Last updated: July 2, 2025
In Barrio Jesus, Costa Rica, understanding the UV Index is crucial for maintaining optimal skin health and preventing sunburn. With its typical tropical climate, residents and visitors alike experience high levels of UV radiation, especially during mid-day hours. Knowing UV levels empowers the community to take proactive measures against skin damage—from applying sunscreen to seeking shade—particularly when the index reaches a peak of 14 around noon. Being aware of these risks ensures that everyone can enjoy the beautiful sun-soaked days in Barrio Jesus while protecting their skin from the potential harms of excessive UV exposure.
The UV Index reveals a dramatic rise in sunlight intensity throughout the morning, peaking at an impressive 14 between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. This indicates a time when sun protection is vital, especially as it climbs swiftly from 2 at 07:00 AM to reach 8 by 09:00 AM, illustrating the day’s rapid increase in UV exposure. As the afternoon progresses, the index starts to decline, dropping to 5 at 3:00 PM before diminishing further to 1 by 5:00 PM and finally reaching 0 after 6:00 PM. Thus, the midday hours present the highest risk, calling for caution and proper sun safety measures!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 10:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 11:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 14 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 15:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index reflects consistently high levels of ultraviolet radiation, particularly from January to October where the index remains in the extreme category, peaking at 15 in both March and April. This means that residents and visitors should be particularly vigilant during these high-risk months, as the burn time for unprotected skin is only 10 minutes across most of this period. As the year progresses, November and December experience slightly lower UV levels, but caution is still advised, especially as November has a UV Index of 12 (extreme) and burn time of 10 minutes, while December dips to 10 (very high) with a longer burn time of 15 minutes. It is essential for everyone to take protective measures, including wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing, regardless of the season, to minimize the risk of skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limon UVI | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 10 |
| Liberia UVI | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| Barrio Jesus | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 |
| Alajuela UVI | 12 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 |
| San Jose UVI | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 11 |
| Paraiso UVI | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 11 |