rainy season Archives

Aug 17, 2019

Myth vs Reality: What Rainy Season in Playa Grande is Really Like

The majority of visitors who come to Playa Grande and the surrounding areas tend to come between December and April. These months are well-known for their cloudless sunny days and dry winds. It rarely rains during this time of the year and nearly every day is a picture-perfect beach day. While these are the most sought-after months to come to Costa Rica, you should not overlook the rainy season.

Downsides of the high season:

1. More people

2. More expensive (flights and accommodations)

3. Hotter day time temperatures

4. Colder water

5. Very windy (especially in January and February)

Myth 1: It rains all the time

The first rain usually happens around the end of April and the green season typically spans until the end of October. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the rainy season is totally rainy! It is not uncommon for days or weeks to go by where there is little to no rainfall between May and November. Sometimes big storms roll through though, which are actually quite spectacular to watch and also provide an excellent excuse to take a nap or read a book.

But, for the most part, during this time of the year, it doesn’t rain all day and every day; especially in Guanacaste, which is the driest province in Costa Rica.

The months of May, June, July, and August are actually my favorite months to be in Costa Rica!

Myth 2: Driving requires a 4×4 vehicle

The roads in and around Playa Grande are good, even during the rainy season. Other remote areas of Costa Rica might require a 4×4 car and can be quite treacherous to navigate during a very rainy bout; but, you don’t have to worry about that in this zone!

Myth 3: Everything is closed

Pretty much everything is open during the rainy season. Some businesses, especially in smaller towns, might close for September and October, but from May to August, you can expect everything that is open during the high season to be ready for your business during the green season. Restaurants, tours, attractions, hotels, and beaches are often less busy during these months compared to the peak season months.

Myth 4: Activities are limited

Unless you are the Wicked Witch of the West, you aren’t going to melt in the rain! The only time activities and tours are delayed or canceled is when there is lightning, which surprisingly doesn’t happen as often as you might think.

Activities like surfing, paddle boarding, sailing, fishing, snorkeling, zip-lining, horseback riding, hiking, white water rafting, mountain biking, and yoga all continue to take place rain or shine. As long as you bring a lightweight rain jacket, a dry bag, shoes with good traction, and a winning attitude, a little rain won’t put a damper on your fun!

Myth 5: It’s not as pretty

In my personal opinion, the green season is the most beautiful season in Costa Rica. It is during this time of the year that you will witness every imaginable shade of green. Life really abounds during the rainy season. Plus, the rainy season is also the rainbow season, and the sunsets are utterly breathtaking.

Don’t let the misconception that the rainy season in Costa Rica is nothing but rain because that is far from reality.

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Jul 24, 2019

Experience One of the Greatest Natural Phenomenon During the Green Season in Costa Rica

While the coastal region of Playa Grande is part of the Las Baulas National Marine Park, which is supposed to be a prime leatherback sea turtle beach, it is very rare that you will actually see any turtles here. Unfortunately, due to offshore longline and net fishing and other negative human impacts, the sea turtles of Playa Grande are nearly non-existent. Measures are being taken to protect the sea turtles if and when they do come ashore to nest, but it is nearly impossible to eliminate the threat they face far offshore and out of the national park’s jurisdiction.

Leatherback sea turtles, the largest of all of the species of sea turtles, are also the most endangered. Costa Rica is home to several other species though, including the most common Olive Ridley sea turtle. During the rainy season months, this sizable species of sea turtle returns to one of two beaches in Guanacaste in massive numbers. The mass arrival of sea turtles is called an arribada.

The most accessible location to witness this incredible phenomenon is on Playa Ostional just to the south before Nosara. Between July and November, once and sometimes twice a month, thousands of mama Olive Ridley sea turtles come ashore between dus and dawn to lay their eggs. The arribadas are coordinated around the new moon when the nights are the darkest and the tides are the smallest.

Ostional is a protected wildlife refuge and it is illegal to be on the beach there during an arribada without a certified guide. However, it is easy to find one once you arrive there or you can make a reservation prior to driving down. You can also have the RipJack Inn concierge set up a tour and transportation for you if you don’t want to drive yourself there, which can be a bit daunting if you aren’t used to driving at night in Costa Rica.

I recommend arriving right before the first break of day, which is usually around 5AM. Night tours are more popular but having the daylight on your side makes the experience even more magical. Seeing thousands of sea turtles crawling up the beach, digging their nests, laying their eggs, and heading back out to sea is an experience unmatched by any other. The turtles that come ashore in Ostional to lay their eggs where once born there themselves.

You can stay up-to-date with the arribadas through the Association of Local Guides in Ostional by following them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GUIASAGLO/

If the timing works out and you are here near a new moon between July and November, don’t miss out on an arribada!

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May 14, 2019

Lightweight Gear Guide for a Green Season Trip to Costa Rica

Green Season in Costa Rica begins in May. With the arrival of this rejuvenating season comes afternoon showers, brilliant rainbows, psychedelic sunsets, and a complete revival of the native plant and animal life. A little rain and humidity won’t put a damper on the amazing activities you can enjoy while you are visiting Costa Rica as long as you come prepared with the proper tropical winter (May through November is considered winter in Costa Rica) gear.

What’s great about the recommended products below is that they are all very lightweight and compact, so you don’t have to worry about weighing down your luggage. If you are going to invest in travel and adventure gear, you are better off paying a little more for a product that is durable and long-lasting, opposed to contributing to the global waste problem of “fast fashion” and cheap throw-away stuff. Don’t worry though; this gear guide contains affordable and resilient gear that will last you for many trips to come to the tropics.

playa-grande-beachfront-hotel-surf-yoga-summer-costa-rica — Thirst quenching rain

Rain jacket

A rain jacket is the perfect multi-purpose piece of clothing that you will be happy to have in Costa Rica, regardless of the season. You will want to bring one that is lightweight though, as it is warm in Costa Rica year round. A rain jacket that can be compressed and folded up is key if you want to pack lightly and keep your day pack small, as well. A good rain jacket will not only keep you dry during those tropical downpours, but it can also protect your skin from the sun and insects, as well as keeping you comfortable when it is windy.

Patagonia Storm Racer or Torrentshell

Columbia Watertight Jacket

Adventure shoes

what-to-pack-costa-rica-rainy-season-playa-grande — It’s all about traction!

If you own the right pair of adventure shoes, you can eliminate the need to bring multiple pairs of shoes for different purposes on your trip to Costa Rica. You want to make sure you bring a shoe that is made with quick-drying material, is cushioned and comfortable, and has good traction.

TropicFeel

Vivobarefoot Ultra

Quick-dry towel

Regular beach towels are bulky and if it’s particularly humid and rainy they might take more than a whole day to dry. Every traveler should own a microfiber towel. These amazing compact towels are super absorbent and fast drying. They can be used as a beach towel, shower towel, sarong, or even a sun and windbreaker.

ECOdept MicroFiber Travel Towel

SYOURSELF MicroFiber Beach Bath Towel

Water-Resistant day pack

beachfront-hotel-playa-grande-costa-rica-yoga-surf-family — Green season magic

When you set out on one of your many adventures while exploring Costa Rica, you will likely want to have a few things handy for your outing. Perhaps you want to bring a camera, phone, dry change of clothes, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and water. A dry-proof, water-resistant, or waterproof day pack is key to keeping all your stuff dry and easily accessible. These two-day packs, in particular, fold down into an easy to pack little pouch.

Outlander Ultralight Water-Resistant Packable Backpack

ELCM Foldable and Packable Waterproof Backpack

Waterproof phone case

While it’s highly recommended that you take a little digital detox while you are in Costa Rica, having your phone with you to take photographs is a good idea. You will want to make sure that you have a protective case for your phone to avoid any damage to your device.

Lifeproof Waterproof Case

JOTO Universal Waterproof Case

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Oct 3, 2018

Rain or Shine: What to do in October in Costa Rica

Historically, October is the rainiest month in Costa Rica. It is also the one month of the year that the RipJack Inn is closed. While the RipJack Inn family is recharging their batteries and spending some much needed quality time with their own families, Costa Rica still has a lot to offer visitors who don’t mind a little rain.

If you find yourself in Costa Rica in October, you can expect at least one daily rainstorm. There is something truly peaceful and awe-inspiring about watching a magnificent storm from the comfort of your vacation home or covered patio though. Not to mention, rainy nights evoke dreamy sleeps. There are days in October where the weather might even be beach day-worthy and uncharacteristically perfect.

And, unless you’re a wicked witch from the west, the rain isn’t going to melt you!

If you need a bit more activity than just storm watching, here are the best things to do in October.

Surf

Swell season doesn’t end in October, and in fact the swells can be quite good this time of the year. The issue of course is the wind and weather fronts. For the patient and persistent surfer though, it is not uncommon to score some post-rain glass off sessions or even early morning surfs that are clean and fun before the afternoon storms roll in.

Spa Day

For locals and visitors alike, the heart of the rainy season is a great time to recharge and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Los Altos de Eros is a boutique hotel and day spa that offers the most extraordinary spa experience in one of the most Zen-inspiring settings.

The day spa package includes three spa treatments followed by a gourmet lunch with wine on a private patio with a hot tub that overlooks the vast tropical dry forest just south of Playa Grande and out to the Pacific Ocean.

Typically during September and October, there is a substantial discount on spa treatments.

October in Playa Grande — Where spa dreams come true

Sea Turtle Arribada

October is a magical month on Playa Ostional (1 hour and 45 minutes south of Playa Grande). The few days leading up to the new moon (October 9th is the new moon), egg-heavy Olive Ridley sea turtles emerge from the ocean in hundreds to thousands strong to lay their eggs. This natural phenomenon is truly sensational!

October in Costa RIca — Olive Ridley sea turtles babies in Playa Ostional

White-Water Rafting

Costa Rica has over a half a dozen rivers that are famous for their white water rapids. The more rain and water in the rivers, the more powerful the rapids are. If you are a true adrenaline-seeker and are looking to hit the rapids hard, October is a great time to do so.

The Pacuare, Naranjo, Reventazon, Savegre, and Sarapiqui River are a few of Costa Rica’s most notorious rivers.

Explore the Caribbean Coast

September and October are historically the driest months of the year on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. This is an excellent time of the year to explore the “other side.” The Caribbean side is home to the famous Tortuguero National Park in the north and the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park in the south.

The water is crystal clear over here, the snorkeling is superb, and the culture is vibrant, inviting, and quite different from the rest of the country. You can even take a Sansa Flight from the Tamarindo Airport through San Jose and over to the other side if you just want to explore this coastline for a few days and then return to Playa Grande.

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Jun 6, 2018

An Essentials Packing Guide for Visiting Playa Grande During the Green Season

The idea of visiting a destination that is almost destined to have rain during your vacation might seem a bit off putting. However, the rainy season, or more colorfully referred to as the green season, is actually a fantastic time to visit Playa Grande, as long as you pack the proper clothes and gear.

The green season typically spans from May to November. This year, the rain was welcomed very early in April though. The rain brings an explosion of life and color to the landscape, including rainbows, fiery sunsets, purple and orange land crabs, the entire spectrum of green, deep turquoise waves, and fireflies. The morning air is often visible in the valleys and fields surrounding Playa Grande, and the evenings can be pleasantly cool after the typical late afternoon showers. Until September and October, it is rare that it will rain all day. To truly enjoy the green season in Costa Rica, it is wise to pack the following essentials.

Green season at the RipJack Inn — Green season magic | © Henner Damke/Shutterstock

Rain jacket

A light weight rain jacket is a must-bring green season item. Not only will you want it when it rains when you are out and about, but it can also serve as a wind breaker and light insulator for those cooler mornings and evenings.

Light weight, quick dry pants

Even during the dry season, a pair or two of light weight “adventure” pants are key for all those exciting excursions. Wearing pants will help protect your legs from mosquitos and other bugs, as well as from plants, the sun, and other potentially harmful elements and factors. You can also find pants that zip off into shorts if you are worried about being too hot.

Long sleeve shirts

Cotton or linen long sleeve shirts are perfect all year around in Costa Rica, but are especially nice during the green season. Like wearing pants, sleeves protect you from mosquitos, gnats, and other insects and the sun. They are also very cozy to wear on a rainy day or post-rain evening.

Green reason views — Thick morning air | © Wayne Silver/Flickr

Shoes with good traction

You will want a good pair of hiking boots, sports sandals, and or water shoes when visiting Costa Rica during the green season. Most activities, outside of surfing, walking on the beach, and yoga, will require you to wear proper footwear. Traversing wet terrain can be dangerous if you aren’t wearing shoes that have a good grip. Plus, you don’t want to be worrying about your feet when you are out enjoying all of the activities and tours you will embark on while in Costa Rica.

A dry bag

A dry bag or at least water-resistant backpack is key to keeping your stuff safe and dry while exploring Costa Rica during the green season. To save space, you can buy a day pack that rolls up into the size of your palm to use on your daily adventures.

Insect repellent

Unfortunately, with the rain comes more mosquitos. Some mosquitos in Costa Rica do carry viruses like dengue, so it is very important that you always wear insect repellent, especially during the green season. As long as you are adamant about applying bug spray before you venture out, the mosquitos should not be an issue.

Green season in Playa Grande — Do take a chance with these little devils | © khlungcenter/Shutterstock

Sunscreen

Even though a lot of the time there is cloud coverage during the green season, the sun is still incredibly strong. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can work on your “base tan” sans sunscreen on a mildly overcast day. A bad burn will definitely put a damper on your vacation. To avoid harming the environment, make sure that you opt for sunscreen that is mineral based and doesn’t contain oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, or octinoxate.

A few extra things

A good book for those rainy hours, a flashlight for the occasional nighttime power outage, a small umbrella, a few Ziploc bags to put your phone and other non-water friendly items in, and a nylon mesh bag for your dirty clothes are also smart additions to your green season pack.

Now get out there and seize the season!

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