In short: The best time to visit Guanacaste depends on what you're after. The dry season, roughly December to April, delivers reliable sun and clear skies. The green season, May to November, brings clear mornings, afternoon rain, lush landscapes and far quieter beaches. September and October are the wettest months of the year.
A September afternoon at Villa Hermes. Around three, the sky closes over the Pacific, rain drums on the wooden vault for the better part of an hour, and everyone ends up reading in the double-height living room. By five it clears. The garden smells of wet earth, the ocean has gone glassy, and the sunset that follows is the kind people photograph in silence. That's a good share of green season in Junquillal, and hardly anyone tells you about it.
When is the dry season in Guanacaste, and what is it like?
Guanacaste is the driest province in Costa Rica. From roughly December to April, it barely rains: long sunny days, cloudless skies, clean sunsets on the horizon. It's the season most North American travelers choose, since it lines up with winter back home and with the holiday and spring break calendars.
There's an honest flip side. The coastal dry forest turns gold and brown, dirt roads kick up dust, and busier towns like Tamarindo fill up. Junquillal never gets crowded in the same way, since it's an undeveloped stretch of coast with no nightlife, but if you're eyeing Christmas or Easter week, book well ahead.
Is the green season a good time to visit Guanacaste?
For a lot of travelers, yes. The green season runs May to November, and locals call it "winter" even though it's warm. Rain usually arrives in the afternoon or evening, in short, heavy downpours; mornings tend to be clear. Flip your day around, beach and activities early, a nap and a book when the rain comes, and you lose very little sun.
What you gain is a lot. Within weeks the landscape swings from ochre to deep green, and the century-old trees Patrick and Valérie painted by hand in the gardens at Diosa del Mar look their best. There are fewer people on the beach, at restaurants and on the road. And the sunsets after rain, with the air rinsed clean, are often the clearest of the year.
Two caveats. September and October are the wettest months, with days when the rain lingers. And during the rainy season we recommend a 4x4; the transfer from Liberia airport, about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 20 minutes away, is coordinated by the concierge.
A rough guide to the year:
- December to April: dry, sunny and busier all along the coast. Book early.
- May to August: green, clear mornings, afternoon showers, fewer visitors.
- September and October: the wettest stretch. For people who want silence and don't mind a downpour.
- November: a transition month; the rain eases and the landscape stays green.
When are the waves best for surfing near Junquillal?
Your level matters more than the calendar. Broadly speaking, the green season brings bigger, more consistent south swells, which is when experienced surfers head to Playa Negra, a well-known right-hand reef break 15 to 20 minutes away. The dry season tends to bring smaller, more manageable waves that suit learners.
Junquillal, right in front of the villas, is an exposed beach break: best for intermediate surfers, and the tide matters a great deal. Avellanas, 20 to 30 minutes away, has several peaks and works for a range of levels. If you've never stood on a board, the concierge arranges lessons in any season and picks the beach for the day.
When can you see sea turtles nesting in Guanacaste?
Sea turtles nest on beaches in the area by season, and the timing shifts from year to year and from species to species. That's why we don't quote exact months: the concierge confirms what's possible on your dates and arranges an outing with local guides, at night, with minimal light and at a respectful distance. If turtles are a priority, mention it when you book and we'll plan around it.
One experience that depends less on the season: kayaking the mangroves of the Estero de Venado, best early, when the water is still and the birds are active. For broader planning, Visit Costa Rica is a useful official resource.
Where to stay
- Villa Hermes — modern architectural beachfront villa →
- Villa Diosa del Mar — beachfront art retreat →
- Rent both villas together as Odisea Retreats →
Frequently asked questions
Does it rain all day during the green season in Guanacaste?
Rarely. Mornings are usually clear, and the rain tends to arrive in the afternoon or evening as heavy but short downpours. September and October are the exception, with wetter days. If you plan activities early, you make the most of the day without much trouble.
When is the quietest time to visit Playa Junquillal?
The green season, May to November, outside school holidays. There are fewer visitors along the whole coast, and the beach in front of the villas feels even more private. Junquillal is a quiet area all year, but in those months the silence is nearly complete.
Do I need a 4x4 to get to Junquillal?
In the dry season a regular car does the job. In the rainy season we recommend a 4x4, since some stretches get muddy. If you'd rather not drive, the concierge coordinates a private transfer from Liberia airport, roughly an hour and twenty minutes from the villas.
Can you surf year-round near Junquillal?
Yes. Between Junquillal, Playa Negra and Avellanas there's almost always a wave that works; what changes is the size and which beach suits your level. The concierge arranges surf lessons in any season and points you toward the right spot based on the day's conditions.
