Guanacaste Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Guanacaste, Costa Rica in December.

Thinking about venturing to Guanacaste, Costa Rica this December and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Guanacaste in December

Guanacaste, Costa Rica is a region in Costa Rica. December in Guanacaste generally has temperatures that range from warm to very warm, with precipitation levels ranging from low to high.

Temperatures

During the day temperatures vary from warm in Nuevo Arenal at 28°C (82°F) to very warm in Nicoya at 32°C (90°F). At night it cools down to 22°C (72°F) in Nicoya and 20°C (68°F) in Nuevo Arenal. The temperatures cited for both day and night represent usual averages, but it's possible some days could be hotter. It's advisable to dress accordingly to handle the heat.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From low rainfall in Ocotal with an average of 12 mm (0.5 in) to high rainfall in Nuevo Arenal with 147 mm (5.8 in).

Average sunshine

Plenty of sunshine can be expected in numerous places in December. Tamarindo typically receives 258 hours of sunlight, making it ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore Guanacaste by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Guanacaste — and find the best time to visit. (based on Tamarindo)

Best Places to Visit in Guanacaste in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Guanacaste.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Guanacaste

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Guanacaste, Costa Rica?

Temperature range in Guanacaste (December)

Precipitation variation in Guanacaste (December)

Tamarindo

In December Tamarindo generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
32°C (90°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
206 hours
258 hours
295 hours
Monthly rainfall
118 mm (4.6 in)
14 mm (0.6 in)
4.2 mm (0.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
10 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Coco

In December Coco generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
206 hours
258 hours
295 hours
Monthly rainfall
102 mm (4 in)
12 mm (0.5 in)
4 mm (0.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
10 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Playa Flamingo

In December Playa Flamingo generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C (77°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
Monthly sun hours
206 hours
258 hours
295 hours
Monthly rainfall
108 mm (4.3 in)
12 mm (0.5 in)
4.1 mm (0.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
10 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Sámara

In December Sámara generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 24°C (75°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
29°C (84°F)
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
Min temperature
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly rainfall
226 mm (8.9 in)
49 mm (1.9 in)
16 mm (0.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
11 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Playa Grande

In December Playa Grande generally has very high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 31°C (88°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 25°C (77°F) and low monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
30°C (86°F)
31°C (88°F)
32°C (90°F)
Min temperature
25°C (77°F)
25°C (77°F)
24°C (75°F)
Monthly sun hours
206 hours
258 hours
295 hours
Monthly rainfall
115 mm (4.5 in)
14 mm (0.6 in)
4.1 mm (0.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
10 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Guanacaste, in Costa Rica.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Guanacaste in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Tamarindo 31°C (88°F) 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Coco 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Playa Flamingo 31°C (88°F) 25°C (77°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Sámara 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Playa Grande 31°C (88°F) 25°C (77°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Nosara 30°C (86°F) 24°C (75°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)

Guanacaste weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Guanacaste, Costa Rica in December?

December in Guanacaste, Costa Rica brings pleasant weather. In Tamarindo, daytime temperatures are typically around 31°C (88°F) and nighttime lows hover near 24°C (75°F).

What is the average temperature in Guanacaste, Costa Rica in December?

Tamarindo averages a daytime maximum of 31°C (88°F) in December, with overnight lows close to 24°C (75°F).

Does Guanacaste, Costa Rica get a lot of rain in December?

December is on the drier side in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Tamarindo averages only about 14 mm (0.6 in), with most days staying dry.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Guanacaste, Costa Rica?

We consider December to be one of the best times to travel to Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Typically, the climate in Tamarindo is perfect. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.

Generally speaking, January and December provide pleasant weather in Tamarindo. The weather in May, June, July, August, September and October, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Guanacaste.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Costa Rica? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Costa Rica.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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