Last updated: August 21, 2025
January in Santa Cruz, Costa Rica offers a warm tropical climate that's ideal for exploring the beautiful surroundings. With maximum temperatures soaring up to 36°C (97°F) and an average of 27°C (81°F), visitors can expect plenty of sunshine. Nights cool down to a comfortable 17°C (64°F), perfect for evening strolls. Rainfall is minimal, with only 12 mm (0.5 in) recorded over just two days of the month, allowing ample opportunity for outdoor activities. The average humidity of 66% adds a pleasant tropical feel to the air, making January a fantastic time to experience the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of this enchanting destination.
In January, Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, enjoys a delightful tropical climate, where temperatures range from a refreshing 17°C (64°F) at night to a sizzling 36°C (97°F) during the day, with an average of 27°C (81°F). This month marks the start of the year with pleasantly warm weather, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the stunning natural surroundings. As the months progress into February and March, temperatures gradually rise, peaking at an impressive 37°C (99°F), while the average daily temperatures hover around a comfortable 28°C (82°F). April ushers in even warmer days, reaching a high of 39°C (102°F), signalling the approach of the hottest months. By May, the temperatures remain high, but the arrival of the rainy season brings a welcome shift in the climate, offering some relief from the heat. Throughout the rest of the year, the temperatures begin to cool slightly, with averages settling around 26°C (79°F) to 28°C (82°F), providing a charming mix of warm days and refreshing evenings. This consistent warmth showcases Santa Cruz's inviting atmosphere, perfect for visitors year-round.
In January, Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, experiences a relatively dry start to the year, receiving only 12 mm (0.5 in) of precipitation over just 2 days. This minimal rainfall stands in stark contrast to the dramatically wetter months that follow, particularly from May to October, when precipitation frequently soars to over 350 mm and rainy days escalate to nearly daily deluges. As the season progresses, the transition becomes apparent as the dry spell of January gives way to the lush vibrancy of the wet season. This pattern not only highlights the region's significant seasonal shifts but also sets the stage for a lush, green landscape that characterizes Costa Rica's rainy months.
January in Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, enjoys an inviting average humidity level of 66%, setting the stage for a comfortable start to the year. As the months progress, humidity gradually decreases, peaking at 64% in February and further dropping to a consistent 63% from March through May. However, the tranquility of these early months gives way to a noticeable shift; from June onward, humidity surges dramatically, culminating in a high of 85% by July. This trend continues, with August, September, and October hovering around the 80% mark, before tapering to 79% in November and 70% in December. This cyclical rise and fall in humidity not only influences local weather patterns but also shapes the lush, vibrant landscape that defines this tropical paradise.
In Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, the UV Index in January stands at a striking 11, categorized as extreme, indicating that you can burn in just 10 minutes of sun exposure. This trend of high UV levels continues throughout the year, with February reaching 13, and peaking in March to May at 14. The summer months maintain this extreme category, showcasing the region's intense sunlight, while UV levels slightly decrease in August and September to 13 before falling to 11 in November and 10 in December, allowing for slightly more extended exposure times of 15 minutes in the latter month. Travelers and locals alike should remain vigilant about sun protection during this period, as the potential for sunburn is significant year-round. For more information, check out the Santa Cruz UV Index.
UV Risk Categories
January in Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, is greeted with an impressive 261 hours of sunshine, setting a cheerful tone for the year. As the months progress, the sunshine hours increase, peaking in March with 334 hours, suggesting a vibrant start to Spring. This sunny trend continues through April and July, where the warmth remains abundant, presenting ideal conditions for beachgoers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. However, from September onwards, the sunshine gracefully tapers off, reflecting a seasonal shift, with October experiencing the least at 245 hours. Overall, the month of January offers a promising hint of the bright days to come, making it a delightful time to soak in the sun before the year unfolds.
In Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, January shines as a promising month for sun-seekers, boasting a 60% chance of sunny weather. This optimism in the sky is part of a broader trend that showcases a gradual increase in sunshine from December’s 72% to February's peak at 67%. As the months progress, the likelihood of sunny days tends to wane, with March slightly dropping to 58% and then plunging to a mere 30% by April. The pattern continues through the rainy season from May to August, where the chances of sun dip significantly. As the year transitions back into late fall, the likelihood picks up again, signaling a welcome return to sunnier days. Thus, January stands as a delightful window of opportunity for enjoying the bright, tropical charm of Costa Rica before the clouds begin to gather.
In Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, January welcomes a consistent 11 hours of daylight, setting the stage for a month filled with outdoor adventures and vibrant local festivities. This trend of 11 hours continues into February, creating a smooth transition as the days gradually lengthen. By March, daylight increases to 12 hours, and this abundance of sunlight persists through the rainy months of April to August. Here, the prolonged daylight offers ample time for exploration, even as showers become more frequent. As autumn approaches in September, the duration stabilizes at 12 hours, providing a bright backdrop for the lush landscapes. Finally, daylight begins to wane as October rolls in, mirroring the patterns seen in November and December, where shorter days return to 11 hours. Overall, January serves as a delightful introduction to a beautifully predictable cycle of daylight that enhances the charm of this tropical destination.
In January, the wind in Santa Cruz, Costa Rica begins the year with a gentle average speed of 3.5 m/s (8 mph), setting a serene tone for the month. This pace is slightly lower than February's 3.6 m/s, but overall, the early months of the year tend to feature moderate breezes. As spring approaches in March, wind speeds increase to a lively 4.0 m/s (9 mph), inviting outdoor activities and vibrant coastal scenes. However, the winds start to taper off after this peak, with April offering a more tranquil 2.5 m/s and May following closely at 2.2 m/s. The summer months see further declines, particularly in June with a mere 1.5 m/s, accentuating the calm, almost serene ambience of the coastal area. Despite a slight uptick in November, the overall trend reveals that January serves as a delightful prelude to a season characterized more by gentle whispers than energetic gusts.
Weather in Santa Cruz varies notably across the year, with each month offering distinct climate conditions. This page compares January’s weather to other months in Santa Cruz, focusing on differences in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and UV levels.
In comparing January and February weather, January features a slightly broader temperature range with a minimum of 17°C (64°F), averaging 27°C (81°F), and a maximum of 36°C (97°F). It experiences moderate humidity at 66% and a total precipitation of 12 mm (0.5 in) over two days. In contrast, February sees warmer temperatures overall, with a minimum of 19°C (66°F), an average of 28°C (82°F), and a maximum of 37°C (99°F). Notably, February has significantly less precipitation at just 2 mm (0.1 in) and enjoys a drier atmosphere with 0 rainy days and a humidity level of 64%. For more detailed information, refer to Santa Cruz weather in February.
In January, the weather is characterized by a minimum temperature of 17°C (64°F), with an average of 27°C (81°F) and a maximum reaching 36°C (97°F). This month typically sees about 12 mm (0.5 in) of precipitation over 2 days and maintains a humidity level of 66%. In contrast, March experiences slightly warmer conditions with a minimum temperature of 20°C (69°F), an average of 28°C (83°F), and a peak temperature of 37°C (99°F). Additionally, March boasts much drier weather, with only 4 mm (0.1 in) of precipitation over no rainy days and a slightly lower humidity of 63%. For more details, visit Santa Cruz weather in March.
In comparing the weather of January and April, January features a slightly lower temperature range, with minimums of 17°C (64°F) and maximums reaching 36°C (97°F), while April sees higher temperatures, with a minimum of 22°C (71°F) and a maximum of 39°C (102°F). Additionally, January experiences minimal precipitation of only 12 mm (0.5 in) over two days, whereas April is significantly wetter, accumulating 51 mm (2.0 in) over nine days. Despite the increase in rainfall, April's humidity remains fairly consistent at 63%, just slightly less than January's 66%. For a more detailed look at what to expect during April, check out Santa Cruz weather in April.
In comparing the weather between January and May, it's clear that May experiences significantly warmer conditions, with minimum temperatures rising from 17°C (64°F) in January to 23°C (73°F) in May. The average temperatures remain relatively close, at 27°C (81°F) in January versus 28°C (82°F) in May, but May boasts higher maximum temperatures of 38°C (101°F) compared to January’s 36°C (97°F). Precipitation levels, however, tell a different story; January sees only 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain over just 2 days, while May is quite wet with 286 mm (11.2 in) of rain falling across 22 days. This results in a slightly lower humidity level in May at 63%, compared to January's 66%. For more detailed information, you can check out Santa Cruz weather in May.
In January, the weather in Santa Cruz is characterized by warmer temperatures, with a minimum of 17°C (64°F) and an average of 27°C (81°F). The month sees minimal precipitation, with only 12 mm (0.5 in) over just 2 days and a humidity level of 66%. In contrast, June brings a more humid climate, with temperatures starting at a minimum of 22°C (72°F) but maintaining the same average and maximum of 27°C (80°F) and 36°C (97°F) respectively. However, June is significantly wetter, registering nearly 359 mm (14.1 in) of rainfall across 26 days and a humidity increase to 74%. For a detailed look at the weather conditions in Santa Cruz during June, visit Santa Cruz weather in June.
In January, the weather is generally warm with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 17°C (64°F) to a maximum of 36°C (97°F). The average temperature is around 27°C (81°F), and the month experiences relatively low precipitation, with only 12 mm (0.5 in) over about 2 days and humidity levels at 66%. In contrast, July is warmer at night, with minimum temperatures of 21°C (71°F) and a slightly lower maximum of 35°C (95°F). July is also much wetter, receiving 215 mm (8.4 in) of rain over approximately 23 days and higher humidity at 85%. For a more detailed look at the weather in July, you can visit Santa Cruz weather in July.
In January, the weather is generally warm with an average temperature of 27°C (81°F), peaking at a maximum of 36°C (97°F), while the minimum temperature rarely drops below 17°C (64°F). Precipitation is quite low during this month, with only 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain over just 2 days, and humidity levels are around 66%. In contrast, August brings noticeable changes, featuring a slightly cooler average temperature of 26°C (80°F) and a higher minimum of 22°C (71°F), but with a maximum that still reaches 35°C (95°F). However, August is characterized by much heavier rainfall, totaling 290 mm (11.4 in) over 25 days, and the humidity rises to 82%. For a detailed account of the August weather conditions, you can refer to the following link: Santa Cruz weather in August.
In January, the weather in Santa Cruz is generally warm and dry, with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 17°C (64°F) to a maximum of 36°C (97°F). The month sees only 12 mm (0.5 in) of rainfall over two days and maintains a moderate humidity level of 66%. In contrast, September experiences a shift towards cooler temperatures, with a minimum of 22°C (71°F) and a maximum of 34°C (93°F). However, it is significantly wetter, receiving 353 mm (13.9 in) of rain across 28 days, and the humidity rises to 80%. This stark difference highlights the transition from the dry season in January to the rainy season in September. For more insights on September's weather, you can visit Santa Cruz weather in September.
January and October showcase stark contrasts in weather patterns. In January, temperatures range from a minimum of 17°C (64°F) to a maximum of 36°C (97°F), with an average of 27°C (81°F). Precipitation is relatively low, with only 12 mm (0.5 in) recorded over two days, and humidity levels are at 66%. In contrast, October experiences milder temperatures, with a minimum of 21°C (71°F) and a maximum of 33°C (92°F), averaging 26°C (79°F). However, this month sees a significant increase in rainfall, totaling 407 mm (16.0 in) spread over 29 days, resulting in higher humidity at 79%. For more detailed information, you can check Santa Cruz weather in October.
In January, the weather tends to be warmer and drier, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 17°C (64°F) to a maximum of 36°C (97°F). The average temperature settles at around 27°C (81°F), with only 12 mm (0.5 in) of precipitation over just 2 days, resulting in a humidity level of 66%. In contrast, November features slightly cooler temperatures with a minimum of 20°C (68°F) and a maximum of 33°C (93°F), averaging at 26°C (79°F). However, it is significantly wetter, receiving 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain over 15 days, which contributes to a higher humidity of 79%. For more detailed information, check out Santa Cruz weather in November.
In comparing the weather of January and December, January tends to be slightly warmer, with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of 17°C (64°F) to a maximum of 36°C (97°F), while December's temperatures are milder, with a minimum of 20°C (69°F) and a maximum of 35°C (95°F). Additionally, January experiences less rainfall, averaging only 12 mm (0.5 in) over just 2 days, compared to December, which sees a total of 31 mm (1.2 in) of precipitation over 4 days. Humidity levels are also slightly lower in January at 66%, compared to 70% in December. For more insights on December weather, you can visit Santa Cruz weather in December.
January in Santa Cruz offers warm temperatures and relatively low precipitation, making it a delightful escape compared to the wetter months that follow. With an average temperature of 27°C (81°F) and only a couple of rain-soaked days, this month stands out for its inviting climate, perfect for outdoor adventures. While humidity remains at a moderate 66%, the comfortable conditions encourage exploring the vibrant natural beauty of the region. For those intrigued by what Santa Cruz has to offer throughout the year, dive deeper into the nuances of its weather by visiting Santa Cruz Climate.