January weather forecast
Costa Rica

January in Costa Rica ushers in the new year with the continuation of the dry season, creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities and wildlife exploration. This month typically experiences the lowest temperatures of the year, although "low" in Costa Rica is quite warm by global standards. Temperatures usually range from 17.2°C (63°F) in the highlands to 27.2°C (81°F) in the coastal lowlands. The Pacific coast, in particular, basks in warmer conditions, attracting numerous beachgoers and surfers.

In contrast to the warmer coastal areas, the central highland regions, including San Jose and the Cordillera Central, experience slightly cooler weather with average temperatures around 20°C (68°F). These cooler temperatures provide a comfortable climate for exploring the region's coffee plantations, cloud forests, and national parks.

January stands out as it marks a shift from the cooler temperatures experienced in December. Despite being part of the dry season, it sees marginally more rainfall than December. However, this rainfall does not typically disrupt travel plans, as it mainly occurs in the late afternoon or overnight.

The Caribbean coast, unlike the rest of the country, maintains a more consistent rainfall pattern throughout the year. Even so, in January, the region experiences a slight dip in precipitation compared to the wetter months of the year.

As January progresses, it provides a gentle transition towards the slightly warmer and drier conditions typical of February. This makes January a particularly attractive time for visitors seeking to enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica under more temperate and less rainy conditions.

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• San José - January »
  The months with the lowest UV index are January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 5. In San José during January, the rain falls for 14.3 days and regularly aggregates up to 32mm (1.26") of precipitation.
• Limon - January »
  On the last day of January, in Limon sunrise is at 05:54 and sunset at 17:36 CST. Limon witnesses its lowest temperatures during January and December, when the average high-temperature reaches 29°C (84.2°F).
• Alajuela - January »
  On the first day of January in Alajuela sunrise is at 05:55 and sunset at 17:27. In Alajuela in January, it is raining for 14.8 days, with typically 32mm (1.26") of accumulated precipitation.
• Puntarenas - January »
  In Puntarenas during January, the rain falls for 1.8 days and regularly aggregates up to 6mm (0.24") of precipitation. On the first day of January in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, sunrise is at 05:56 and sunset at 17:29.
• Liberia - January »
  January and October, with an average of 7.6h of sunshine, are months with the least sunshine in Liberia, Costa Rica. The months with the highest UV index in Liberia, Costa Rica, are January through October and December, with an average maximum UV index of 7.
• Guadalupe - January »
  January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 6, are months with the highest UV index in Guadalupe, Costa Rica. January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 6, are months with the lowest UV index in Guadalupe, Costa Rica.
• San Francisco - January »
  January through April, June, July, September, October and December, with an average maximum UV index of 6, are months with the highest UV index in San Francisco. January through April, June, July, September, October and December, with an average maximum UV index of 6, are months with the highest UV index in San Francisco.
• San Isidro - January »
  January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 5, are months with the highest UV index in San Isidro, Costa Rica. The months with the highest UV index in San Isidro are January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 5.
• Quesada - January »
  In Quesada in January, it is raining for 14.3 days, with typically 32mm (1.26") of accumulated precipitation. The months with the lowest UV index in Quesada are January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 5.
• San Vicente - January »
  In San Vicente, Costa Rica, in January, during 11.3 rainfall days, 21mm (0.83") of precipitation is typically accumulated. In January, the average heat index, which takes the relative humidity and factors it into the air temperature reading, is evaluated at 30°C (86°F).
• San Rafael - January »
  On the first day of January in San Rafael sunrise is at 05:53 and sunset at 17:26. On the first day of January in San Rafael sunrise is at 05:53 and sunset at 17:26.
• San Diego - January »
  January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 5, are months with the lowest UV index in San Diego, Costa Rica. The months with the highest UV index in San Diego, Costa Rica, are January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 5.