AI-generatedPuntarenas at a glance
- Best time
- Dec – Mar
- Warmest month
- Mar · 35°
- Warmest sea
- Apr · 29.4°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,220 h
- Rain a year
- 2,473 mm
- Climate
- Tropical
- Time zone
- UTC−6
- Elevation
- 1 m
Climate in Puntarenas
Puntarenas has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. March is the warmest month with average highs of 35 °C, while October is the coolest at 30 °C. With around 2,220 hours of sunshine a year, Puntarenas is sunny; February is the sunniest month with 8.7 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Puntarenas
The best time to visit Puntarenas is from December to March. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from January to March. From February to April it can get very hot, with highs of up to 35 °C. The rainy season is from May to October; the wettest month is October with 413 mm.
Puntarenas through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Puntarenas in the dry season
Nov – Apr
Good
- 30–35 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 7.5 h of sun a day
- 74 rainy days in all
Puntarenas in the rainy season
May – Oct
Good
- 30–32 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 4.7 h of sun a day
- 174 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Jan – Mar
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
No month
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Peak heat
Feb – Apr
Highs of 33 °C or more
Rainy months
May – Oct
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Puntarenas for you.
Your best months: December – February
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: December – March
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 26°
- Midday, 13:00: about 30°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 29°
- Evening, 20:00: about 25°
- Night, 23:00: about 24°
05:2717:23
Warm enough for a T-shirt in the evening.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 05:14–05:55 · evening 16:54–17:36
- Blue hour
- Morning 05:06–05:14 · evening 17:36–17:44
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Puntarenas compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs stay at about 30° from start to end. The sea cools from 29° to 28°. The days get 0.3 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 30° | 30° |
| Night-time low | 22° | 22° |
| Sea | 29° | 28° |
| Daylight | 12.0 h | 11.8 h |
What is the weather like in Puntarenas in October?
In October, Puntarenas is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 28.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 4.0 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 30 days, totalling 413 mm. On about 18 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 55 min05:27 – 17:23
- UV index
- 12 · extremeclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 31 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 13 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 87 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 18 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC−6offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %100 %
- Seaweight 25 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %17 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %0 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
- Water bottle – drink plenty
- Insect repellent
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Puntarenas
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
January has the better holiday weather in Puntarenas: score 86 against 63. In January, days are 3 °C warmer than in October. The sea is about as warm in both months. January has 23 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 4 hours longer a day in January.
| Month | October | January |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 63 | 86better |
| Daytime high | 30° | 33° |
| Night-time low | 22° | 21° |
| Sea | 28.3° | 28.7° |
| Sunshine | 4.0 h | 8.3 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 30 | 7better |
| Rainfall | 413 mm | 20 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 31 | 31 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Puntarenas month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
86January33° · Sea 29° · 8.3 h
In January, Puntarenas is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 28.7 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.3 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 20 mm. On about 30 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in January83February34° · Sea 29° · 8.7 h
In February, Puntarenas is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 28.9 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.7 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 15 mm in total. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is an excellent month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in February75March35° · Sea 29° · 8.6 h
In March, Puntarenas is very hot: daytime highs average 35 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 29.3 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 8.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 22 mm. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in March63April34° · Sea 29° · 7.6 h
In April, Puntarenas is very hot: daytime highs average 34 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 29.4 °C – almost as warm as a bath. The sun shines for around 7.6 hours a day. It rains often – on about 18 days, adding up to 80 mm. The thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more every day. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in April64May32° · Sea 29° · 5.3 h
In May, Puntarenas is hot: daytime highs average 32 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 29.3 °C – almost as warm as a bath. Expect around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 28 days, totalling 332 mm. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in May66June31° · Sea 29° · 4.8 h
In June, Puntarenas is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 29.0 °C – almost as warm as a bath. Expect around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 29 days, totalling 327 mm. On about 26 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in June65July31° · Sea 29° · 4.9 h
In July, Puntarenas is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 29.0 °C – almost as warm as a bath. Expect around 4.9 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 29 days, totalling 309 mm. On about 27 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in July66August31° · Sea 29° · 4.8 h
In August, Puntarenas is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 29.1 °C – almost as warm as a bath. Expect around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 30 days, totalling 332 mm. On about 27 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in August64September31° · Sea 29° · 4.3 h
In September, Puntarenas is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 28.9 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 4.3 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 29 days, totalling 324 mm. On about 23 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in September63October30° · Sea 28° · 4.0 h
In October, Puntarenas is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 28.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 4.0 hours of sunshine a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 30 days, totalling 413 mm. On about 18 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in October66November30° · Sea 28° · 4.9 h
In November, Puntarenas is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 27.9 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. Expect around 4.9 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 25 days, adding up to 236 mm. On about 20 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in November78December31° · Sea 28° · 7.0 h
In December, Puntarenas is hot: daytime highs average 31 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 28.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 62 mm in total. On about 27 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is a good month for a holiday in Puntarenas.
Puntarenas in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Puntarenas
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Warm 20–24°
- muggy month (15+ muggy days)
WarmOctober: nights around 22°. Tropical nights: a fan or air conditioning helps. Muggy on about 31 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in January (21°), the warmest in May (23°). Nights stay tropical all year (20 °C and more), so a room with air conditioning or at least a fan pays off. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) all year, on about 362 days a year.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 86 | 33° | 21° | 28.7° | 8.3 h | 7 | 20 |
| FebruaryFeb | 83 | 34° | 22° | 28.9° | 8.7 h | 4 | 15 |
| MarchMar | 75 | 35° | 22° | 29.3° | 8.6 h | 7 | 22 |
| AprilApr | 63 | 34° | 23° | 29.4° | 7.6 h | 18 | 80 |
| MayMay | 64 | 32° | 23° | 29.3° | 5.3 h | 28 | 332 |
| JuneJun | 66 | 31° | 23° | 29.0° | 4.8 h | 29 | 327 |
| JulyJul | 65 | 31° | 23° | 29.0° | 4.9 h | 29 | 309 |
| AugustAug | 66 | 31° | 22° | 29.1° | 4.8 h | 30 | 332 |
| SeptemberSep | 64 | 31° | 22° | 28.9° | 4.3 h | 29 | 324 |
| OctoberOct | 63 | 30° | 22° | 28.3° | 4.0 h | 30 | 413 |
| NovemberNov | 66 | 30° | 22° | 27.9° | 4.9 h | 25 | 236 |
| DecemberDec | 78 | 31° | 21° | 28.3° | 7.0 h | 14 | 62 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
9.98° N, 84.84° W · 1 m · America/Costa_Rica
Sea temperature in Puntarenas
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 27.3 – 29.2 °C
Swimming season: all year
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Puntarenas ranges from 27.9 °C in November to 29.4 °C in April. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in April, while the air already peaks in March. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in April, eight out of ten years were between 28.9 and 30.0 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 28.7° | 27.8° | 29.5° | warm |
| FebruaryFeb | 28.9° | 28.2° | 29.8° | warm |
| MarchMar | 29.3° | 28.8° | 29.8° | very warm |
| AprilApr | 29.4° | 28.9° | 30.0° | very warm |
| MayMay | 29.3° | 28.7° | 30.1° | very warm |
| JuneJun | 29.0° | 28.4° | 29.5° | very warm |
| JulyJul | 29.0° | 28.5° | 29.7° | very warm |
| AugustAug | 29.1° | 28.3° | 30.0° | very warm |
| SeptemberSep | 28.9° | 28.2° | 29.6° | warm |
| OctoberOct | 28.3° | 27.3° | 29.2° | warm |
| NovemberNov | 27.9° | 26.9° | 28.6° | warm |
| DecemberDec | 28.3° | 27.3° | 29.0° | warm |
Sunshine hours in Puntarenas
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 4.0 of 11.9 hours of daylight in Puntarenas, 34 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain in Puntarenas: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Puntarenas has about 30 rainy days with 413 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Puntarenas
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 12 · extremeAvoid the midday sun; SPF 50+, covering clothes, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in April (UV 13).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 10 min
- Fair skin
- about 15 min
- Light brown skin
- about 20 min
- Olive skin
- about 25 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind and clouds in Puntarenas
How breezy and how cloudy Puntarenas is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Puntarenas typically peaks at 13 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 87 % of the sky over Puntarenas: mostly overcast, with about 4.0 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Puntarenas
How often the day gets hot in Puntarenas (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Puntarenas has about 18 hot days, with an average daytime high of 30 °C: hot and muggy. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and evening, drink a lot and take breaks in the cool.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Planning a trip to Puntarenas
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Puntarenas in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Puntarenas has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 82) and its weakest during October half-term (score 63).
- 67
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Good
- 34 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 7.9 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Peak heat
- 64
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 32 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 66
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Good
- 31 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 4.8 h of sun a day
- 29 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 63
October half-term
Oct
Good
- 30 °C by day
- Sea 28 °C
- 4.0 h of sun a day
- 30 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 82
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
ExcellentBest holidays
- 32 °C by day
- Sea 29 °C
- 7.7 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 11 h 5 min
- Distance
- 8,750 km
- Time zone
- UTC−6
- Jet lag
- About 5 days (7 h west)
Rule of thumb for flying west: for a few days before, stay up a little later, and get afternoon and evening light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Compare & alternatives
Puntarenas compared
Put Puntarenas side by side with another destination.
Puntarenas vs San José
In October the holiday weather in Puntarenas and San José is about equally good (score 63 vs 60). During the day San José is 1 °C cooler than Puntarenas. San José gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Puntarenas | San José |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 63 | 60 |
| Daytime high | 30° | 29° |
| Sea | 28° | no sea nearby |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 3 h |
| Rainy days | 30 | 29 |
| Best time | Dec – Mar | Dec – Mar |
Through the year
Costa Rica in October: the best places
In October, Puntarenas ranks 2 of 5 destinations in this country.
All destinations: Costa RicaNear Puntarenas
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Puntarenas
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Puntarenas's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Puntarenas
When is the best time to visit Puntarenas?
The best time to visit Puntarenas is from December to March. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Puntarenas?
The sea temperature in Puntarenas ranges from 27.9 °C in November to 29.4 °C in April. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
Can you swim in Puntarenas in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 28.3 °C – lovely and warm for swimming.
What is the warmest month in Puntarenas?
March is the warmest month, with average highs of 35 °C and nights around 22 °C. October is the coolest month at 30 °C.
When does it rain most in Puntarenas?
The rainy season is from May to October; the wettest month is October with 413 mm. The driest month is February with 15 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Puntarenas get?
Puntarenas gets around 2,220 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is February with 8.7 hours a day; in October there are 4.0 hours a day.
What time zone is Puntarenas in?
Puntarenas is on UTC−6 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Puntarenas?
A nonstop flight from London to Puntarenas takes about 11 h 5 min, for a straight-line distance of about 8,750 km.
Which school holidays are best for Puntarenas?
Puntarenas has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 82) and its weakest during October half-term (score 63). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 67, May half-term 64, summer holidays 66, October half-term 63, Christmas holidays 82.