Santa Elena Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit
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 January 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.
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 January, 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 January.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 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
Santa Elena 3-Day Forecast
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
Best Time to Visit Santa Elena
With its warm weather, Santa Elena experiences temperatures from 28°C (82°F) to 31°C (88°F) throughout the year. January, February, March, April and December offers the driest weather, which makes it a good time to visit.It's smart to plan your activities during the cooler morning hours or take advantage of the refreshing evenings.
Note that May, June, July, August, September, October and November make up the rainy season, with heavier precipitation expected. Planning your next adventure but unsure where to go? Our climate tool suggests perfect locations tailored to your preferred weather conditions. Discover your ideal travel destination with our weather planner.
