Best time to visit La Fortuna
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in La Fortuna
26 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on La Fortuna).
- 1
La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs Full Day Tour - 2
La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano Combo Tour - 3
Arenal 12 Zipline Cables Experience Fly over La Fortuna Waterfall - 4
North Fields Cafe: Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour - 5
Balsa River White Water Rafting class 2/3 in Costa Rica - 6
Arenal Volcano Canyoning; Top Rated Waterfall Rappel Adventure - 7
Canyoning Adventure Rappelling Waterfalls in Arenal Volcano - 8
Arenal Volcano, Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Combo Tour - 9
Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica - 10
Sloth Observation, Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Experience - 11
La Fortuna Ultimate Waterfall Canyoning: 4 Rappels & Monkey Drop - 12
White Water Rafting Class II and III - 13
Sarapiqui River Extreme White Water Rafting Class IV - 14
Sloth Watching Tour in La Fortuna - Wildlife Experience - 15
Sloths Watching Tour through Sloth's Territory - 16
Rio Celeste Full-Day Hike: Blue Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano - 17
Farm to Table Cooking Class - 18
La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano Hike & Hot Springs Tour - 19
Don Olivo Chocolate Tour - 20
White Water Rafting Class III & IV - 21
Coffee and Chocolate Tour in La Fortuna - 22
La Fortuna Eden Chocolate Tour - 23
Craft Specialty Coffee and Chocolate Tour at North Fields - 24
Sloth Watching Wildlife Tour in La Fortuna, Costa Rica - 25
Rio Celeste waterfall and slothland excursion - 26
Chocolate, Coffee & Sugar Cane Experience - La Fortuna
Last refreshed 2026-05-30.
Similar climatesSingapore60% · Cairns47% · Taipei39%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to La Fortuna (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against La Fortuna's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20–26 | 30 | 29 | 557 | 19.2 | 81% | 12 | 210 | 8 | Quiet | 3 |
| Feb | 20–26 | 30 | 27 | 480 | 17.8 | 77% | 13 | 206 | 10 | Quiet | 3 |
| Mar | 20–28 | 31 | 27 | 437 | 16.2 | 73% | 13 | 245 | 12 | Quiet | 2 |
| Apr | 21–29 | 33 | 23 | 373 | 16.2 | 73% | 11 | 222 | 11 | Quiet | 2 |
| May | 22–29 | 34 | 27 | 383 | 14.2 | 77% | 9 | 200 | 10 | Quiet | 1 |
| Jun | 22–27 | 33 | 29 | 442 | 15.2 | 84% | 8 | 166 | 8 | Quiet | 1 |
| Jul | 22–27 | 32 | 31 | 543 | 17.5 | 84% | 8 | 165 | 8 | Quiet | 2 |
| Aug | 22–28 | 33 | 30 | 434 | 14.5 | 83% | 8 | 181 | 9 | Moderate | 1 |
| Sep | 22–28 | 33 | 28 | 339 | 12.1 | 81% | 7 | 188 | 8 | Quiet | 1 |
| Oct | 22–27 | 33 | 30 | 412 | 13.7 | 84% | 7 | 175 | 7 | Quiet | 2 |
| Nov | 21–26 | 31 | 29 | 520 | 17.9 | 87% | 7 | 137 | 6 | Peak | 2 |
| Dec | 21–26 | 30 | 30 | 574 | 19.1 | 83% | 10 | 172 | 7 | Peak | 3 |
UV Index in La Fortuna by Month
UV index in La Fortuna peaks at 12 (extreme) in March, dropping to 6 (moderate) in November. January, February, March, April, May, August reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
Best months in detail
February
3/1020–26°C (feels 30°C) · 27 rain days (480h) · 206 sun hours · 77% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
January
3/1020–26°C (feels 30°C) · 29 rain days (557h) · 210 sun hours · 81% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
December
3/1021–26°C (feels 30°C) · 30 rain days (574h) · 172 sun hours · 83% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
March
2/1020–28°C (feels 31°C) · 27 rain days (437h) · 245 sun hours · 73% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 12 (extreme) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
April
2/1021–29°C (feels 33°C) · 23 rain days (373h) · 222 sun hours · 73% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 11 (extreme) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 13 (extreme)
May
1/1022–29°C (feels 34°C) · 27 rain days (383h) · 200 sun hours · 77% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 10 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 12 (extreme)
June
1/1022–27°C (feels 33°C) · 29 rain days (442h) · 166 sun hours · 84% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
July
2/1022–27°C (feels 32°C) · 31 rain days (543h) · 165 sun hours · 84% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (very high)
August
1/1022–28°C (feels 33°C) · 30 rain days (434h) · 181 sun hours · 83% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 9 (very high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (very high)
September
1/1022–28°C (feels 33°C) · 28 rain days (339h) · 188 sun hours · 81% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 11 (very high)
October
2/1022–27°C (feels 33°C) · 30 rain days (412h) · 175 sun hours · 84% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 10 (very high)
November
2/1021–26°C (feels 31°C) · 29 rain days (520h) · 137 sun hours · 87% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
Frequently asked questions about visiting La Fortuna
When is the best time to visit La Fortuna?
February is the highest-scoring month (3/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 20–26°C (27 rainy days). The top three months by score are February, January, December.
What is the worst time to visit La Fortuna?
May is the lowest-scoring month (1/10, capped by extreme heat). Typical conditions: 22–29°C (27 rainy days).
Is La Fortuna too hot in summer?
11 months (January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in La Fortuna?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in June and peaks in November. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
What is the UV index in La Fortuna by month?
UV peaks at 12 (extreme) in March and is lowest in November at 6 (moderate). Monthly peak values: Jan 8, Feb 10, Mar 12, Apr 11, May 10, Jun 8, Jul 8, Aug 9, Sep 8, Oct 7, Nov 6, Dec 7. January, February, March, April, May, August reach very high or extreme levels — apply SPF 50+, wear a hat and protective clothing, and limit direct sun between 11:00 and 17:00.
What is the UV index in La Fortuna in March?
March is the peak UV month in La Fortuna, with a daily-peak UV index of 12 (extreme). At this level, sunburn can occur in under 20 minutes on unprotected fair skin. Apply SPF 50+, wear protective clothing and a hat, and avoid direct midday sun (11:00–17:00).
How high can UV get in La Fortuna on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. March is the worst case: typical days average UV 12 (extreme), but the top 10% of days reach UV 13 (extreme) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.