches know exactly which beaches respond to which swell direction.
The surf is consistent and good for all levels. The lineups are quiet — November falls between the green season calm and the December high season rush.
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.”
At Kalon Surf, November offers personalized coaching and daily video analysis with the added benefit of moderate guest numbers and a relaxed, unhurried pace.
What to know
November sits at the start of the high season build-up. Early November tends to have good availability and a relaxed atmosphere. Late November begins to feel busier as holiday travelers start booking for December and beyond. Planning a few months ahead is wise, especially for late November weeks.
It’s also worth knowing that November 1st is a public holiday in Costa Rica (Día de los Muertos), and November 2nd (All Souls’ Day) sees beautiful cemetery ceremonies in small towns. A culturally rich time to be in the country.
Beyond surfing
The last weeks of southern hemisphere whale watching overlap with the first weeks of northern hemisphere humpback arrivals — making November one of the few times you might see both populations. National parks are accessible, trails are in good condition, and the excursion options — waterfalls, ATV tours, snorkeling — are all in season.
For the full month-by-month breakdown, see our complete seasonal guide to surfing in Costa Rica.
