The rainy season in Costa Rica, also known as the "Green Season" or locally as "winter," generally lasts from May to November. It can be divided into three parts:
- Early Rainy Season: May and June, with increasing afternoon showers but mostly sunny mornings.
- Mid Rainy Season: July and August, with more consistent rains and a brief dry period called "veranillo" or little summer in mid to late July.
- Late Rainy Season: September, October, and November, which are the rainiest months, especially on the Pacific coast, though the Caribbean coast tends to be sunnier during this period.
The rainy season is characterized by heavy afternoon or evening downpours, but mornings are often sunny. The dry season runs from December to April, which is the opposite of the seasons in many northern countries. The Caribbean coast has a different pattern with rain distributed more evenly throughout the year and relatively less rain during September and October, which are actually sunnier there compared to the rest of the country. In summary, the rainy season in Costa Rica spans from May to November, with regional variations in rainfall intensity and timing.
