UV Index in Quepos, Costa Rica

Last updated: July 2, 2025

In Quepos, Costa Rica, being aware of the UV Index is crucial for maintaining skin health and preventing harmful sunburns. Understanding UV levels helps residents and visitors make informed decisions about sun exposure, especially during the peak hours when the index can reach a maximum of 14. Nestled in a tropical climate, Quepos experiences intense sunlight and elevated UV risks, particularly from late morning to early afternoon. By staying informed and taking protective measures, you can enjoy the vibrant beauty of Quepos while safeguarding your skin against damage.

Hourly UV Index in Quepos

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 Quepos

The UV Index experiences significant seasonal changes, peaking from March to May, with a maximum value of 15 in May, indicating an extreme exposure category and a rapid burn time of just 10 minutes throughout these months. January through April also shows high risk, maintaining extreme UV levels consistently. As summer transitions into autumn, the UV Index remains elevated but begins to slightly decrease, hovering around 13 from August to October. Even in late autumn and winter, November and December continue to pose risks with UV indexes of 11 and 10 respectively. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautionary measures, such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade, especially during peak UV months from March to May to prevent skin damage.

Monthly Maximum UV Index for Quepos, Costa Rica

The monthly maximum UV Index (UVI) represents the highest UV radiation level recorded each month in Quepos. 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 Quepos, 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 Quepos UV Index with Other Costa Rica Cities

The table above highlights how UV exposure in Quepos 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.

Quepos'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
Quepos	11	13	14	14	15	14	14	13	13	13	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