October and November in Uvita: The Green Season Secret

Did you know October and November are, in Uvita, the months when the jungle is at its greenest, the waterfalls run at their fullest, and the town empties out of tourists? It’s not a season for everyone — but for the traveler looking for a different kind of Costa Rica, with more quiet and better rates, it’s probably the best-kept secret of the year.

The honest truth about the weather

Let’s be upfront: October is the rainiest month of the year on the South Pacific coast — rainy enough that several local tourism businesses close temporarily due to low demand. If you come in October, take it for what it is: heavy downpours, rougher seas, and a town that’s practically yours alone.

November is a different story. The weather starts shifting toward the dry season: sunny mornings, afternoon showers that cool things down without ruining your plans, pleasant temperatures (22°C to 29°C / 72–84°F), and the jungle at its greenest and lushest point of the year. It’s still quiet season — few tourists, low rates — but with much more cooperative weather than October.

Why it’s still worth coming

• Waterfalls at their absolute best: Nauyaca and the Uvita Waterfall (600 meters from the hotel) run at full volume — they never look as spectacular as they do in green season.
• Beaches, trails, and restaurants nearly to yourself — without the lines or crowds of December through April.
• Low-season rates, the most accessible of the year at Hotel Uvita Forest.
• The jungle at its most lush — deep green, full rivers, more active wildlife.

What to do: culture and land-based nature

During rainy season, land-based and cultural activities are your best bet — they don’t depend on calm seas. Here’s our lineup for these months:

• Night Safari — a guided night walk with a naturalist guide and special spotlights, ideal for spotting frogs, insects, and nocturnal wildlife that only comes out with the humidity. 2 to 2.5 hours, easy difficulty.
• Birdwatching — an early start (~5:30am) with an expert ornithologist guide and spotting scope. 2 to 3 hours.
• Stone Spheres Archaeological Site (Finca 6) — a UNESCO World Heritage museum and site, indoors, ideal for a rainy day. 1 to 2 hours.
• Mangrove Boat Tour — a covered-boat trip through the Sierpe mangroves with an expert flora and fauna guide. 3 to 4 hours.
• Local Market / Farmers’ Market — Saturday mornings only, fresh produce and local flavor.

Which of these would you like to add to your stay? Message us and we’ll coordinate everything with the operator — dates, price, and meeting point.

A day of indigenous culture: the Boruca community

If you have a free day and don’t mind driving (a 4×4 is needed for the final stretch), it’s worth visiting Boruca, an indigenous community about 1.5 hours from Uvita — along the coastal highway to Palmar Sur, then the Pan-American Highway toward Buenos Aires, followed by roughly 8km of uphill road. It’s the birthplace of the famous hand-carved masks and natural-dye weaving: you can visit artisans’ workshops and buy original pieces straight from the makers. (Purple sea-snail dye extraction only happens in January–February, and the big Diablitos festival is in December — in October–November, the experience is quieter: workshops, craftsmanship, and everyday village life.) It’s not a tour we coordinate directly through the hotel, but we’re happy to help you plan the route if you’re interested.

Practical tips for this time of year

Plan outdoor activities for the morning (usually clearer) and save afternoons for indoor plans or rest. Bring quick-dry clothing, a light rain jacket, and closed shoes you don’t mind getting wet. And if waterfalls are on your list, this is literally the best time of year to see them — with more water, they look better than ever.

Book your green-season getaway

Hotel Uvita Forest is minutes from Marino Ballena National Park and the Uvita Waterfall, and 1.5 hours from Boruca. With eight rooms, a private pool, and fiber-optic Wi-Fi, it’s the perfect base to explore this different kind of season — at the lowest rates of the year.