Weather in Puerto Viejo in September

Puerto Viejo weather is famously changeable — these are rough long-term averages, and conditions can shift several times in a single day. Treat them as a guide, not a guarantee.

September at a glance

What September is actually like

September is the quiet secret of the southern Caribbean. While much of Costa Rica is in its rainiest stretch, Puerto Viejo slips into the veranillo, the "little summer", when the Talamanca mountains hold the heaviest rain back and the coast stays comparatively bright.

The sea is at its calmest and clearest, so this is one of the best months of the year for snorkelling and swimming. Days are warm and often sunny, and any rain tends to come as a short afternoon or overnight shower.

How much does it rain?

September is one of the driest months here, averaging around 165 mm. That is not dry in absolute terms, but the rain usually comes in short bursts rather than all-day grey, so you will still get plenty of beach time.

If a shower does roll through, you have plenty of options:

• Snorkel between showers, when visibility is excellent
• Take a cacao farm and chocolate tour
• Explore Cahuita National Park with fewer people on the trails

Crowds, prices and events

This is one of the best-value windows of the year. Crowds are thin, room rates are low, and most of the town stays open, so you get calm, clear conditions without the peak-season prices.

Is September a good time to visit?

Yes. For many travellers it is the sweet spot. If you want calm, clear sea, warm sunny days and low prices, September is hard to beat on the Caribbean coast.

Key takeaways

September brings the veranillo to Puerto Viejo: calm, clear seas, some of the driest weather of the year, thin crowds and low prices. Pack for the odd shower, but expect one of the best months for the beach and the reef.

See the full month-by-month weather guide →