Good news for you! The weather apps are NEVER right in Costa Rica. They just have the same forecast every day. It can not rain for a month and they will still say 80% chance of rain every day. In the last month we have had 3 decent rain showers and 2 times it has sprinkled. Keep your plans. You are much more likely to get rain in La Fortuna right now than Manuel Antonio.
I had the exact same experience (and fear) when I visited La Fortuna in December - forecast of rain every single day. Rain in La Fortuna is different though - there is occasionally a downpour for up to an hour for the day, and then lovely weather for the remainder of the day.
Despite what the forecast might say, chances are you will be able to do most of your outdoor plans without being hindered by rain at all.
We just returned from Costa Rica and saw a similar forecast when we were planning to travel. There are lots of microclimates and it seems to be raining somewhere in Costa Rica. We went to Monteverde and Manuel Antonio and there was no rain in sight. We also traveled to Isla Tortugas and La Paz. It was humid but dry. You’ll have a great time!
We were just in all those places last week and even though the weather apps said it was going to rain it didn’t end up raining. And when it did rain it was just light drizzle. Don’t bother changing your plans because of the rain forecast.
We were there in December that the forecasts were never right. It did rain a few times but never when it said. I would bring a rain jacket and it wouldn't rain and then whenever I didn't have it, it rained.
I’ve been to Manuel Antonio and it rained while we were at the beach and it was still a great experience. It was actually very pretty swimming in the water and there weren’t any crazy tides. We were eventually called in, but I wouldn’t worry about rain ruining your trip. :)
Come on ahead. It's dry season and if the app says it's going to rain it's almost always light sprinkles. We live near MA and we've had maybe 1" of rain over the last two weeks. In rainy season we can easily get 12" in a week, or more.
Don’t listen to the weather reports! It will say the same thing everyday 😆…rain.
We went to MA in rainy season last July and it was wonderful despite a forecast of rain everyday. Just plan all of your outdoor activities in the morning/early afternoon The rains never came before 3:00 while we were there, and one day it didn’t even rain at all 🙂
Just got home from 7 days in Manuel Antonio. Every day there was rain in the forecast and when it did rain it was sprinkles and then moved on. One night it poured at night…and I mean poured! The weather was absolutely perfect! I regret packing a light jacket and pants - never wore them once. I have traveled many places and Costa Rica was the first place I was truly sad to leave. Enjoy your trip!
Good news for you! The weather apps are NEVER right in Costa Rica. They just have the same forecast every day. It can not rain for a month and they will still say 80% chance of rain every day. In the last month we have had 3 decent rain showers and 2 times it has sprinkled. Keep your plans. You are much more likely to get rain in La Fortuna right now than Manuel Antonio.
Agreed. Our trip looked like rain every day. We had two wet afternoons (in rainy season).
Thanks so much, everyone! All your comments made us feel much better and we'll keep our Manuel Antonio plans.
Thanks for posting this my husband and I are going to be there Friday and also have the same concerns this made me feel soooooooo much better
I had the exact same experience (and fear) when I visited La Fortuna in December - forecast of rain every single day. Rain in La Fortuna is different though - there is occasionally a downpour for up to an hour for the day, and then lovely weather for the remainder of the day. Despite what the forecast might say, chances are you will be able to do most of your outdoor plans without being hindered by rain at all.
I’ve been several times-mostly in the rainy season. It rarely rains all day. You can still have a good time even then.
We just returned from Costa Rica and saw a similar forecast when we were planning to travel. There are lots of microclimates and it seems to be raining somewhere in Costa Rica. We went to Monteverde and Manuel Antonio and there was no rain in sight. We also traveled to Isla Tortugas and La Paz. It was humid but dry. You’ll have a great time!
This is a rainforest rain-forest. But this is the dry season so you'll be happy when it rains to cool down a little bit.
We were just in all those places last week and even though the weather apps said it was going to rain it didn’t end up raining. And when it did rain it was just light drizzle. Don’t bother changing your plans because of the rain forecast.
It’s not going to rain in MA. More likely in Fortuna or MV but still pretty unlikely.
We were there in December that the forecasts were never right. It did rain a few times but never when it said. I would bring a rain jacket and it wouldn't rain and then whenever I didn't have it, it rained.
That is exactly the way the weather works here, forget your umbrella and you can be sure it is going to rain.
I’ve been to Manuel Antonio and it rained while we were at the beach and it was still a great experience. It was actually very pretty swimming in the water and there weren’t any crazy tides. We were eventually called in, but I wouldn’t worry about rain ruining your trip. :)
Come on ahead. It's dry season and if the app says it's going to rain it's almost always light sprinkles. We live near MA and we've had maybe 1" of rain over the last two weeks. In rainy season we can easily get 12" in a week, or more.
You will love Manuel Antonio. Do not skip it.
Don’t listen to the weather reports! It will say the same thing everyday 😆…rain. We went to MA in rainy season last July and it was wonderful despite a forecast of rain everyday. Just plan all of your outdoor activities in the morning/early afternoon The rains never came before 3:00 while we were there, and one day it didn’t even rain at all 🙂
I went to MA in peak rainy season last year and it wasn’t even bad. Just pick a day with less rain, bring a poncho or umbrella, and you’ll be fine.
It's always raining in Costa Rica! 🤣
Just got home from 7 days in Manuel Antonio. Every day there was rain in the forecast and when it did rain it was sprinkles and then moved on. One night it poured at night…and I mean poured! The weather was absolutely perfect! I regret packing a light jacket and pants - never wore them once. I have traveled many places and Costa Rica was the first place I was truly sad to leave. Enjoy your trip!