Puntarenas Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit
Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best time to visit Puntarenas.
Climate overview of Puntarenas
Puntarenas, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, has a stable climate with little temperature variation across the year. Average daytime temperatures hover around 30°C (86°F), peaking in March at 32°C (90°F) and dipping in January to 29°C (84°F).
With around 2952 mm (116 in) of annual rainfall, Puntarenas 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. March is the sunniest month, averaging 9.4 hours of sunshine per day.
Puntarenas Weather by Month
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Puntarenas — and find the best time to visit.
Monthly Temperature in Puntarenas
With minimal seasonal shifts, Puntarenas experiences a constant climate year-round. Average daytime temperatures reach a very warm 32°C (90°F) in March. In January, the coolest month of the year, temperatures drop to a comfortable 29°C (84°F).
At night, temperatures range from around 25°C (77°F) in March to 24°C (75°F) in January.
Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.
Temperature ranges by month
Rainfall in Puntarenas
Puntarenas has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 2952 mm (116 in) of rainfall per year. Puntarenas can be quite wet during October, receiving approximately 461 mm (18 in) of precipitation over 21 rainy days.
In contrast, during the driest month (February), you will experience much drier conditions, with 20 mm (0.8 in) of precipitation spread across 7 rainy days days. For more details, please visit our Puntarenas Precipitation page.
The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail, and snow
Sunshine Hours in Puntarenas
Puntarenas 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
Wind Speed in Puntarenas
The mean wind speed varies between 1 m/s (2 knots) and 2 m/s (4 knots) throughout the year. It is lowest in January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December and highest during February. What does this mean?
The mean monthly wind speed over the year (meters per second)
Best Time to Visit Puntarenas
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. Wondering where to travel based on your weather preferences? Our recommendation tool helps you find destinations with your ideal climate conditions. Use our weather planner to find your perfect destination.
Frequently asked questions about the climate in Puntarenas
What is the best time to visit Puntarenas?
January, February and March typically offer the most optimal weather in Puntarenas. In contrast, May, June, July, August, September, October and November tend to have less optimal conditions. Puntarenas has distinct dry (January to March) and wet (May to November) seasons.
What temperatures can I expect in Puntarenas?
Daytime highs range from 29°C (84°F) in January to 32°C (90°F) in March. Nighttime lows range from 24°C (75°F) to 25°C (77°F). Temperatures stay relatively stable year-round.
How much rain does Puntarenas get?
Annual rainfall is around 2952 mm (116 in). October is the wettest month with 461 mm (18 in), while February is the driest with 20 mm (0.8 in).
How sunny is Puntarenas?
Puntarenas 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, Puntarenas enjoys abundant sunshine.
Puntarenas 3-Day Forecast
Puntarenas 3-Day Forecast
Puntarenas on the map
Puntarenas is highlighted — select any city to see its climate.
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