San José, Costa Rica: vitamin D, best months and travel guide
Busy capital, mostly a transit point. Best for: transit stays.
The best months for vitamin D in San José are December to April, when a full dose takes about 6 minutes at midday. Rainy or stormy from May to November.
San José month by month
| Month | Rating | Sun window | Peak UV | Full dose, age 30 | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 7.7 h | 8.3 | 6 min | 27°C | 4/30 |
| February | Excellent | 7.5 h | 8.5 | 6 min | 27°C | 6/30 |
| March | Excellent | 8.0 h | 9.5 | 6 min | 29°C | 8/30 |
| April | Excellent | 8.1 h | 8.6 | 6 min | 28°C | 15/30 |
| May | Bad weather | 8.0 h | 8.6 | 6 min | 27°C | 21/30 |
| June | Bad weather | 6.5 h | 7.4 | 7 min | 24°C | 28/30 |
| July | Bad weather | 7.2 h | 8.1 | 7 min | 25°C | 24/30 |
| August | Bad weather | 7.7 h | 8.3 | 6 min | 25°C | 27/30 |
| September | Bad weather | 6.8 h | 7.8 | 7 min | 25°C | 29/30 |
| October | Bad weather | 7.4 h | 7.9 | 7 min | 24°C | 27/30 |
| November | Bad weather | 5.2 h | 5.9 | 9 min | 23°C | 29/30 |
| December | Excellent | 6.7 h | 7.2 | 7 min | 24°C | 17/30 |
Sun window is the number of hours a day with UV Index 2.5 or higher. Full dose is the minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm out of 30.
What to expect in San José
Busy capital, mostly a transit point. A dry season from December to April, a green season from May to November with afternoon rain, and humid heat on the coasts. Roads can be slow, and it is not a budget destination.
In San José afternoon highs average from 23°C in November to 29°C in March. The wettest month is September (about 29 rainy days out of 30) and the driest is January (4). Midday UV peaks at 9.5 in March, which is very strong, so protect your skin.
The capital (Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0)
This place is inland, so it does not count towards the country rating.
More about Costa Rica · Costa Rica in March · Best places in March
Questions about San José
When is the best time to visit San José for vitamin D?
The best months for vitamin D in San José are December to April, when a full dose takes about 6 minutes at midday.
What is the weather like in San José?
Afternoon highs average from 23°C in November to 29°C in March. The wettest month is September, with about 29 rainy days out of 30.
Which months should I avoid in San José?
For a beach stay, avoid the months when it is rainy or stormy from May to November.