Costa Rica in August with Kids: Is Rainy Season Worth It for Families?

If you're planning a Costa Rica family holiday during the UK summer holidays, you've probably discovered one thing already: August falls during Costa Rica's rainy season.

That can sound worrying. Before booking, we had exactly the same questions. Will it rain all day? Will activities be cancelled? Will we spend the entire holiday hiding in a hotel? Should we just go somewhere else instead?

After spending 10 days in Costa Rica with our 7-year-old son Joshua during August, I can honestly say the reality was very different from what we'd imagined.

Quick Answer: Is Costa Rica Worth Visiting in August with Kids?

Yes — absolutely. Costa Rica's rainy season doesn't mean constant rain.

In our experience:

• It did not rain all day

• Mornings were often sunny and ideal for activities

• Rain was more common later in the day

• Rainforest areas were wetter than the coast

• Everything looked incredibly green and lush

• Wildlife spotting was excellent

• We only had one activity directly impacted by weather

• The rain never ruined our holiday

The key is planning your days differently. We found mornings were best for sightseeing and afternoons worked well for hot springs, pool time or relaxing at the beach.

This guide is for families wondering whether Costa Rica is realistic during school holidays, what the weather is actually like, and whether rainy season should put you off visiting.

Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend places and services we'd genuinely use again as a family.

What Is Rainy Season in Costa Rica Actually Like?

Before visiting, I imagined rainy season meant endless grey skies and constant rain. The reality was very different.

Most days followed a pattern of:

• Sunny mornings

• Increasing cloud throughout the day

• Short but heavy showers

• Occasional afternoon storms

• Warm temperatures

• Very high humidity

Rainforest areas often experienced misty rainfall rather than dramatic downpours, while coastal areas generally enjoyed more sunshine. Of course, there are exceptions. You can get full rainy days and storms can occasionally disrupt plans. But for us, rainy season felt more like weather we needed to work around rather than something that stopped us enjoying Costa Rica.

If you're considering Costa Rica next summer, our 10-Day Costa Rica Family Itinerary: Jungle, Volcanoes & Beaches shows exactly how we structured the trip to make rainy season work in our favour.

What Rainy Season Was Like in La Fortuna in August

La Fortuna was definitely the wettest part of our trip. That's hardly surprising considering it's surrounded by rainforest, volcanoes and dense jungle. What surprised us most was that it didn't actually rain as much as we'd expected.

We experienced:

• Light misty rain

• Occasional heavy showers (mostly in the evenings)

• Plenty of sunshine

• Warm afternoons

The biggest difference compared to the beach was how unpredictable the weather felt.

One day, during our visit to Mistico Hanging Bridges, we had light rain for much of the morning. Fortunately, most of the walk took place under tree cover, so it felt more like a cooling mist than a proper downpour. We didn't even bother putting our rain jackets on.

We also experienced a few dramatic evening thunderstorms which, if anything, felt atmospheric rather than disruptive.

The only activity genuinely affected by the weather was La Fortuna Waterfall.

When we first visited, swimming was temporarily restricted because water levels were too high. We simply came back the following day and enjoyed beautiful sunshine instead.

This flexibility became one of our biggest lessons about rainy season travel.

Staying at Los Lagos During Rainy Season

We stayed at Hotel Los Lagos, which turned out to be the perfect rainy season base. Because the hotel has its own pools and hot springs, even if there was a shower or storm, it didn't really matter. Some of our favourite moments actually happened during light rain while relaxing in the hot springs with views towards Arenal Volcano.

You can read more in Hotel Los Lagos La Fortuna Review: Is It Good for Families?

What Rainy Season Is Like on the Coast

The beach felt completely different. We stayed at Planet Hollywood Costa Rica, and the weather was noticeably better than it had been in La Fortuna.

Most days were sunny with some cloud building throughout the afternoon. We still experienced occasional showers, but they were generally short-lived and rarely affected our plans.

In fact, if someone had only experienced the coastal portion of our trip, they might not even have realised it was rainy season. The sea could occasionally be rougher, but the overall impact of the weather felt much lower than in the rainforest.

This is one reason why combining La Fortuna and the beach works so well for families. You get the wildlife and rainforest experience first, followed by a more relaxed beach stay where occasional showers matter far less.

For our full review, see Planet Hollywood Costa Rica Review: Honest Family Guide to This All-Inclusive Resort.

Driving in Rainy Season

We also experienced rain while driving around La Fortuna. One thing I'd recommend is hiring a reasonably sized vehicle. We ended up with a truck rather than the SUV we'd planned, and during the wetter conditions we were very glad of the additional ground clearance.

For more on this, see Driving in Costa Rica with Kids: Tips, Roads & Our Honest Experience.

Advantages of Visiting Costa Rica During Rainy Season

Before travelling, I assumed visiting Costa Rica during rainy season would mean constantly checking the weather forecast and adjusting plans. In reality, we found there were actually quite a few advantages.

The first thing we noticed was how incredibly green everything looked. The rainforest, volcano surroundings and coastal areas all felt lush and vibrant in a way that many dry season photos simply don't capture.

Wildlife also felt easier to spot because the rainforest was so active. Even when we weren't seeing animals, we were constantly hearing birds, insects and other wildlife around us. If you're planning activities such as Mistico Hanging Bridges or some of the other experiences in our Best Things to Do in La Fortuna with Kids guide, the rainforest atmosphere is a huge part of what makes them so special.

Another benefit was the temperature. It was still warm and tropical, but generally felt more comfortable than some of the hotter destinations we've visited. We also found many attractions and hotels felt quieter than we'd expected during the UK summer holidays.

Most importantly, Costa Rica doesn't shut down during rainy season. Almost everything on our itinerary operated exactly as planned, and the occasional shower rarely stopped us doing what we wanted to do.

Disadvantages of Visiting During Rainy Season

Of course, there are a few things worth considering.

The biggest challenge for UK families is often flights. Because August falls during Costa Rica's rainy season, direct flight options can be more limited and many families end up travelling via the USA or another hub.

You also need to accept that plans may occasionally change. We experienced this when La Fortuna Waterfall temporarily restricted swimming because of water levels after heavy rain. Fortunately, it reopened the following day, but it was a good reminder that flexibility is important.

Some trails can be muddier, you'll definitely get more use from a rain jacket, and afternoon showers occasionally influence what you choose to do later in the day. Sea conditions can also be a little rougher at times on the coast.

For us, though, these felt like inconveniences rather than major problems. Across the entire trip, we only had one activity directly affected by the weather.

How to Plan Your Days During Rainy Season

If I had to give one piece of advice for visiting Costa Rica during rainy season, it's this: do your sightseeing in the morning.

That was the strategy we used throughout the trip and it worked brilliantly.

We'd typically have an early breakfast and spend the morning exploring waterfalls, hanging bridges, wildlife attractions or other outdoor activities. After lunch, we'd slow things down with pool time, hot springs or beach time, all of which are much easier to adapt if the weather changes later in the day.

By the evening, if a shower or thunderstorm appeared, it rarely mattered. We'd already done the main activity and could simply enjoy dinner and relax.

This approach worked well in both La Fortuna and on the coast and was probably the biggest reason the weather never became a problem for us.

What to Pack for Rainy Season in Costa Rica

You don't need to pack for constant rain, but a few items made a huge difference for us.

Lightweight rain jackets were useful, as were comfortable trainers, sandals and quick-dry clothing. We also got plenty of use from insect repellent, spare socks and a small dry bag for activities around water.

The key is being prepared for the occasional shower without carrying lots of heavy waterproof clothing you may never use.

For our full family packing list, including everything we packed for both La Fortuna and the beach, see Costa Rica Packing List for Families: What to Pack in Rainy Season.

Would I Visit Costa Rica Again During the UK Summer Holidays?

Without hesitation. The rain didn't ruin our trip. In fact, most of the time it barely affected it.

One thing I think is important to understand is that Costa Rican rain doesn't always feel like UK rain. We rarely experienced the kind of grey, miserable weather that keeps everyone indoors. Even on wetter days, it was still warm, bright and tropical, and a shower rarely stopped us from getting out and exploring.

The only real downside of travelling during the UK summer holidays is that flight options can be a little more limited. August falls during Costa Rica's rainy season, so you won't always find the same range of direct flights that you might see during peak dry season. Many families end up travelling via the USA or another hub, so it's worth building flight availability into your planning from the start.

If you have children and are tied to school holiday dates, I genuinely wouldn't let rainy season put you off. We experienced rainforest walks, waterfalls, hot springs, wildlife, beach time and sunshine, all while travelling in August.

The only people I'd suggest considering the dry season instead are those with the flexibility to travel outside school holidays. If you can choose any time of year, you'll probably benefit from more predictable weather between January and April.

For everyone else, particularly families travelling during UK school holidays, Costa Rica is still an incredible destination and one I would happily return to in rainy season.

Planning a Costa Rica Family Holiday?

If you're still at the early planning stage, I'd start with How to Plan a Costa Rica Family Trip: Our La Fortuna & Beach Route, where I walk through choosing a route, flights, accommodation, transport and how to make Costa Rica work as a family holiday. It will help you decide whether Costa Rica is the right fit before diving into the finer details.

FAQs: Visiting Costa Rica during the rainy season

Does it rain all day in Costa Rica during August?

No. While August falls during Costa Rica's rainy season, we rarely experienced all-day rain. Most mornings were dry and ideal for activities, with rain more likely later in the afternoon or evening.

Is Costa Rica worth visiting during the UK summer holidays?

Yes. We visited in August with our 7-year-old son and had an incredible trip. The rain never stopped us enjoying waterfalls, rainforest walks, wildlife, hot springs or beach days.

Is La Fortuna too wet during rainy season?

La Fortuna was definitely wetter than the coast, but not constantly rainy. We experienced sunshine, mist, showers and thunderstorms, often all within the same day. Activities such as Mistico Hanging Bridges and the hot springs were still enjoyable in the rain.

Is the beach better than La Fortuna during rainy season?

In terms of weather, generally yes. We found the Pacific Coast noticeably sunnier than the rainforest areas around La Fortuna, with most showers arriving later in the day. This is one of the reasons our 10-Day Costa Rica Family Itinerary: Jungle, Volcanoes & Beaches worked so well.

What is the best way to plan Costa Rica during rainy season?

Plan your main outdoor activities for the morning and keep afternoons more flexible. This is exactly how we structured our trip, combining attractions such as waterfalls and hanging bridges with hot springs, pools and beach time later in the day.

For a full route, see How to Plan a Costa Rica Family Trip: Our La Fortuna & Beach Route.

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About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.