The climate of Jaco
Situated on the Pacific coast of
Costa Rica,
Jaco experiences a tropical wet and dry climate according to the Köppen climate classification. Here, the weather can be characterized by high temperatures and significant rainfall that comes in seasonal patterns.
Throughout the year, there is a clear warming trend in the daytime temperatures, reaching a high of 30.4°C (86.7°F) in the month of
April and dipping to a minimum of 28.1°C (82.6°F) in
October. Night temperatures too follow a similar pattern - progressively rising from 24.5°C (76.1°F) in
January to a peak of 26.2°C (79.2°F) in
May, and gradually cooling down to 24.6°C (76.3°F) by
December.
Humidity predominantly remains high, oscillating between 68% in
February and
March to a high of 80% seen in
June and October. Precipitation in Jaco is substantial, with more than 1500mm (59.06") falling annually. The wettest months are typically seen between May and October. The rainfall is at its peak in October, reaching as much as 383mm (15.08"). Conversely, February witnesses the least rainfall, at just 11mm (0.43").
Taking into account hours of sunshine reveals that the longest days occur between May and
July with an average daylight hours of about 12.7 hours. June seems to be the sunniest month with a maximum of 10.1 hours while the least sunshine, averaging at 8.1 hours, is observed during October.
Overall, the climate of Jaco shows considerable variations in several parameters, creating a weather mosaic that ranges from dry and sweltering to wet and steamy.
The best time to visit Jaco
Keeping in mind the rainfall and temperature patterns, the ideal period to visit
Jaco falls between
December and
April. During these months, rainfall is at its minimal, while the temperatures are moderately high, creating comfortable conditions for outdoor activities.
The worst time to visit Jaco
Conversely, the period from
May to
October does not afford the best weather conditions for a visit. The frequency of heavy rains and high humidity levels give these months a propensity for cloudy and saturated conditions, partially blotting out the sunlight and making outdoor excursions less pleasant.
Spring weather in Jaco
Spring weather in
Jaco, which occurs from
March to
May, is characterized by increasing temperatures. These months witness highs nearing 30°C (86°F) and lows in the mid-20s°C. Well defined rainfall patterns emerge, transitioning from a drier March to a notably wet May.
Summer weather in Jaco
The summer months are the wettest in
Jaco, with rainfall ranging from 161mm (6.34") in
June to a whopping 383mm (15.08") in
October. While the temperature continues to hover around 30°C (86°F) in the early summer, it experiences a slight fall in the latter part of the season. Humidity too peaks during these months, making the weather intensely moist and tropical.
Autumn weather in Jaco
During the autumn months from
September to
November,
Jaco continues to experience heavy rainfall. Simultaneously, the temperature begins its slow descent from highs of 28.8°C (83.8°F) in September to 28.3°C (82.9°F) in November, and the total daylight hours begin to shorten.
Winter weather in Jaco
Winter in
Jaco is marked by more comfortable weather conditions. Between
December and
February, temperatures show a marginal downward trend, reaching a minimum of 29.5°C (85.1°F) in February. Rainfall is much less significant during these months, averaging at about 20mm (0.79") per month. A return to increased hours of sunshine renders a cheerful ambiance to the winter season.
Weather in January
January sees a transition period in
Jaco,
Costa Rica, as the dry season starts to settle. Temperatures remain steady, ranging from 24.5°C (76.1°F) to 29.5°C (85.1°F), providing warmth without it being stifling. The relative humidity is at 70%, contributing to an overall comfortable climate, making January a welcoming month for outdoor activities.
Weather in January » Weather in February
As with
January,
February continues the dry season run in
Jaco,
Costa Rica boasting an increase in sunshine hours. The average rainfall drops to 11mm (0.43"), marking a dryer period compared to the previous month. Visitors can expect lower cloud coverage, resulting in bright and sun-filled days.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March is considered one of the driest months in
Jaco,
Costa Rica, with tourists flocking to take advantage of the favourable weather conditions. The month witnesses a slight increase in temperatures, maintaining its dry season characteristics with minimal rainfall.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
The weather in
Jaco,
Costa Rica, takes a turn in
April with an incredible spike in rainfall to 68mm (2.68") from 17mm (0.67") in
March. Despite this shift, temperatures continue to rise steadily, touching the warmest point of the year.
Weather in April »Weather in May
In
Jaco,
Costa Rica,
May marks the beginning of the rainy season. The average rainfall sees a significant jump to 201mm (7.91"), signalling the start of the wet period. Despite high rainfall, it is counterbalanced by long hours of daylight.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June continues the rainy season trend in
Jaco,
Costa Rica, with high humidity and rainfall becoming the norm. Nevertheless, sunlight hours remain high, ensuring bright days and vibrant sunsets in between the showers. The sea remains warm and inviting for those willing to venture outdoors.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July in
Jaco,
Costa Rica witnesses a plateauing of weather conditions, with temperatures, rainfall and humidity all seeing minor variations. The weather maintains a wet season pattern, often characterized by morning sunshine followed by afternoon rains.
Weather in July » Weather in August
In
Jaco,
Costa Rica,
August serves as a continuation of the wet season, offering similar weather patterns to
July. Impressively, sea temperatures remain consistently warm and inviting throughout the month. Predominant weather features include high humidity and significant rainfall, although followed by periods of bright sunshine.
Weather in August »Weather in September
September in
Jaco,
Costa Rica, is characterised by noticeable rainfall, with 383mm (15.08"), an impressive rise from 131mm (5.16") in
August, marking it as the wettest month. Despite this, temperatures maintain a warm and inviting climate.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
In
Jaco,
Costa Rica,
October follows
September's trend with high rainfall and humidity affecting the overall weather pattern. Despite this, there are still plenty of hours of sunshine, illuminated by the vibrant flora brought about by the rains.
Weather in October »Weather in November
November sees a downward trend in rainfall, from 383mm (15.08") in
October to 130mm (5.12"), signifying the looming end of the rainy season in
Jaco,
Costa Rica. Despite this, temperatures hold steady, offering warm and comfortable weather.
Weather in November » Weather in December
December in
Jaco,
Costa Rica, signals the arrival of the much-awaited dry season. The month witnesses a significant decrease in rainfall to 41mm (1.61"), a stark contrast to the preceding wet months. Longer sunlight hours, decreased cloud cover, and lower humidity present an attractive weather combination for visitors.
Weather in December »