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Hottest Central American Destinations. Sorted

Planning an escape to the tropics? Discover the hottest destinations in Central America with our live weather rankings. This region is a paradise of dual coastlines, stretching from the white sands of Mexico’s Riviera Maya to the lush, volcanic shores of Costa Rica and Panama.

Whether you are looking for the perfect winter sun in Belize, surfing weather in Nicaragua, or a humid jungle retreat in Guatemala, we track the highest temperatures across the isthmus. Use our live 5-day forecasts to find the best heat right now and book your flights and hotels with our “Same Price as Booking Direct” promise.

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When is the best time to visit Central America for sunshine?

The peak dry season across most of the region—including Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua—runs from December to April. During these months, you can expect clear blue skies and the lowest humidity. However, Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast (around Puerto Viejo) follows a different pattern and is often at its driest and sunniest in September and October, even while the rest of the country is in peak rainy season.

The “Green Season” (May to November) is the local term for the rainy season. While it sounds intimidating, it rarely rains all day. Typically, you’ll enjoy sunny mornings and a heavy tropical downpour in the late afternoon. The benefits include significantly lower prices on luxury resorts and lush, vibrant landscapes that turn dusty and yellow during the dry months.

It depends on your skill level and which coast you visit:

  • Pacific Coast (Tamarindo, San Juan del Sur, El Tunco): Best swells occur during the rainy season (May to November), offering powerful waves for intermediate and advanced surfers.

  • Caribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo, Bocas del Toro): The “surf window” is shorter and more unpredictable, usually firing between December and March.

  • Beginners: Stick to the dry season (December to April) for smaller, cleaner, and more manageable waves.

The Caribbean coastline—including Belize, Honduras (Bay Islands), and Mexico (Cancun/Tulum)—is the most susceptible to hurricanes, with the highest risk occurring in September and October. The Pacific coast and inland highland areas (like Antigua or Lake Atitlán) rarely experience direct hurricane hits, though they may see increased rainfall from passing storms.

Because of the high humidity and sudden rain, “quick-dry” fabrics are essential. Even in the hottest months, if you are visiting highland areas like San José or Guatemala City, bring a light sweater—the altitude keeps these cities significantly cooler than the coastal beach towns.

Since these are the most popular spots for “winter sun,” hotels can fill up quickly during the holiday season and school breaks. We recommend using our weather widgets above to find the best current weather and book your flight and hotel together to lock in the “Same Price as Booking Direct” rates.

Don’t get hit with massive roaming charges while checking your maps in the sun. We recommend using a service like Saily (by NordSecurity). You can set it up in one click before you land, ensuring you have data the second you step off the plane.