Is the weather good in Costa Rica in January 2026?
For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Costa Rica during January have been around +27°C.
In Costa Rica the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +27°C in San Jose to +24°C in San Jose. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in January
- rainiest? San Jose, with an average of 4 mm of rain and humidity of 70%;
- warmest? San Jose, with daytime temperatures averaging +24°C;
- windiest? San Jose, with an average of 4 m/s;
- coolest? San Jose, with daytime temperatures averaging +24°C;
How good is the weather in Costa Rica in January?
How warm is it in Costa Rica during January?
This is how hot it usually is in January
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +27°C;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: +19°C;
- Highest monthly temperature: +27°C;
- Lowest monthly temperature: +19°C;
Monthly temperatures:
- Warmest: April with an average +30°C during the day;
- Coldest: January with an average +27°C of the day;
- Hottest month in hottest city: March in San Jose;
- Coldest month in coolest city: January in San Jose;
Can you swim in Costa Rica in January?
Winds in Costa Rica during January
January tends to offer light winds averaging 4 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average wind speed: San Jose with 3 m/s;
- Lowest average wind speed: San Jose with 3 m/s;
- Windiest day of the month: San Jose with 5 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: San Jose with 4 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in Costa Rica in January
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average rainfall: San Jose with 136 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: San Jose with 136 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: San Jose with 28 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: San Jose with 28 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: San Jose with 90%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: San Jose with 90%;
- Highest average humidity: San Jose with 70%;
- Lowest average humidity: San Jose with 70%;
Tips for traveling to Costa Rica in January
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Costa Rica? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Costa Rica based on the weather that January is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
Pack right for January
- For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
- Warm - neither hot nor cool, are probably the most comfortable when you think of sunbathing. Shorts, shorter skirts or dresses, tank tops and t-shirts are the basics here. If you're going to a seaside resort, don't forget your swimwear and maybe even a snorkel, mask and flippers.
- Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
- High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
What can you do outside when it's warm in Costa Rica?
Is January a good time to visit Costa Rica?
Monthly weather in Costa Rica
Source of the data
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Costa Rica, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.
