Take your "pura vida" experience to the next level with a green season Costa Rica vacation. The green (rainy) season runs from May to mid-November, bringing fewer crowds, lower rates, and abundant wildlife. Sunshine is still on offer despite afternoon rains, and higher rivers bring bigger rapids for whitewater rafting adventures. Many travellers shy away from Costa Rica travel during green season, but it can be a great time to explore the wonders of this lush, tropical country. With its easy access, developed infrastructure, amazing diversity, and of course, warm weather and beautiful beaches, a Costa Rica vacation is one of the most popular getaways for North Americans looking to escape their cooler climate. Costa Rica remains near the top – if not at the top – of many people’s bucket lists for the region. This Central American country is a sought-after destination for single travellers, couples, groups, and families.
Green Season Weather
Costa Ricans call this wet time of year their winter. The dry season, considered summer by Costa Ricans, lasts from mid-November to April. Different parts of the country have different weather patterns, and in some of the Pacific Coast beach regions, rainy season does not mean each day will bring downpours. In fact, some days it won’t rain at all. Rain equals higher rivers equals bigger rapids for white water rafting options, as well as better waterfalls. During the rainy season, mornings are typically clear and bright. Costa Rica even becomes more lush and green, enabling fruits and flowers to bloom, attracting more birds and butterflies. Watch it unfold when you wander through gorgeous hummingbird and orchid gardens.
Wonderful Wildlife
The green season brings amazing wildlife experiences. August is turtle birthing season on the Osa Penninsula. Osa Peninsula is a wildlife paradise. Called "the most biologically intense place on earth" by National Geographic, this remote area is home to thousands of species of plants and animals including jaguars, scarlet macaws, monkeys, and three species of sea turtles. On the Caribbean coast, the green season is the ideal time to visit to witness the incredible green sea turtles nesting on the shores of Tortuguero. Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales, which give birth in October - making it a great place to see these magnificent creatures up close.
Coffee Harvesting
Costa Rican coffee is prized as some of the world’s best, and is shipped everywhere from Austin to Amsterdam. In green season, the harvesting of coffee berries begins. Most coffee berries are handpicked from the plants covering the scenic countryside. A tour of a coffee plantation is a great way to learn about how coffee is grown and harvested. Walk through the fields as a guide explains the de-pulping, drying, and roasting process. Savour a fresh cup of coffee at the end - a satisfying treat on your Costa Rica vacation!
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Born in Australia and raised in Canada and Papua New Guinea, Don took his first solo trip to Bali – aged just 13. Since then, Don’s travels have taken him to every continent. He’s been a backpacker in Asia, Europe and Egypt, an overland adventurer in East and Southern Africa, and an overland driver in South and Central America. He is especially fond of Peru, Patagonia and Namibia, though his longest adventure to date has been a London to Kathmandu run via the Middle East.
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