Ask ten travelers about the Costa Rica rainy season, and most will move their trip to avoid it. Ask a local guide, and you may hear the opposite. The season many visitors skip, roughly May through November, is the one people who live here quietly prefer.
Here is the short version. Costa Rica’s rainy season does not mean all-day rain. In La Fortuna, at the base of Arenal Volcano, mornings usually stay bright, and the rain tends to arrive in the afternoon. The rainforest is at its fullest, the waterfalls run high, and the trails are far less crowded.
This guide uses La Fortuna as the case study for the whole country. By the end, you will know when the rain falls, how much you can save, what September through November feels like on the ground, and whether a green-season tour is worth booking.
When Is the Costa Rica Rainy Season, and What Is La Fortuna's Weather Like?
Think about this: you are not trading rain for sun. You are trading afternoons for mornings, and getting a greener forest in the exchange.
Costa Rica has two seasons, the dry season (December to April) and the green, or rainy, season (May to November). September and October are the wettest months, and the rain usually eases through November.
The pattern matters more than the label. La Fortuna weather in the green season tends to follow a daily rhythm: clear, sunny mornings, then clouds building in the early afternoon. Showers often roll in between 2 and 5 p.m., and many clear by evening.
Good to know: Arenal Volcano hides behind clouds often, in any season. Your best chance at a clear view is early morning, before roughly 10 a.m.
The Money Part: How Much Cheaper Is Low Season?
For price-sensitive travelers, this is often the deciding factor. The green season is low season, and low season means lower rates.
Lodging in and around La Fortuna commonly runs well below dry-season peaks, with savings often cited in the range of 20 to 40 percent. The exact number depends on the property, the dates, and how early you book.
In fact, the value is not limited to rooms. September and October are widely reported as the cheapest stretch of the year to travel in Costa Rica, from small guesthouses to tours.
Visiting Costa Rica in September (and October and November)
If these are your only travel months, here is what to expect.
September is the wettest month on the Pacific side, and also the greenest. Waterfalls are at their strongest, the forest is lush, and prices are at their lowest. Mornings are still frequently clear.
October continues the pattern, with high humidity and dramatic afternoon skies. It is a favorite among travelers who care more about nature than about a perfect tan.
Finally, November is the turning point. Afternoon showers start to thin out, and by late November La Fortuna begins sliding toward drier days. You get green landscapes, easing rain, and shoulder-season value.
Locals lean into these months for a reason: fewer crowds, lower costs, and a rainforest that finally looks the way you pictured it.
What the Green Season Does to the Rainforest
The name green season is not marketing. It is a description.
When the rain returns, the rainforest around La Fortuna fills out. Rivers rise, and waterfalls that trickle in April run full and loud. The canopy deepens to a color the dry months never reach.
Meanwhile, wildlife gets busy. Frogs, birds, and insects respond to the moisture, so the forest feels louder and more active. Trails that are packed in high season stay calm and open, and you actually hear the place.
For anyone who came to Costa Rica for nature rather than for beach weather, this is the season that delivers it.
A Green-Season Morning on the Trail
Here’s how a green-season morning runs with us.
It starts easy at reception, no rush. While your group gathers, there’s cornhole and darts, lockers for your things, and restrooms to change. Then the guides bring everyone in for the briefing, which sets the tone in a sentence: this is an exploration tour. You’re not here to race the rainforest. You’re here to see it.
That shows up at the practice run. Even experienced riders start from zero, so the whole group rolls out on the same fundamentals, and everyone passes a short driving test before we leave. (More on how we handle safety on the trail.)
Some mornings the sky sits low and gray, and Arenal hides completely. Go anyway. That’s the first lesson of green season: the day doesn’t need the volcano to be worth it. With the peak out of frame, you notice everything around it—pasture greens layered over rainforest greens, mist drifting across the fields.
The stops carry the morning. A Maleku village, where you meet one of Costa Rica’s original peoples—the country’s smallest Indigenous group, based in the Guatuso reserve north of La Fortuna, still keeping their language alive. A river stop with fresh fruit and a waterfall view, swim optional. Then the climb to the old lava flow, up to dark rock the volcano put there when it roared back to life in 1968 after centuries of silence. Standing on stone that used to be fire, with the rainforest closing back in, is the part that stays with you.
Then the ride back is pure fun, with a few splashy stretches the season leaves behind.
Two things worth knowing: you don’t have to drive to live this—riding as a passenger is a complete experience on its own. And green season brings a comfortable group, more local travelers than high season, enough for good energy, never a crowd.
Planning a second day? Locals will point you to the jet ski on Lake Arenal.
Will It Rain on My Tour?
Short answer: maybe, and that is fine. Tours still run in the green season. When rain moves in, guides adjust the route and the pace to keep the group safe.
Still, morning is the ideal window. It lines up with the clear part of the day and gives you the best odds of a view before the clouds build. Rain gear is provided, and a passing shower on the trail is part of the day, not a problem.
For families and travelers who want the steadiest ride, the covered Side-by-Side is the pick. Everyone sits together, buckled in, inside a roll cage, so it suits mixed groups and travelers with limited mobility.
One of our guests, J.W., put it plainly in his review:
The rain wasn’t a bad thing; it really added to the overall experience.
Indeed, that matches what we see all season. The weather shapes the day; it rarely ruins it.
Low-Season Playbook (September to November Tips)
A few things make a green-season trip smoother:
- Go in the morning. Book early departures to catch clear skies and the best volcano odds.
- Pack a light rain layer. A poncho or a quick-dry jacket handles the afternoon showers.
- Wear closed-toe shoes. There is usually some walking, and trails can be slick after rain.
- Book the longer option. More time on the trail means more stops, more forest, and more margin around the weather.
- Compare current prices. Green-season rates move, so check your exact dates for the best value.
On footwear, a guest named Susel R. said it best in her review:
Be prepared to do some hiking! It’s recommended to wear closed toe shoes specially if it’s still during rainy season.
And on the longer tours, as our guest J.W. advised: “book the longest ride you can get.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for the right traveler. September is the wettest month, but also the greenest and the cheapest. Mornings are often clear, waterfalls are full, and crowds are thin. If you want nature over guaranteed sun, it is a strong choice.
Yes. Green-season tours run, with routes and pacing adjusted for conditions. Rain gear is provided, and mornings usually offer the driest window. Our guides know how to work around the weather safely.
Green-season lodging around La Fortuna commonly runs lower than dry-season peaks, often cited in the range of 20 to 40 percent. Actual savings vary by property and dates, so compare current rates for your trip.
Yes. We welcome children from age 3 as passengers, seated up front and buckled into our six-seater Side-by-Side. Teens can drive their own ATV from age 16 with a valid license. For a full breakdown by age, see our family guide by age. As our guest J.W. shared: “Kids aged 11, 15, and 17 all said this was their favorite excursion.”
Green Season Is La Fortuna's Quiet Advantage
The season most travelers avoid is the one locals lean into: greener forest, fuller waterfalls, quieter trails, and better value from September through November. The rain does not cancel the day. With the right timing and a morning start, it makes the day.
If you are planning a green-season trip to La Fortuna, tell us your travel dates and what your group is after. We will help you build the day that fits, and point you to the right tour. Start with our La Fortuna tour guide, and reach out whenever you are ready.
Come get dirty with us.