One of the questions most frequently asked by travelers is “When is the best time to visit Playa Grande?”
Truthfully, the answer depends what your idea of the perfect vacation is.
If you are looking for summer family vacation: we have beaches; we have sun. If you want a winter getaway (and we get that!) we have beaches, and we have sun. When visiting Playa Grande, there is a long list of things to do all year round such as horseback riding, ziplining and estuary tours. And let’s not forget endless hammock time!
You may have heard during September and October, Playa Grande is prone to heavy rain showers, which some believe put a damper on activities. However, we aren’t ones to let rain melt our adventuring souls. Instead we admire the lush greenness the season brings. We love it here year round. If temperature is your reason for visiting us, check out the weather patterns for the area.
But if you have something specific on your bucket list—we think all of them should be—take a gander at the peak times of year for these top tours in along our beautiful Guanacaste coast.
Grande exists as a surfing mecca for many reasons. Our favorite reason: less is more.
Just across the estuary in Tamarindo, catching a wave is tougher and less pleasant with so many tourists, but in Grande crowds are down since it’s in a National Park.
Let the beauty of the surroundings, and the peace of space guide you to your next surf destination—any time of year: Playa Grande.
A bunch of towns along the coast of Guanacaste—aptly named the Gold Coast for its vast richness—grew on the popularity of fishing with the present abundance of our sea’s fruit.
Of course certain times of year are more ideal for catching, mainly May through November, but we always have fresh ceviche on hand.
Now plan out your next photo op and join us for a fishing tour.
Water adventures are endless with the coastlines being the largest natural borders of Costa Rica. We find ourselves in a hot spot for diving and snorkeling as the Catalina Islands boast all kinds of sea life, from seahorses to giant manta rays and the reefs are full of octopuses, eels and varieties of tropical fish. Moreover, touring on SUP provides its own vantage point to sea turtles, dolphins and even whales. May through October is a good time to slow down on the water, especially with less wind.
In the face of decreasing numbers of Leatherback Turtles in our oceans, Playa Grande still exists as one of the top three havens in the world. That being said, timing is everything with these gentle giants.
Check out the infographic on our Turtle Tour page for more specific timings on when eggs are laid and hatch, as well as other breeds of turtles.
During certain times of the year our Papagayo Trade Winds can really hit. For salty dogs looking for a fight, that could be when you should visit, but generally speaking a nice coastal tour is much preferred with a cocktail that doesn’t spill.
Ask our friends over at the Costa Rica Sailing Center, and they will tell you May through October would be the most favorable time of year to get behind the helm, learning to sail, or if you prefer a little tan time in the catamaran hammock.
When To Visit Playa Grande
Want to go
Turtle Watching? October thru February
Surfing? Year round!
Fishing? May thru November
Sailing? May thru October
Diving, Snorkeling & flatwater paddle boarding? May thru October
myPG Pro Tip:
January and September are the months we see the humpback
whales migrate and play in the water meters off the shoreline.
So if you are wanting to give a personal hello to these beautifully
large and majestic creatures, plan to come during those months.
