# The best time to visit Cabuya, month by month > The easiest time to visit Cabuya is the dry season, from about December to April, when roads are dry, the Mal País back road is usually open and hiking in Cabo Blanco is at its easiest. The green season, from May to November, brings afternoon rain, fewer people and lush forest, but September and October are the wettest months and the hardest for travel. Source: https://www.cabuyacr.com/best-time-to-visit-cabuya/ Last checked: 2026-10-20 Dry season: December to March, with April as a transition month Green season: May to November, with a drier spell often in July and August Wettest months: September and October Humpback whales: Reported offshore from about July to November and again December to March ## The short answer There isn't a bad time to visit Cabuya, but there are easier and harder ones. The dry season, roughly December to April, is the simplest: sunny days, dusty roads, open back routes and the most visitors. The green season, May to November, is quieter and greener, with rain that usually falls in the afternoon. The two months to think hard about are September and October, the wettest of the year. Costa Rica's tourism board describes the Pacific side as dry from December to March, with April as a transition month, and rainy from May to October, with November as another transition. Within the rainy months there's often a drier break in July and August that Costa Ricans call the "veranillo," or little summer. ## Dry season: December to April This is high season across the Nicoya Peninsula. Expect hot, sunny days, little or no rain and dry forest. In [Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve](/cabo-blanco-reserve/), many trees drop their leaves, which can make it easier to spot monkeys and birds. Trails are dry and firm, and the river crossings on the Sueco trail are low. The dry season is also when the rough back road between Cabuya and Mal País is usually passable with a 4x4. That opens up an easy loop to Santa Teresa that's often closed in practice the rest of the year. The downsides are heat, dust and more people. Book places to stay early around Christmas, New Year and Easter week, when Costa Rican families travel too. March is usually the hottest and driest month. ## Green season: May to November Rain starts in May, and the forest turns green almost overnight. Mornings are often clear, with showers or storms building in the afternoon and early evening. Plan hikes, the island walk and beach time for the morning, and keep afternoons flexible. July and August often bring a drier spell, which makes them a good compromise: green landscapes, fewer visitors than in the dry season and more settled weather than later in the year. The Sueco trail in Cabo Blanco gets muddy from May to November and the river crossings run higher, so allow extra time and wear shoes with grip. ## September and October: the wettest months These are the rainiest months on the Pacific side. Roads can wash out, rivers rise fast, and the back road to Mal País is usually not an option. If there's a particular place you want to stay or eat, check that it's open before you go. If you come now, you'll have the village nearly to yourself. Rent a 4x4, plan to travel in daylight, and stay out of rivers and away from waterfalls after heavy rain, when water can rise quickly. ## Whale and wildlife seasons Humpback whales visit the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Local boat operators in Cabuya, such as [SpicyTuna Cabuya](/spicy-tuna-cabuya/), say whales can be seen from about July to November and again from December to March. Sightings are never guaranteed. The seabird colony on Isla Cabo Blanco, off the tip of the reserve, is home to Costa Rica's largest colony of brown boobies, along with pelicans and frigatebirds. ## Holidays and crowds Cabuya never really gets crowded, but the whole peninsula is busier at certain times. The weeks around Christmas and New Year and Easter week (Semana Santa) are the peak, when Costa Rican families head to the beach as well as visitors from abroad. Book places to stay well ahead for those dates, and expect the Puntarenas ferry to be busier, especially on Friday afternoons out of Puntarenas and Sunday afternoons out of Paquera. The quietest stretch is the wettest one, September and October. Between those extremes, May, June and November are calm, green and easy to book. ## What the season means for each activity - **Hiking in Cabo Blanco:** easiest in the dry season. In the green season, start early to beat the afternoon rain and allow extra time on muddy sections. - **The island walk:** possible all year. It depends on the tide, not the season. - **Snorkeling:** best on calm, clear days, whatever the month. - **Surf:** there are waves all year on this coast. Ask a local surf school which beach is working on the day. - **Driving:** simplest in the dry season. From May to November, give yourself more time and avoid the back road to Mal País. ## How the tides fit in Tides matter more than the weather for one of Cabuya's best walks: the low-tide crossing to the [island cemetery](/cabuya-island/). Low tides fall at different times every day, in every season, so check a tide table for the dates you're here. Our [guide to Cabuya's tides](/cabuya-tides/) explains how. ## Month by month - **December to February:** Dry, sunny and busy. Back road to Mal País usually open. - **March and April:** Hottest and driest, with dry forest. April starts to turn. - **May and June:** Rains begin, forest turns green, fewer visitors. - **July and August:** Often a drier break. A good balance of green and settled. - **September and October:** Wettest months. Quietest time; some businesses close. - **November:** Rain easing, landscapes green, busy season about to start. ## Frequently asked questions ### What's the best month to visit Cabuya? For dry roads and easy hiking, January to March. For green forest and fewer visitors with fairly settled weather, July or August. ### Does it rain all day in the green season? Usually not. Rain on the Pacific side tends to fall in the afternoon and early evening, so mornings are often good for hiking and the beach. ### Can I visit Cabo Blanco in the rainy season? Yes. The reserve is open Wednesday to Sunday all year, but the Sueco trail gets muddy and river crossings run higher from May to November. Start early. ### Is the road from Mal País to Cabuya open all year? No. It's a rough 4x4 dirt road with river crossings, and it's generally only passable in the dry season. The rest of the year, go through Cóbano and Montezuma.