Costa Rica Winter Sun Holidays

What can you expect on Costa Rica winter sun holidays that you won’t find anywhere else?

Winter sun in Costa Rica promises to replenish your vitamin D levels and spark your sense of adventure. See a wealth of wildlife in one go while hiking around Corcovado National Park, or go humpback whale watching along the Caribbean coast in January. Try your hand at all sorts of water sports on the beaches of the Pacific coast, or sip on a fruity cocktail as the sun sinks beneath the horizon. With so much to see and do during Costa Rica winter sun holidays, you could easily skip out on the whole of the winter season back home.

Who are Costa Rica winter sun holidays best for?

Anyone with a craving for some sun, sand and sea, looking to escape colder climes and boost morale. Costa Rica really does tick all of the boxes when it comes to sunshine destinations: a tropical climate, comfortable eco lodges and a generous dose of high octane adventure. Play on the playas (beaches), with surfing, kayaking and snorkelling on offer; relish the humidity of the rainforests, as resplendent birdlife floats on the balmy breeze overhead; settle down on the powder-soft sand, with a good book in hand and the sun warming your skin.

Special things to do during Costa Rica winter sun holidays:

Ride the Sky Tram gondolas through the rainforest canopy of Arenal National Park, keeping your eyes peeled for sloths, birds and butterflies as you glide through your treetops. Adrenaline-seekers can opt for the more adventurous method of transportation, by ziplining through the forest.

It’s no secret that you’re here for the sunshine, so you might as well make the most of it on the sublime beaches found on both coastlines. Some standouts of the Pacific coast include Playa Tamarindo, Nosara and Playa Conchal, while the Caribbean coast plays host to Punta Uva, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Playa Cocles.

Proyecto Asis works to protect wildlife, rehabilitate them and conserve their natural habitats, in the Alajuela Province. On a tour and volunteering combo you'll have the chance to encounter the wildlife at the centre, prepare their food and clean out their enclosures. Recent releases back into the wild following successful rehabilitation include monkeys, anteaters, sloths, squirrels, toucans and hawks.

Renowned as one of the country’s top surfing spots, you can combine active water sports (such as diving, swimming, surfing and fishing), with chilled out yoga classes in Nosara, on the Nicoya Peninsula. The beaches here are nothing short of spectacular and lend themselves to winter sun in Costa Rica.

Best time to visit for winter sun in Costa Rica

Lucky for us Brits, Costa Rica’s dry season falls during our winter – from December to April – meaning it’s the perfect winter sun destination. As temperatures plummet back home, things are heating up (and drying off) in this pint-sized nation, and while there are some regional variations, this is generally the best time to visit. The dry season is most pronounced on the Pacific coast, with a distinct lack of rainfall, yet slightly shorter on the Caribbean side. It’s worth noting that December and January can sometimes still be rainy throughout the country, so be prepared for unexpected showers interrupting your winter sun if you visit during these months.