Jilcha

I'm leaving for my second trip to CR in just a few days. I'll be making my first trip to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. I understand that it is cooler there than the other areas I have visited, but how cool? I'm preparing to bring long pants, shirt, and a light jacket/rain coat. Is that enough?

volcanogirl

We were there in July, and it was quite cold and rainy. At night I wore a sweatshirt and a fleece jacket. Our hotel had a restaurant with a fireplace, and every night we couldn't wait to get in there and sit by the fire. It was by far the coldest place we've been in CR. It poured rain during our night hike, and we got drenched - forgot the rain ponchos back in the room! Temps were warmer during the day - I wore short sleeves and long pants.

jbella

Been there a couple of times.

Nov. the weather was very comfortable with short sleeves and pants in day time, jacket at night.

Mar. it was the a little cooler but still warm. Only once did it drizzle ALL day. Short showers (but wet) sometimes.

shillmac

We were there once in July. It was hotter than heck, no rain. I think you never can tell, but chilly is more the norm. I'd be prepared with a lightweight fleece jacket. Have you asked your hotel what to expect in the next few days? I don't think the weather sites online are all that reliable.

volcanogirl

In case of rain, I'd bring a couple of plastic bags along to pack wet clothes - my sweatshirt and shoes never did dry. Even though the weather didn't always cooperate we still liked Monteverde - loved the night hike even in the rain, and we got to see quetzals during the day.

colibri

We were there in March, so dry that the guides were quite worried about the lack of rain. We would have sweatshirts, lightweight jacket in the mornings and evenings, T-shirt in the afternoon, never had shorts on for the four days we were there.
A pair of quetzals were very easy to spot in the MV Reserve parking lot feeding off a fruit tree.
Be sure to hire guides for all of your hikes in the reserves since they will point out many things you will miss on your own.
Don't miss the Hummingbird Gallery right next to MV Reserve, Stella's Bakery and CASEM, a women's co-op with great gifts across from Stella's.

Jilcha

Thank you for all of your replies. I'm going to be prepared and bring a long shirt, fleece, and light jacket just to be on the safe side. Coming from our frigid Michigan winter, I don't want to be too cold on vacation! We'll be visiting Bocas del Toro as well as Cahuita, there will be ample time to be warmed up by the sun. Thanks again, and Pura Vida!

shillmac

Nice choices! Buen viaje. . .

volcanogirl

That sounds perfect. We saw people in Monteverde and at the Peace Lodge wearing shorts in the frigid weather. One family we talked to said they never imagined it could be so cold in CR - they had to buy sweatshirts at the gift shop!