Santa Cruz Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore Santa Cruz’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in Costa Rica.
Monthly Temperature Averages
Santa Cruz enjoys a stable climate with temperatures staying pretty much the same throughout the year. Average maximum daytime temperatures reach a very hot 36°C in April. In November, the coolest month of the year, temperatures drop to a very warm 31°C. At night, expect even cooler temperatures, with lows averaging around 23°C.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Santa Cruz by month:
The lowest temperatures typically occur between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the peak temperatures are generally observed around 3 PM, when the sun's heating is most intense. April, the city’s warmest month, enjoys 265 hours of sunshine.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
November, the city’s coldest month, sees about 141 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 13 days. It records 206 hours of sunshine of sunshine.
Annual Temperatures in Costa Rica Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across Costa Rica. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
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Santa Cruz Temperatures Compared World Wide
Santa Cruz’s average annual maximum temperature is 33°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual temperature is around 21°C, resulting in warm summers and mild winters throughout the year.
Interlaken, Switzerland, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 8°C, with mild summers and very cold winters.
The climate in San Francisco, USA, is mild, with an average annual temperature of 19°C and minimal seasonal variation.
Perth, Australia, experiences a Mediterranean climate, with a pleasant average temperature of 25°C.
How does the temperature feel?
Humidity is an essential factor in how you experience temperature. When a warm period is accompanied by high humidity, it results in a higher perceived temperature. This is especially true when temperatures exceed 25°C, as it can cause greater discomfort.
In Santa Cruz, during the coolest month, November, you will experience 80% humidity, which is considered very high. This is accompanied by an average maximum temperature of 31°C. In the warmest month, April, the humidity is 62% combined with an average maximum temperature of 36°C, which creates a high-feel temperature. Explore our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Temperatures in the Mountains
Although not all regions have mountains, elevated areas exhibit distinct temperature variations.
- Sun Exposure: Sunlit slopes tend to be warmer, while shaded areas remain cooler.
- Altitude Effects: Temperatures drop by approximately 6°C for every 1,000 meters of elevation, creating distinct microclimates.
For more detailed information about Santa Cruz’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Santa Cruz climate page.
Current temperature in Santa Cruz
