🌧 Green Season

July

Guanacaste Day and the volcanic highlands

July holds an interesting meteorological anomaly: the Pacific coast of Guanacaste often experiences a brief dry spell in mid-July — the veranillo del Boyero — while the rest of the country remains in green season. This makes July the best time to explore the Guanacaste volcanic highlands and Pacific coast simultaneously, without the full force of the rainy season.

Highlights this month

✓Guanacaste Day on July 25 — the province's distinct identity celebrated with cattle culture and regional pride
✓Veranillo del Boyero — a brief mid-July dry window on the north Pacific coast
✓Cloud forests at peak atmospheric conditions — hanging bridges draped in mist
✓Pacific surf season building toward peak on the central and southern coasts

Best for

Cloud forestsGuanacaste cultureSurfVolcanic hikingThermal pools

Photography

Cloud forest hanging bridges in July offer some of the most atmospheric photography in the country. The interplay of mist and deep green canopy is at its most dramatic.

Worth knowing

Roads in remote areas of the Southern Zone and Caribbean lowlands can become genuinely challenging. A 4WD vehicle is not optional in many regions during July.

Event note — Guanacaste Day on July 25 celebrates the 1824 annexation of the province. Local rodeos, traditional music, and the particular cattle culture of the region are worth seeking out.