Savvy travelers know that one of the best times to visit Costa Rica is in September. Long after the hordes have gone back to school or work, September in Costa Ricameans that visitors won’t have to deal with overcrowding at popular destinations. And because September falls during the traditional “low season” in tourism, it’s also a really great time to benefit from reduced airfare and special deals on lodging and adventure tours.
September is often mistakenly thought of as a month-long period of non-stop rain, but this simply isn’t true. Yes, September falls during the green season of increased precipitation, but Costa Rica enjoys plenty of sunny days in September. And when the rain does fall, it’s usually either in the middle of the night or in the form of quick showers during the afternoon, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to explore all of the many wonderful sights in the country.
September is also when one of the most important holidays in Costa Rica takes place. On September 15, Costa Rica celebrates Independence Day, marking the historic occasion in 1821 when the country transitioned to a sovereign nation. In fact, Spain relinquished Costa Rica in 1821 by delivering a diplomatic letter, establishing Costa Rica’s precedence as a peaceful country.
All schools, banks, offices and most shops are closed on September 15. Many people dress their children in the national colors of red, white, and blue, and the holiday is celebrated with parades and patriotic music. And outside of the day of September 15 itself, many towns and cities hold festivals and parades throughout the month. Indeed, the Parade of the Lanterns (Desfile de las faroles) is held on September 14 in many towns. Schoolchildren march through the streets with elaborate homemade lanterns to re-enact the celebrations held in September 1821 when the letter from the Spanish government arrived that granted Costa Rica its independence.
September is also a fantastic time of year to enjoy some surfing along Costa Rica’s fabled Pacific Coast. Sites like Dominical and Manuel Antonio offer big waves with plenty of both right and left breaking swells that are ideal for surfers of all ability levels.
If you’re interested in visiting Costa Rica during September, be sure to book your travels with the Endless Olas Surf Camp. Located in Dominical and with exclusive access to some of the best surf spots in the country, Endless Olas also organizes fun and exciting trips in the surrounding region.
