The best time to travel to Central America is during the dry season, from December to April. During these months, the region is generally rain-free, and you can make the most of your trip, whether that means wildlife encounters in Costa Rica, snorkeling in the Belize Barrier Reef, or marveling at millennia-old archaeological sites across the region. Prices tend to rise, though, so backpackers on a budget will want to visit during the low season instead.
Thanks to a warm, tropical climate, there’s not really a bad season for visiting the region. However, rainfall is likely between May and November. If outdoor activities are a priority, you’ll prefer the sunnier half of the year. Some activities like surfing and rafting, peak during the rainy season, though. Ultimately, the best time to go to Central America will depend on your itinerary.
At a Glance
Dry Season (December to April)
Driest Months: January, February, and March
Best For: Outdoor activities, snorkeling, diving, hiking, cruising
Expect: Higher prices, high tourism season (especially during Holy Week), occasional rainfall
Wet Season (May to November)
Rainiest Months: September and October
Best For: Sea turtle watching, surfing, rafting, great deals on hotels and tours, fewer tourists
Expect: Muddier conditions, more frequent rainfall, some hotels are closed during the low season
Rafting the Pacuare River! (Bryan Kaschube)
When to go to each Central American country
Belize
We recommend visiting Belize in the dry season from December to May, when clear skies and sunshine deliver prime conditions for kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and seeing the Mayan ruins. Scuba divers and snorkelers exploring the Barrier Reef or the Great Blue Hole will want to visit between April and June for the best visibility in the water. The rainiest months in Belize are August, September, and October, but a small window known as the “little dry season” in early August offers a short dry spell for sightseeing.
Costa Rica
The high season in Costa Rica falls on the dry season from December to April, with January and February especially ideal for sunbathing at the beach and wildlife viewing. Turtle nesting season at Tortuguero National Park runs between July and August, while surfing is best on the Pacific coast during the wet season from May to November. Costa Rica’s tropical climate means rainfall is possible all year round, but it’s heaviest in September and October.
El Salvador
The drier, sunnier months from November to April are a good time to travel to El Salvador. December sees the country at its most stunning, with the landscapes bursting in vibrant foliage straight after the rainy season. However, a few activities are better suited for the wet season, including seeing sea turtles nest at Jiquilisco Bay and surfing at El Tunco Beach and other surf spots in El Salvador.
Guatemala
Although the consistently pleasant climate makes this Central American country a good destination all year round, the dry season from November to April is the best time to visit Guatemala. During these months, blue skies and sunshine are perfect for viewing the country’s Mayan ruins and natural spectacles, Lake Atitlán and Semuc Champey.
Mexico
Visit Mexico between the dry months of December and April for peak sightseeing opportunities. Whale watching in Baja California is best from January to March, while spring break partiers take over Cancun in March and April. On the other hand, August, September, and October are typically the wettest stretch in Mexico, so if you’re looking for a sunny vacation at the beach, it’s best to skip these months.
Honduras
Similar to the rest of Central America, the high season in Honduras is the dry season from December and April. It’s driest and most pleasant during December, January, and February. Expect hotter and more humid weather starting May, which is also when whale sharks pop up around Bay Islands until they leave in September. We recommend avoiding the peak hurricane season from August, but October and November usually see the most storms.
Nicaragua
Visit Nicaragua between November and April, a pleasant stretch known as the country’s dry season. Bright days are expected, with plenty of festivals to celebrate, including the lively Palo de Mayo in May. Even the earlier months of the rainy season are a fantastic time to travel to Nicaragua, although travelers are advised to avoid the heaviest rains in September and October.
Panama
The best time to go to Panama is during the dry season between January and April when there’s barely any rain and excellent visibility for scuba diving and snorkeling. Flower festivals and carnival celebrations add to the allure of visiting Panama in the earlier months of the year. Rain becomes more frequent starting in May, but stormy weather peaks from September to November. Expect scattered rain showers year-round in Panama’s Caribbean side, including Bocas del Toro and San Blas Islands.
Maximize your experience cruising to this part of the world. If you have any questions about the best time to travel to Central America and things to do in the region, don’t hesitate to contact our Adventure Life travel experts for assistance.
Our agent Jessica was very helpful with the whole process and always responded in a timely way to all of our questions.
K Van
1 day ago
Chern was very patient snd helpful.
CaBaba
2 days ago
Cruse ship was great. Fantastic food and service. Cruise itinary got changed so not what we expected, but not an major issue. Japan portion was great. Drivers/guides arranged by 80 Days were great. Hotels were mostly ok. Did not know that most hotels outside of major cities do not allow shoes to be worn in the hotel. again a minor inconvenience. Overall a great trip. Adventure Life communications were timely and much appreciated as far as changes/requests.
Peter Goff
3 days ago
We were a group of three that initiated our research by independently searching for the best agency to help us in the somewhat complex experience of traveling to the Galapagos. We chose adventure life because they were the most responsive in the website provided the most comprehensive overview of the trip. Their reviews were also very good.
Adventure, life splits up its booking process in two parts. First Jeff, the booking agent helped us decide which experience best suited are interests. We chose a small 14 to 16 group sized yacht. Once the booking was made with Jeff, we were handed off to Coleene, who oversaw the complex process of assembling all of the necessary documents and making sure we had everything we needed to make the trip go smoothly. The adventure, life website, then becomes your personal place of reference for all things related to your trip from door to door. It’s a lot of information to assemble, especially for three travelers, but the website makes it easy and Colleen‘s gentle reminders kept us on track. In all, from the beginning, we had four months from the time we started our research till the time we departed. We felt that was, a good amount of preparation time and don’t think it would be wise to do it in less than four months. Mostly because I think you have more options with that amount of time. There were others on our trip that took six months and more from the time they started planning.
The trip itself was outstanding. We ended up on an excellent yacht (Galapagos Angel II) with a great group of guests that we were able to connect with and put together a really nice google photos album to share.
Jed
1 week ago
Mary was very helpful. Quick to reply with helpful information and closure on arrangements.
