Guanacaste has a tropical savanna climate characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. The province experiences a dry season from December to April. Although you can still expect rain during the dry season in Costa Rica, this period in Guanacaste is marked by hot temperatures and little to no rainfall, being the driest region of the country. The rainy season runs from May to November, but again, although rains are more frequent and increase in intensity towards the end of the rainy season, it remains one of the drier regions. Guanacaste is known for its tropical dry forests, which are adapted to the dry weather conditions. You'll find a variety of deciduous trees and shrubs, such as the iconic Guanacaste tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum), after which the province is named. In the wetter areas in the northeastern border of the province, you will find lush tropical rainforests.

Temperature and rainfall statistics are averages over a longer period of multiple years. The 'Average Days with Rain' statistic shows the average number of days per month that had rain, but this does not say anything about the duration of rain per day. Weather, especially rainfall, is difficult to predict and varies per year due to different influences. Visit the Seasons page for more information regarding weather and climate.

Moving to this new platform.

This page is currently under construction and more will be available soon.

What to Explore Next

• The southwestern part of Guanacaste is described separately at the Southwest Guanacaste page.
• East of Guanacaste you will find The Northern Zone with lush rainforests, volcanos, and cloud forests. 
• South of Guanacaste you will find The Nicoya Peninsula with wonderful beaches and Bohemian beach towns.
• South-east of Guanacaste you will find The Central Pacific with nice beaches and the most famous national park of the country.