When is dry season in Los Sueños?

Dry season runs from mid-December through April. During this period, rain is minimal, skies are mostly clear, and temperatures stay warm, around 29–31°C (84–88°F) during the day.

When is the best time to visit Los Sueños for fishing?

For sailfish, visit December through April, with January through March being peak season. For tuna, blue marlin, and dorado, May through October offers excellent variety. Los Sueños Marina has quality fishing year-round.

What is Los Sueños weather like in rainy season?

Green season (May through November) brings afternoon showers, typically 2–4 hours per day, often clearing by evening. Mornings are frequently sunny. The rain keeps the landscape green and dramatically reduces crowds.

Is Los Sueños worth visiting in the rainy season?

Yes, for the right traveler. Rates drop 20–40%, fishing for offshore species like marlin and tuna is excellent, surf conditions peak, and the resort is far less crowded. The trade-off is accepting afternoon rain and occasionally rough offshore conditions.

What month is cheapest for Los Sueños rentals?

September and October consistently offer the lowest rates. October can surprise with good weather stretches while still carrying low-season pricing.

How crowded does Los Sueños get during Semana Santa?

Very. Semana Santa (Holy Week, usually March or April) is Costa Rica's biggest domestic holiday. The resort fills up, charter boats are fully booked, and prices peak. Book at least 3–4 months in advance if you plan to visit during this week.

Does it rain every day in green season?

Most days get afternoon rain during peak green season (June through October), but it rarely rains all day. Mornings are often clear and sunny, and most activities (fishing, tours, beach time) can be planned around the afternoon showers.

Best Time to Visit Los Sueños: Month-by-Month Guide

There’s no bad month to visit Los Sueños. But there’s definitely a best month for what you’re after.

If you’re chasing sailfish, January through April is your window. If you want empty beaches and half-price rates, September and October are your answer. If you’re a surfer, the green season swells from May through October are when Playa Hermosa earns its reputation. And if you’re bringing the whole family and want nothing but sunny afternoons by the pool, dry season delivers.

This guide breaks down Los Sueños weather by month and tells you what to actually expect, not just whether it rains.

Quick Answer: Who Should Go When

Anglers: December through April for sailfish. May through October for blue marlin, tuna, and dorado.

Surfers: May through October, with July and August as the most consistent months at Playa Hermosa.

Families: January through April. Warm, dry, and predictable. Budget extra if you’re going during Semana Santa.

Budget travelers: September and October. You’ll see real rain, but rates drop significantly and the fishing and surfing are still excellent.

First-timers: February or March. The weather is about as reliable as it gets, crowds haven’t peaked like they do during the Christmas break, and everything is open.

Los Sueños Weather: The Basics

Los Sueños sits on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, about 90 minutes from San José. The resort operates in two seasons: dry season (mid-December through April) and green season (May through November).

Dry season means almost no rain, warm temperatures, and blue skies most days. Green season means afternoon showers, usually 2 to 4 hours, then it clears. Mornings are often beautiful even in the wettest months. The ocean stays warm year-round (26–29°C / 79–84°F), so water temperature never drives the decision.

The real question is: what’s the trade-off between weather reliability and what you’re there to do?

Month-by-Month Breakdown

January

Weather: Sunny and warm. One of the best months. Daytime highs around 30°C (86°F), minimal rain, and comfortable evenings.

Fishing: Sailfish season is in full swing. This is peak offshore action out of Los Sueños Marina, with boats reporting high catch rates on Pacific sailfish. Marlin and roosterfish are also active.

Surf: Playa Hermosa (20–25 minutes south) is getting moderate swells. Not the biggest month for surf, but consistent enough for intermediate surfers.

Crowds: High season. The Christmas surge has passed but January stays busy. Book accommodations early.

Pricing: Peak season rates. Expect higher rental prices and fully booked charter boats on weekends.

Good for: Anglers, families, anyone who wants reliable sunshine.

February

Weather: Arguably the best month in Los Sueños. Dry, sunny, and slightly less humid than March or April. Temperatures hover around 30°C.

Fishing: Still excellent for sailfish. February is when one of the legs of the Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown takes place. The marina gets lively.

Surf: Similar to January. Small to moderate, best for beginners or those who want to learn.

Crowds: Busy but not chaotic. No major Costa Rican holidays this month.

Pricing: High season, but slightly more manageable than December or Easter week.

Good for: First-timers, families, couples. The safest bet if you want good weather and don’t want to battle holiday crowds.

March

Weather: Still dry, but starting to feel warmer and slightly more humid toward the end of the month.

Fishing: Sailfish numbers remain strong. By late March, some dorado (mahi-mahi) start showing up along the debris lines offshore.

Surf: Swells start picking up slightly as the season transitions.

Crowds: Watch for Semana Santa (Holy Week/Easter). When it falls in late March, Los Sueños fills up fast. It’s one of the biggest domestic holiday weeks in Costa Rica. Prices spike and the marina gets extremely busy.

Pricing: Variable. Regular March weeks are normal high season. Semana Santa week is the most expensive period of the year.

Good for: Anglers (great sailfish), families who plan ahead. Just check the Easter calendar before booking.

April

Weather: The end of dry season. Still mostly sunny but you’ll start getting the occasional afternoon shower by late April. Humidity rises.

Fishing: Sailfish season winds down. Transitional month offshore: late sailfish, early dorado, roosterfish nearshore stay active.

Surf: Swells start building as the Pacific pattern shifts. Good month for more experienced surfers.

Crowds: Semana Santa can fall in early April. After the holiday, crowds drop noticeably.

Pricing: Post-Easter, rates come down. Late April can be a decent value window with still-good weather.

Good for: Budget-conscious travelers willing to accept a little weather uncertainty, surfers looking for improving conditions.

May

Weather: Green season begins. Morning skies are often clear, but afternoon showers become regular. Typically 2–4 hours of rain, then it clears. The landscape turns intensely green.

Fishing: Dorado numbers pick up. Blue marlin start appearing. Yellowfin tuna shows up with schools following spinner dolphins. Good variety offshore.

Surf: Swells arrive in earnest. Playa Hermosa starts delivering the powerful beach breaks it’s known for. Not a beginner month.

Crowds: Drop significantly. You’ll have the resort more to yourself.

Pricing: Green season rates kick in, typically 20–40% lower than dry season highs.

Good for: Experienced surfers, anglers after variety, anyone who wants a quieter experience.

June

Weather: Green season in full effect. Mornings are often beautiful. Rain usually arrives mid-afternoon. Evenings are warm.

Fishing: One of the better months for blue marlin and tuna. Dorado is strong. Charter boats are easier to book on short notice.

Surf: Consistent and building. Regular swells make Playa Hermosa one of the best surf spots on the Central Pacific coast during this period.

Crowds: Light. One of the quieter months at the resort.

Pricing: Green season rates. Good value across the board.

Good for: Surfers, anglers after offshore variety, travelers who want space and better pricing.

July

Weather: Something interesting happens in July: a brief dry spell called the veranillo (little dry season) usually arrives mid-month, giving you 2–3 weeks of drier, sunnier conditions. It doesn’t always show up exactly on schedule, but most years it’s real.

Fishing: Tuna fishing peaks. Yellowfin schools chase baitfish near the surface. Fast, exciting fishing. Blue marlin also strong.

Surf: The biggest, most consistent swells of the year. Playa Hermosa holds powerful beach break that draws Costa Rica’s top surfers. Not for beginners, but serious surfers specifically plan trips around July.

Crowds: Moderate. The veranillo draws more visitors and some domestic families during school vacation.

Pricing: Slightly higher than June due to domestic demand, but still below dry season peaks.

Good for: Surfers (the best month), anglers after tuna and marlin, travelers who can handle some rain in exchange for excellent ocean conditions.

August

Weather: Back to regular green season pattern: morning sun, afternoon rain. Warm and humid.

Fishing: Still strong offshore. Tuna, marlin, wahoo, and dorado all active. One of the better all-around months for variety.

Surf: Excellent. Consistent swells continue. Playa Hermosa is still breaking well.

Crowds: Light to moderate. Some US and European visitors plan around this month.

Pricing: Green season rates.

Good for: Surfers, offshore anglers, experienced travelers comfortable with rainy season patterns.

September

Weather: Typically the wettest month. Rain can be heavy and sustained. That said, mornings are often clear, and the rain rarely lasts all day.

Fishing: Good fishing if you can get out. Dorado stays strong, wahoo is active, and blue marlin is around. Offshore trips do get canceled more often this month due to weather.

Surf: Big, powerful swells. For serious surfers, September can be extraordinary. For casual visitors, the conditions can feel overwhelming.

Crowds: The quietest month at Los Sueños. The resort is calm.

Pricing: The lowest rates of the year. Significant savings on rentals and charters.

Good for: Experienced surfers, budget travelers who know what they’re signing up for. Not ideal for families with young kids or anyone expecting reliable beach weather.

October

Weather: Still rainy, but often slightly better than September. October can surprise you with stretches of good weather.

Fishing: Roosterfish nearshore stay active. Offshore variety is solid. As the season transitions, more species start appearing.

Surf: Still big. Consistent swells, good conditions for experienced surfers.

Crowds: Very light. One of the best months to have the place to yourself.

Pricing: Low season rates continue.

Good for: Experienced surfers, anglers who want a deal, anyone who wants Los Sueños without the crowds.

November

Weather: The rainy season winds down. Rain becomes less frequent and less intense as the month progresses. By late November it feels transitional. You can feel the dry season coming.

Fishing: Sailfish start appearing offshore again. Early dry-season billfish is one of November’s surprises. Dorado still around.

Surf: Swells start to back off as Pacific patterns shift.

Crowds: Starting to pick up in late November as US Thanksgiving travelers and early holiday visitors arrive.

Pricing: Green season rates early in the month, trending toward high season by month’s end. Good value in early November.

Good for: Anglers (early sailfish + remaining variety), budget-conscious travelers who want to beat the high-season rush.

December

Weather: Dry season returns. By mid-December, conditions are excellent: sunny, warm, and consistent. Early December can still see some residual showers.

Fishing: Sailfish season kicks off. December often produces some of the highest catch rates of the year as the fish arrive in big numbers.

Surf: Returns to smaller, calmer conditions more suitable for beginners.

Crowds: The Christmas and New Year’s period is the single busiest stretch of the year. Book everything months in advance if you’re visiting late December.

Pricing: Peak of the year around Christmas and New Year’s. Early December, before the holiday rush, is a solid window with good weather and slightly lower rates.

Good for: Anglers (sailfish season starts), families (dry weather, school holidays), anyone who plans well in advance.

Fishing at Los Sueños: Season Summary

Los Sueños Marina is one of the premier sportfishing bases in Central America, and the fishing calendar drives a lot of trip planning decisions.

Sailfish: December through April is the core season. January through March typically produces the highest numbers. The Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown tournament runs multiple legs through this period.

Blue Marlin: Expect a strong peak in mid-summer (July–September). Two reliable pushes through the green season, with mid-summer being the stronger one.

Yellowfin Tuna: Peaks June through September. Schools follow spinner dolphins. When you find the dolphins, you find the tuna.

Dorado (Mahi-Mahi): Strong September through December, with a secondary run in April through June. Debris lines from seasonal rains concentrate the fish.

Roosterfish: Year-round nearshore. These don’t follow a strict season, but they’re reliable on any given morning close to shore.

For current charter rates and booking logistics, see our Los Sueños fishing charter pricing guide.

Surf Conditions at Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa, 20–25 minutes south of Los Sueños, is one of Costa Rica’s best beach breaks. Playa Hermosa was designated as a World Surfing Reserve in June 2022 — a recognition reserved for the world’s most significant surf ecosystems. The waves are legitimate.

Peak surf season: May through October. Swells from Southern Hemisphere storms push north and create powerful, hollow beach break. July and August are the most consistent months.

Off-season (November through April): Smaller and more manageable. Better for beginners and those learning. Not flat, just not the heavy beach break of green season.

The water is warm year-round, so you won’t need a wetsuit. Playa Hermosa has a strong rip current. Take local advice seriously and don’t paddle out if the conditions feel beyond your level.

Planning Your Trip

The honest version of “best time to visit Los Sueños” depends entirely on what you’re there to do:

For the best weather: February or March. Dry, sunny, and everything is open and running.

For the best fishing: December through April (sailfish), or July/August (tuna and marlin).

For the best surf: July, August, or September.

For the best value: September and October. Or early November before the holiday season creeps in.

Whatever month you choose, the basics stay the same: the marina is active, the water is warm, and the resort infrastructure at Los Sueños makes for a smooth trip. For help planning activities and excursions around your timing, check out our Los Sueños tours and activities guide.

If you’re looking for a rental property and want help timing your stay, our team can put together recommendations based on your priorities.

Last updated: March 2026