Dry season, rainy season
What the seasons mean inside Guanacaste's parks, in SINAC's words.
Strip drawn by us from the Rincón de la Vieja quote below.
When is the dry season?
el período seco va de diciembre a marzo. En este período precipita un 4% del total de lluvia anual.Our translation the dry period runs from December to March. In this period, 4% of the total annual rainfall falls.
Our explanation: this describes the region's seasonal climate, not a forecast for your trip.
The seasons, in short
SINAC's Rincón de la Vieja page defines the seasons as dry from December to April and rainy from May to November. The Las Baulas page puts 95% of that park's rain in May to November. The Tenorio page describes rain for almost the whole year there.
Several pages tie access to the season or the weather. At Rincón de la Vieja, hikers can start the waterfall trail until noon in the dry season, and in the rainy season the sector may regulate access. Palo Verde's page prefers a 4x4 on the road in the rainy season, Barra Honda's says rain or extreme weather can limit operations or close the park, and at Las Baulas the October to February nesting season limits beach stays to 5:00 PM.
Our explanation of the quoted facts on this page; it adds no facts of its own.
What SINAC says, park by park
La época seca es de diciembre a abril, mientras que la época lluviosa es de mayo a noviembreOur translation The dry season is December to April; the rainy season is May to November.
Sendero de las Cataratas: Es lineal, color naranja, inicia al salir del Centro de Visitantes a la izquierda (flechas naranjas, subiendo la pendiente por el borde el bosque. La catarata La Cangreja está a 5 km (10 km en total de ida y vuelta) y la catarata Escondida a 4.3 km (8.6 km en total de ida y vuelta), a esta última el sendero es de dificultad alta, debido al ascenso que se debe realizar. El tiempo estimado de ida y vuelta es entre 4-5 horas. NO es posible nadar en ambas cataratas. Equipo necesario: Zapatos cerrados, agua. Durante la época de lluvias jacket. El ingreso a este sendero es posible desde las 8:00 am hasta las 12:00 en la época seca (diciembre-abril) y durante la época lluviosa (mayo-noviembre) puede estar regulado el acceso por parte de la administración del sector.Our translation Waterfalls Trail: linear, marked orange, starting to the left as you leave the visitor center (orange arrows, climbing along the forest edge). La Cangreja waterfall is 5 km away (10 km round trip) and Escondida 4.3 km (8.6 km round trip); the trail to Escondida is highly difficult because of the climb. Round trip takes an estimated 4 to 5 hours. Swimming is NOT possible at either waterfall. Gear needed: closed shoes and water; a jacket in the rainy season. Entry to this trail is possible from 8:00 am until 12:00 in the dry season (December to April), and in the rainy season (May to November) the sector administration may regulate access.
El 95 % de la precipitación se concentra en los meses de mayo a noviembreOur translation 95% of the rain falls from May to November.
Exceptuando la época de desove de tortugas (octubre-febrero) que se permite la estadía en la playa hasta las 5:00 PM.Our translation Except in the turtle nesting season (October to February), when staying on the beach is allowed until 5:00 PM.
En época lluviosa es preferible el uso de vehículos 4x4 por las condiciones del camino.Our translation In the rainy season a 4x4 is preferable because of the road.
con precipitaciones durante casi todo el añoOur translation with rain for almost the whole year
En caso de lluvia u otros eventos climáticos extremos, que puedan poner en riesgo la integridad de los visitantes y el personal del área, se puede limitar la operación o bien optar por el cierre total del parque, por lo que se aconseja llamar antes para conocer las condiciones.Our translation In case of rain or other extreme weather that could endanger visitors and staff, operations can be limited or the park closed entirely, so calling ahead to check conditions is advised.