5 Reasons the green season is the best time to visit and why you may need to rent a 4×4 SUV

Renting an SUV for your Costa Rica vacation during green season might just up the ante on adventure!

You could be forgiven for thinking the rainy season (May – November), what passes for a Costa Rican winter, is not the time to visit. However, the green season, as it’s called in Costa Rica, is the time of year that the rainforests and savannahs are at their most vibrant and colorful. Temperatures are cooler (70s inland and 80s on the Pacific Coast).

Besides, it doesn’t rain all day, every day for days on end. The mornings and evenings are usually sunny and warm, with mid-afternoon rains for an hour or two. And, it doesn’t necessarily rain every day.

About your Costa Rica green season rental car

During the green season, we recommend a 4WD vehicle, especially if you plan to visit the Guanacaste coast, the Osa Peninsula, Monteverde, or other rural areas. Roads in these areas tend to be unimproved, and you’ll need the clearance and traction for the mud and possible slides or washouts. While just a tiny bit more expensive than a sedan or economy-sized vehicle, there are still discounts available and the adventure added is totally worth it. If you can drive a manual instead of an automatic transmission, you’ll save even more on your rental.

Here are 5 of our best reasons to visit Costa Rica during the green season:

It’s cheaper

Hotels, tours, and rental cars are steeply discounted because availability is at its peak. Most visitors come during the dry season, and demand is high. If you’re on a budget, give serious thought to coming during the green season.

No crowds

As we mentioned above, most tourists visit during the dry season (mid-November – April). Also, fewer Costa Rican families take a vacation during this time—the children are all in school. Tours have fewer people and wait times are shorter for attractions. Most days, there are only a handful of people on the beach or your tour.

Surf’s up

The combination of wind and currents are just right on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, making it an excellent time to paddle out. While the waves are big and powerful at many beaches, there are places for beginner and intermediate surfers. In Jacó, there are board shops and surf schools up and down the beach, which has more modest breaks. Be honest about your abilities and ask the pros for recommendations.

Whitewater rafting

During the green season, you’ll find the whitewater tours are much more exhilarating—the water’s higher and flowing faster than during the dry season. In fact, during the dry season, many whitewater operators are beached for lack of flow. This may be the one exception to less crowded—rafters are more likely to be taking a run down the river this time of year.

Wildlife

Green season is also when the wildlife is most visible, feeding on the fruits of the forests. Sea turtles come ashore in their droves to lay eggs on the beach, and humpback whales migrate to the waters off the Osa Peninsula to rest and raise their calves. If you enjoy spotting birds, this is the time of year that northern species are flying south along the Pacific Flyway.

Contact us to discuss your itinerary; we can help you find the right car for your visit.