Best Time to Photograph Wildlife in Costa Rica: A Photographer Calendar
Timing is everything in wildlife photography, and Costa Rica offers two very different shooting seasons that each bring their own rewards. After years of photographing here, I have learned that the best time depends entirely on what you want to shoot and how you feel about rain.
See also our Sierpe and Drake Bay, Costa Rica: Complete Photography Guide to the Osa Peninsul guide. See also our Mottled Owl (Ciccaba virgata) in Costa Rica: The Complete Photography Guide guide. See also our Carara National Park Costa Rica: Complete Wildlife Photography Guide guide. See also our Jaguar in Costa Rica: The Complete Wildlife Photography Guide to the Americas guide. See also our Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth in Costa Rica: The Complete Wildlife Photography Guide guide.
See also our Sierpe and Drake Bay, Costa Rica: Complete Photography Guide to the Osa Peninsul guide. See also our Mottled Owl (Ciccaba virgata) in Costa Rica: The Complete Photography Guide guide. See also our Carara National Park Costa Rica: Complete Wildlife Photography Guide guide. See also our Jaguar in Costa Rica: The Complete Wildlife Photography Guide to the Americas guide. See also our Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth in Costa Rica: The Complete Wildlife Photography Guide guide.
The Two Seasons Explained
Costa Rica operates on a tropical wet/dry cycle rather than traditional seasons. The dry season runs December through April; the green (wet) season runs May through November. Neither is bad for photography each just changes what is available and how you work.
Dry Season Photography (December-April)
The dry season is what most visiting photographers expect. Blue skies, easier access, animals concentrated around water sources. This is when you will get those classic golden-hour shots with clean backgrounds and crisp light.
The trade-off: More tourists, higher prices, and animals that are actually easier to see. Some photographers find the abundance of subjects leads to more crowded shots.
Best for: Beach wildlife, Scarlet Macaws, whale photography, and subjects that concentrate around waterholes.
Green Season Photography (May-November)
The green season is my personal favorite for serious wildlife work. Yes, it rains usually afternoon storms that clear by evening. But the forest comes alive in ways the dry season cannot match.
The trade-off: More difficult travel on unpaved roads, some lodges close or reduce capacity, and you will get wet. But the trade comes with extraordinary lusher landscapes, more dramatic skies, and fewer photographers competing for the same subjects.
Best for: Forest birds, tapirs, and mammals that are harder to find when water is abundant, frog and insect photography, and dramatic foliage.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
December-January: Transition period. Dry season begins. Good for most wildlife. Holiday crowds.
February-March: Peak dry season. Best overall conditions. Book accommodations early.
April: Shoulder month. Starting to heat up. Locals call it the verano (summer). Animals starting to concentrate around water.
May-June: Green season onset. Afternoon rains begin. Excellent for migratory birds finishing breeding. Fewer visitors.
July-August: Mid-green season. Often a dry spell called the veranillo (little summer). Good conditions, fewer crowds.
September-October: Peak green season. Most rain. Best for frogs, insects, and forest interior. Excellent for dedicated photographers who do not mind getting soaked.
November: Transition. Rains begin to ease. Excellent time for photography as the forest responds to coming dry season.
Photography Tips for Each Season
Dry Season:
- Wake up earlier the best light is in the first two hours after sunrise
- Work waterholes and river crossings where animals concentrate
- Bring polarizing filter for cutting glare off water and foliage
- Book popular lodges 3-6 months in advance
Green Season:
- Focus on the forest interior rather than waterholes
- Use midday storms as break time for reviewing shots and planning afternoon
- Protect gear with rain covers non-negotiable
- Embrace the dramatic skies as backgrounds
- Consider a macro lens for the explosion of insects and frogs
What About Humpback Whales?
If whale photography is your goal, timing depends on which population you are targeting:
- North Pacific (December-March): Best from Drake Bay and the Osa Peninsula
- South Pacific (July-November): Best from the Ballena Marine National Park area
The Bottom Line
There is no single best time to photograph wildlife in Costa Rica. The dry season offers convenience and classic light; the green season offers drama and exclusivity. Most serious wildlife photographers eventually come to appreciate both.
My recommendation: if it is your first trip, come in the dry season to build your foundation of species images. Then return in the green season to push your skills and capture the rainforest at its most vibrant.
Ready to plan your photography trip? Browse Costa Rica wildlife tours or see our guide to the best locations.