Things to Do in San Jose in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in San Jose
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Dry season reliability - January sits right in the sweet spot of San Jose's dry season, meaning you'll get mostly sunny days with those brief afternoon showers that actually cool things down rather than ruin plans. Rain typically hits between 2-4pm and lasts 20-30 minutes, so you can plan around it.
- Post-holiday pricing drop - By mid-January, hotel rates drop 25-35% compared to December holiday peaks. You're looking at downtown business hotels in the 90-120 USD range instead of 150-200 USD, and Airbnbs become genuinely negotiable. Book after January 10th for best deals.
- Festival season energy - January brings the Fiestas de Palmares (typically mid-to-late month), which transforms the entire Central Valley. Even if you don't attend the main events in Palmares town, San Jose itself buzzes with concert announcements, street vendors selling festival gear, and locals in a celebratory mood.
- Perfect hiking weather - The 70% humidity might sound high, but it's actually comfortable for the surrounding mountain trails. Mornings are crisp enough (around 15-18°C or 59-64°F) for the Barva Volcano or Poas Crater hikes, and cloud cover by afternoon prevents the brutal sun you'd get in March-April.
Considerations
- Windy season means flight delays - January is when the Papagayo winds kick up, especially in the second half of the month. SJO airport sees more delays and turbulent approaches than usual. If you're connecting through to beach destinations, build in 3-4 hour buffers, not the usual 2 hours.
- Unpredictable rain patterns - Those 10 rainy days are scattered randomly throughout the month, and lately the traditional dry season has been less reliable. You might get three straight days of afternoon downpours or a full week of sun. Pack for both scenarios and don't schedule outdoor activities you can't reschedule.
- Shoulder season for beach access - While San Jose itself is lovely in January, many travelers use it as a hub for Pacific beaches. The transition between rainy and dry season means some beach roads (particularly to southern zones like Uvita or Drake Bay) can still have rough patches. Factor in extra travel time or stick to established routes like Jaco or Manuel Antonio.
Best Activities in January
Central Valley Coffee Farm Tours
January is actually harvest season in the Central Valley, running from November through February. You'll see the full process from picking to processing, and the farms around San Jose (within 30-45 minutes drive) are at their most active. The morning temperatures of 15-18°C (59-64°F) make the uphill plantation walks comfortable, and you're tasting coffee that was literally picked that week. The afternoon rain pattern means tours typically run 7am-1pm, which works perfectly since you'll want to be back in the city for lunch anyway.
Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Hikes
The dry season mornings give you the best crater visibility you'll get all year. Poas opens at 8am, and January mornings tend to be clear until around 10-11am when clouds roll in. That UV index of 8 is serious at 2,708 m (8,885 ft) elevation, but the cool morning air makes the hike comfortable. La Paz Waterfall Gardens works as an afternoon backup when rain hits - the waterfalls are actually more impressive with recent rainfall, and the covered wildlife exhibits mean weather doesn't matter.
Mercado Central and Barrio Escalante Food Walks
January brings seasonal fruits you won't see other times - cas (sour guava), mamon chino (rambutan), and the tail end of coffee cherry season. The Mercado Central is covered, making it perfect for those rainy afternoons, and the humidity actually keeps produce looking fresh. Barrio Escalante's restaurant scene is at full energy post-holidays, with new menus launching in January. The neighborhood is compact enough (roughly 1.2 km or 0.75 miles end-to-end) that you can duck into cafes when rain hits.
Irazu Volcano and Orosi Valley Day Trips
Irazu at 3,432 m (11,260 ft) is cold in January mornings - you're looking at 5-8°C (41-46°F) at sunrise, which is a shocking contrast to San Jose's warmth. But this is exactly when you get those famous emerald crater lake photos without fog. The Orosi Valley below is lush from recent rains but roads are dry enough for easy driving. January is also when the Orosi church (built 1743) looks its best - the surrounding coffee fields are bright green with new growth.
San Jose Museum and Theater Circuit
January's variable weather makes this the perfect time to explore San Jose's actually impressive cultural scene. The National Theatre (Teatro Nacional) runs its full performance season January through April, with shows typically starting at 7:30pm. The Gold Museum and Jade Museum are both air-conditioned refuges from midday humidity, and they're rarely crowded in January. The museums cluster within a 10-block radius (roughly 1 km or 0.6 miles), so you can walk between them with cafe stops.
Tortuga Island and Gulf of Nicoya Boat Tours
While this requires a full day from San Jose (3 hours each way to Puntarenas), January is when the Gulf of Nicoya is at its calmest. The Pacific side is fully into dry season, meaning flat seas and visibility for snorkeling that peaks in January-February. You'll leave San Jose around 6am and return by 7pm, but the payoff is swimming in 27°C (81°F) water while San Jose gets its afternoon rain. The boat ride itself is smooth enough that even seasickness-prone travelers usually manage fine.
January Events & Festivals
Fiestas de Palmares
This is Costa Rica's biggest annual party, running for about 10 days in mid-to-late January in Palmares (about 45 minutes northwest of San Jose). While the main events happen in Palmares itself, San Jose becomes a staging ground with buses running constantly, bars showing the concerts on big screens, and a general festive energy. Expect major Latin American music acts, bullfighting (Costa Rican style - no killing, just dodging), carnival rides, and truly impressive quantities of beer consumption. Even if you don't go to Palmares, San Jose's nightlife feeds off the energy.
Alajuelita Patron Saint Festival
The Alajuelita district (southern San Jose metro area) celebrates its patron saint San Isidro Labrador in mid-January with religious processions, street food vendors, and live music. This is much more local and less touristy than Palmares - you'll be one of maybe a handful of foreign visitors. The procession route runs about 2 km (1.2 miles) through the neighborhood, and the food stalls afterwards serve traditional Costa Rican festival foods like chifrijo and arroz con pollo that you won't find in tourist zones.