Santa Elena Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit
Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best time to visit Santa Elena.
Climate overview of Santa Elena
Santa Elena, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, has a stable climate with little temperature variation across the year. Average daytime temperatures hover around 29°C (84°F), peaking in April at 31°C (88°F) and dipping in November to 28°C (82°F).
With around 2139 mm (84 in) of annual rainfall, Santa Elena has a notably wet climate. However, this rainfall is not evenly distributed, the city has distinct dry (January to March) and wet (May to November) seasons. The wettest month is October. The sunniest month is March, with 9.4 hours of sunshine per day on average.
Santa Elena Weather by Month
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Santa Elena - and find the best time to visit.
Monthly Temperature in Santa Elena
With minimal seasonal shifts, Santa Elena experiences a constant climate year-round. Average daytime temperatures reach a very warm 31°C (88°F) in April. In November, the coolest month of the year, temperatures drop to a comfortable 28°C (82°F).
At night, temperatures range from around 21°C (70°F) in April to 19°C (66°F) in November.
Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.
Temperature ranges by month
Rainfall in Santa Elena
Santa Elena has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 2139 mm (84 in) of rainfall per year. Santa Elena can be quite wet during October, receiving approximately 364 mm (14 in) of precipitation over 22 rainy days.
In contrast, during the driest month (March), you will experience much drier conditions, with 16 mm (0.6 in) of precipitation spread across 7 rainy days. For more details, please visit our Santa Elena Precipitation page.
The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail, and snow
The average number of days each month with precipitation
Sunshine Hours in Santa Elena
Santa Elena can be enjoyed more throughout the sunniest month of March under a blue sky, with approximately 9.4 hours of sunshine daily. In contrast, the city experiences much darker days in June, with only 5.2 hours of sunlight per day.
Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.
Monthly hours of sunshine
Daily hours of sunshine
Best Time to Visit Santa Elena
Monthly ratings reflect general weather comfort, based on daytime temperature and rainfall. Swimming and winter conditions are highlighted separately where relevant.
- Best overall: January, February and December
- Warmest weather: March and April
- Most sunshine: March
- Fewest rainy days: February and March
- Seasonal pattern: Distinct dry (January to March) and wet (May to November) seasons
Frequently asked questions about the climate in Santa Elena
What is the best time to visit Santa Elena?
January, February and December typically offer the most optimal weather in Santa Elena. In contrast, May, June, September and October tend to have less optimal conditions. Santa Elena has distinct dry (January to March) and wet (May to November) seasons.
What temperatures can I expect in Santa Elena?
Daytime highs range from 28°C (82°F) in November to 31°C (88°F) in April. Nighttime lows range from 19°C (66°F) to 21°C (70°F). Temperatures stay relatively stable year-round.
How much rain does Santa Elena get?
Annual rainfall is around 2139 mm (84 in). October is the wettest month with 364 mm (14 in), while March is the driest with 16 mm (0.6 in).
How sunny is Santa Elena?
Santa Elena receives around 2,489 hours of sunshine per year. March is the sunniest month with 282 hours, while June is the cloudiest with just 156 hours. Overall, Santa Elena enjoys abundant sunshine.
Santa Elena 3-Day Forecast
Santa Elena 3-Day Forecast
Santa Elena on the map
Santa Elena is highlighted - select any city to see its climate.
Popular this month
Where to go in July - average daytime high across popular destinations.
Tamarindo
31°C (88°F) Santa Teresa29°C (84°F) Cahuita29°C (84°F) Herradura28°C (82°F) Puerto Viejo de Talamanca29°C (84°F) Fortuna28°C (82°F) Jacó28°C (82°F) San José24°C (75°F) 
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