Updated July 2026
September rain rarely cancels tours in Guanacaste and Arenal. Here's how the green season actually works and how to plan around it.
- September is part of Costa Rica's green season, with typically dry mornings and afternoon showers or storms.
- Guanacaste and the Papagayo area are among the driest regions in the country, often with sunny mornings even in September.
- Arenal and La Fortuna are rainforest and rain more often, but activities like hot springs, hanging bridges, and horseback rides run in wet weather.
- Morning tours offer the best odds of dry conditions, and water-based activities are unaffected or better in rain.
- Recommended packing includes a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothing, waterproof footwear, and a dry bag rather than an umbrella.
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Monteverde Treetop Walk
Private full-day Monteverde Cloud Forest treetop walk — suspension bridges at canopy level with zip line (Classic option) or reptiles exhibition, butterfly garden and sloth sanctuary (Plus option). Breakfast and lunch included.
Palo Verde & Cultural Experience El Viejo
Covered boat ride down the Tempisque River through Palo Verde National Park, then a private visit to Hacienda El Viejo — tortilla making, the ox-powered trapiche sugar mill, and traditional Guanacaste cuisine. Lunch and National Park fee included.
Hanging Bridges & Sloths Experience
Private hanging bridges and sloth encounter — 3 suspension bridges through tropical forest, Llanos de Cortez Waterfall and an intimate sloth experience that inspires wonder in every age. Lunch included.
The Short Answer: Probably Not
September falls squarely in Costa Rica's green season, so yes, you should expect rain. But rain and ruined plans are two very different things. Most September days in Guanacaste follow a familiar rhythm: bright, dry mornings followed by afternoon showers or a passing storm. That means the bulk of tours, beach time, and outdoor activities happen under clear or partly cloudy skies before the clouds build.
The landscape in September is genuinely at its most beautiful. The dry-forest hills of Guanacaste turn a deep, lush green, rivers run full, and waterfalls near Arenal are at their most dramatic. Wildlife is active, and crowds are thin. For families and couples wanting a quieter, more affordable trip, this is one of the best-kept secrets of the calendar.
The honest caveat: weather here is variable and no one can promise a rain-free week. Some days stay dry all day; others get a soggy afternoon. Planning with that flexibility in mind is the real key.
Schedule your outdoor and beach tours for the morning and save hot springs, waterfalls, or indoor plans for the afternoon when showers are most likely.
Guanacaste vs. Arenal: Two Different Rain Stories
These two regions do not share the same weather, and that works in your favor. Guanacaste and the Papagayo area sit in one of the driest corners of the country. Even in September, coastal mornings are frequently sunny, and beach days, catamaran trips, and snorkeling outings often go ahead with only brief interruptions.
Arenal and La Fortuna, by contrast, are rainforest. It rains there more often and more unpredictably year-round, September included. But that rain is exactly what feeds the volcano's misty drama, the hot springs, and the roaring waterfalls. Activities like hot-spring soaks, hanging bridges, and horseback rides are built for damp weather and run through light rain without issue.
- Morning tours generally offer the best odds of dry conditions.
- Water-based activities (hot springs, rafting, waterfalls) are unaffected or even better in rain.
- Ziplines and open-air tours may pause briefly during heavy downpours, then resume.
- Pack a light rain jacket and quick-dry clothes rather than an umbrella.
How We Help You Plan Around It
Because we live and work here, we watch how the season actually behaves week to week, not just what a forecast app predicts. When we arrange private tours and transfers, we lean toward morning departures in Guanacaste to catch the driest window, and we're happy to build flexibility into your day so a rainy afternoon becomes hot-spring or downtime instead of a washout.
Private transfers between Papagayo, Guanacaste, and Arenal also take the stress out of green-season travel; if the skies open up, you're comfortable and covered rather than waiting on a wet roadside. Come with a relaxed, flexible mindset, keep your must-do activities early in the trip, and September will reward you with green scenery and fewer crowds than almost any other month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tours get cancelled because of September rain?
Rarely fully. Most September rain comes in the afternoon, so morning tours usually run as planned. Heavy downpours may briefly pause open-air activities like ziplines, but they typically resume, and water-based tours continue in rain.
Is Guanacaste or Arenal wetter in September?
Guanacaste and the Papagayo coast are among the driest regions in the country, even in green season, with more sunny mornings. Arenal is rainforest and rains more often, but its activities are designed to work in wet weather.
What should I pack for a September trip?
Pack a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothing, waterproof footwear or sandals, and a dry bag for electronics. An umbrella is less useful than a good jacket during quick tropical showers.
Is September a good time to visit with family?
Yes. Green season means lush scenery, fuller waterfalls, active wildlife, thinner crowds, and often better value. With flexible planning, families and couples enjoy it comfortably.
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