The Rainy Season-Pros & Cons: Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is well known for it’s tropical climate, varying eco-regions like rainforests and mountains and beach areas. Typical of such places is a distinct ‘rainy season’ which Costa Rica has. Fun fact, Costa Rica is so ecologically diverse that the rainy seasons actually vary throughout the country. But for this conversation, let’s focus on my home town of Guanacaste, on the north-western “Gold Coast” of the country.

Guanacaste is quite noted for being very warm and dry through the months of November to April. This is what the locals refer to as “high season” as it is typically full of tourists and the area bustles with activity during this time where it may not rain for months at a time. This is very good for the tourist industry obviously, but it gets so dry leading into April, many are eagerly anticipating the first rain fall that instantly breaths life into the now-brown landscape. This transformation is indeed and sight to behold. From my vantage point, I can watch the coast mountains that surround Potrero Bay turn from light dusty brown to vibrant emerald green in a matter of a couple of days.

This is the official commencement of the “low-season” or often just called the rainy season, that starts in April, very much intensifies through August, September and October, and finally relents in November, just in time for the next high-season and new influx of tourists and Ex-pats.

Though the farmers are quite happy to see the rain, the low-season is a source of great consternation for shops services and vendors along the Gold Coast that depend on tourism because the population of these areas are typically reduced by 75% during that time, and consequently, so is over all spending. This is simply a fact of life in these parts.

For this reason, the rainy season has gotten a bad reputation and though, it does not bode well for the fishing or golfing enthusiast, the rainy season offers many strong points worth noting.

Stunning Costa Rica Beauty Returns

Every non-urban place in Costa Rica is beautiful all the time, and that’s no exception here in Guanacaste. But the visual transformation from the dry to rainy season is something to behold. Brown turns to green. birds and insects flourish and the incredible aroma of a freshly fallen rain, or one in progress is intoxicating. Just the act of watching storms rolling in off the coast and wrap around the coast mountains is one of my favorite pastimes. When the rain comes, this place literally comes alive with the flick of a switch.

Everything is Cheaper

From restaurant specials, to hotel rooms, to rounds of golf, to ATV tours, to real estate for sale or vacation homes to rent… prices generally come down across the board to keep busy when much of the population vacates. This is often great news for the locals as they now get to enjoy what the tourists have been enjoying for months, but at a discounted rate.

The Crowds Disappear

To some, the activity of high season is optimal and for area businesses, it’s essential, but many of us welcome the low-season for a much needed break from the hectic pace. Though the Gold Coast beaches are rarely crowded, many are often desolate a this time of year offering that a postcard-like secluded beach paradise that is virtually impossible find anywhere. The roads clear up, hotel rooms and vacation rentals are readily available, and restaurants are not packed or noisy. Life tends to slow down quite a bit during this time which is often why we moved here in the first place.

A Great Opportunity To Invest in Real Estate

With everything so quiet tourist-wise, realtors are very responsive to legitimate leads, and property owners are very motivated to get an offer. And with travel and accommodations are cheeper this time of year, the bargaining advantage decidedly swings to the buyer. You may have to dodge rain drops while you’re here, but your opportunity to invest in the beachfront condo, or ocean view retirement home, or boutique hotel operation could not be better. And if you do manage to find your slice of paradise, you’ll be in before the next high-season is upon us.

High Season, Low Season, Dry Season, Rainy Season…it’s all Pura Vida as far as I’m concerned.

Do you have a question about this article? Feel free to contact our Costa Rica Real Estate office in Guanacaste.

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