San Jose Weather in August

August: wet-season days

August feels mild but damp in San Jose. The high is 24°C, but the humidity and thick cloud can make the city feel close and grey. Rain falls on 26 days, often interrupting the afternoons, so give your sightseeing more time than you think you'll need. The Central Market is a good rainy-day stop, with food stalls and covered aisles. Save a walk through Parque Metropolitano La Sabana for a clearer spell, and don't count on much sunshine.

If you're a family who enjoys a slower city break, the cool temperatures may suit you better than Costa Rica's hot lowlands.

Mother's Day and pilgrimage

Día de la Madre falls on August 15, and it's a major family holiday in Costa Rica. You'll see local families gathering, and some shops or services may close, so check opening hours ahead of time. On August 2, many people make the pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago. That's outside San Jose, but the journey can affect roads and transport around the capital.

When the rain sets in over lunch, head to Mercado Central for olla de carne, a beef and vegetable stew. Its covered setting makes it a more practical choice than a long outdoor stop.

Quieter, but rainier

Because August is part of the green season, visitor numbers and hotel rates are often lower than in the dry-season peak of February and March, which are the best months to visit. August isn't the driest month, though. July is slightly less rainy, and September is wetter still, so August sits in the middle. If you're hoping for sunny walks or day trips, keep your plans flexible and save the rainier spells for museums or cafés. The Museo Nacional, near Plaza de la Democracia, is an easy indoor option.