Winter is just around the corner, and that means you are probably already wondering how to make it through the darker and colder months ahead. A holiday to a warm and beautiful place is the obvious answer, but then the question of “where” emerges. Fortunately, you have Costa Rica among your options, and we are going to look at just why it is the ideal getaway for those yearning for something beyond the wind, rain, snow and ice of winter.
Understanding the Seasons
Unlike many other Caribbean locations, Costa Rica is different. Firstly, it has coastal areas along the Caribbean and the Pacific. This gives it unique weather patterns. This is why experts will say that the area has a dry and a green season. What these mean to travelers are a peak season (dry season runs from roughly December to around April or May in most areas of the country) and rainy season (this season runs from around May to November in most regions).
However, there is considerable diversity in the seasons based on where you travel, and that alone makes it a good idea to plan your winter holiday to coincide with the best conditions. As you might guess, the flexibility of the seasonal conditions in Costa Rica is a key reason to book your winter visit. After all, you might find optimal conditions from as early as November to as late as May in many areas.
What are the other four reasons that a winter holiday in Costa Rica is such a good idea? Let’s look at them now…
The Rainforests
While their name implies you are bound to get wet during a visit, if you want to enjoy a truly pleasurable experience in the Costa Rican rainforests open to tourists, you will want to avoid the “green” season. That means a winter visit to spots like Manuel Antonio National Park are a wonderful excuse to book your journey. Remember too that roughly 25% of the country is held as national parks, so you have many opportunities to find rainforests to visit.
The Food
Though many people don’t consider Costa Rica a foodie destination, it has garnered a global reputation for its exciting cuisine and its specialty goods. After all, it is a primary supplier of foods like bananas, coffee and chocolate as well as some more exotic spices and prepared foods. However, if you are headed to the country during its rainy and wet season, you may not get to enjoy a lot of the freshest produce or other goods not grown during that season. Also, you may be unable to enjoy tours of some of the nicest farms open to visitors. For instance, Villa Vanilla is an actual working cinnamon, vanilla and pepper plantation.
The Landscape and Its Inhabitants
If you wish to explore the national parks, take in some of the finest beaches and make the most of your time in the area, it is wise to do so during the peak months which coincide with winter in North America. Though you can still get out and do many things during the rainier season, your options are greatly limited. There are also many fun festivals during the winter months, including the Palmares Fiestas, National Orchid Show, the El Tope and Carnival in December, and many others.
It is not often that a visit to a premier destination during the peak or height of tourist season is suggested, but Costa Rica is an exception. Though you can still have a fantastic experience during the wetter months, if you want to really get out and see all that the area has to offer, you’ll find it easier during the drier months of winter.