UV Index in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Last updated: July 2, 2025

In La Fortuna, Costa Rica, awareness of the UV Index is essential for safeguarding your skin and overall health under the tropical sun. With UV levels peaking at an intense 14 during midday, understanding these metrics is crucial for preventing sunburn and long-term skin damage. The region's humid tropical climate enhances sun exposure risks, making it vital for residents and visitors to check the UV forecast daily. By staying informed, you can make smarter choices about sun protection, ensuring your enjoyment of La Fortuna's breathtaking natural beauty without the burn.

Hourly UV Index in La Fortuna

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!

Average solar exposure data for the current time of the year. Actual values may vary and depend on many factors, such as cloud cover, vegetation cover, surface type, etc.
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

Monthly UV Index Trends in La Fortuna

The UV Index shows a consistently high to extreme level from January to October, peaking at 15 in March and April, which indicates a significant risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. High-risk months are from January through October, with stays at an extreme exposure category throughout this period and a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes. As we move into November and December, while the UV index drops slightly to 11 and 10, it is still categorized as very high and high, respectively, with a marginally increased burn time of 15 minutes in December. Visitors and residents should consistently use sun protection measures—such as sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade—particularly during the spring and summer months, to minimize risks associated with prolonged sun exposure.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for La Fortuna, Costa Rica

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in La Fortuna. It measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun and helps assess the risk of sunburn and UV-related health issues.

Data source: Statistical UV Index data for La Fortuna, based on information from the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

UV Risk Categories

Extreme (11+): Avoid the sun, stay in shade.
Very High (8-10): Limit sun exposure.
High (6-7): Use SPF 30+ and protective clothing.
Moderate (3-5): Midday shade recommended.
Low (0-2): No protection needed.

Compare La Fortuna UV Index with Other Costa Rica Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in La Fortuna compares to other major locations across Costa Rica. This comparison helps travelers and residents better understand regional sun intensity and plan outdoor activities with sun safety in mind.

La Fortuna's solar exposure compared to other cities in Costa Rica. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information.
	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
La Fortuna	12	13	15	15	14	14	14	13	13	14	11	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