San José, Costa Rica: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
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Traveling to San José, Costa Rica? If you're planning to go to San José, this article contains some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to San José
- Important essentials for San José
- Activities for San José
- San José in January: weather and what to pack
- San José in February: weather and what to pack
- San José in March: weather and what to pack
- San José in April: weather and what to pack
- San José in May: weather and what to pack
- San José in June: weather and what to pack
- San José in July: weather and what to pack
- San José in August: weather and what to pack
- San José in September: weather and what to pack
- San José in October: weather and what to pack
- San José in November: weather and what to pack
- San José in December: weather and what to pack

About your travel guide
Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.
When to go to San José, Costa Rica
Based on the climate and weather in San José, the best time to go is March. See below for details.
Important essentials for San José, Costa Rica
Here are some general tips on what to wear in San José, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022
-
A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards can get worn. An unreadable vaccination card can cause severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps stop that.
-
Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
-
N95 masks to use in crowded airports
These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID-19 protection available.
-
Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks aren't sold for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
-
Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is an easy-to-carry TSA-friendly option.
Travel insurance
If you or a companion get COVID-19, your amazing trip can be ruined. Good travel insurance can help. See plans
General health necessities
Virus/bacteria filtering water bottle
Some rural areas may have potentially unsafe tap water, so it's useful to take a contaminant filtering water bottle.
-
Travel first aid kit
This one is a good option.
-
Emergency motion sickness relief
Don't forget these
-
Money/passport pouch
Pickpocketing is an issue here, so wear a money pouch.
-
Luggage protection
Theft can be a problem, so lock your luggage. We recommend this lock.
-
For families with young children
-
Plug adapter
A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. This one is sufficent for most countries, but check with your hotel.
-
Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
-
Voice and data SIM card
A SIM card that works in San José. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.
-
Airplane or car necessities
What to wear/what to pack for San José, Costa Rica by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
January in San José is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Light skirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Extra socks
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
February
February here is warm and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light skirts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
March
March in San José is warm and dry with little rain. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light skirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Extra socks
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
April
April in San José is a perfect temperature. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Extra socks
-
Bug repellent
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain coat to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are a lifesaver in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a perfect choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags remain dry. We suggest:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
May
May in San José is warm. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Light skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sandals
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Extra socks
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
June
June in San José is warm and somewhat rainy. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light skirts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Extra socks
-
Sandals
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain coat to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We use these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants are vital in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a great choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags remain dry. We like:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
July
In July, San José is a perfect temperature and somewhat rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) range. At night, lows are in the low 60s F (mid 10s C). This is also a rainy time for San José, with several of the days of the month having rain.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light skirts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain coat to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These can be essential in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings don't get wet. We recommend:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
August
If you vacation in San José during August, you will probably see that it is a perfect temperature and somewhat rainy. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 60s F (mid 10s C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light skirts
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Bug repellent
-
Sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants will be a lifesaver in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a great choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases don't get wet. We like:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
September
If you are traveling to San José in September, you will notice that it is warm and very rainy. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light skirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Extra socks
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain coat to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These can be essential in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a perfect choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things remain dry. We like:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
October
October here is a perfect temperature and very rainy. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Light skirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain poncho to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We use rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These will be essential in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a perfect choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags remain dry. We suggest:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
November
If you vacation in San José during November, you will probably see that it is warm. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 50s F (mid 10s C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain a bit less than half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light skirts
-
Sandals
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Extra socks
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
-
A rain poncho to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We use rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are a lifesaver in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is a great one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags remain dry. We recommend:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
December
December for San José is a perfect temperature. Temperatures average in the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Light skirts
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Beach necessities
If you're going to the beach:
If you go to the Museo de Oro Precolombino, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
Activities for San José, Costa Rica
Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for San José.
Check out our guides for these other locations: Wangen im Allgäu, Germany, Teófilo Otoni, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Georgian Bay Islands National Park, Canada, Hikone, Japan, Volta Delta, Burkina Faso, Krka National Park, Croatia, Fira, Greece, Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico, United States of America, San Ignacio de Velasco, Bolivia, Cedar Crest, New Mexico, United States of America, and Sevastopol, Russia.