Climate Overview
The climate in El Tortuguero is hot. The average annual temperature is 26°C and approximately 1989mm of precipitation falls per year. El Tortuguero receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. El Tortuguero is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: May, April, September. The coldest months are January, February, March, when temperatures can drop to 22°C.
Temperature
El Tortuguero has relatively stable temperatures year-round, staying within a 10°C range. The warmest month is May, when average highs reach 32°C and the mean temperature sits around 27°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 22°C and an average of 25°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 7°C between highs and lows.
Precipitation
El Tortuguero is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1989mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 166mm per month. The wettest month is June, averaging 289mm of rainfall. October and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is March, with just 43mm. That's 246mm less than June, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.
Wind
El Tortuguero is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 13km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 15km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in October, with average winds dropping to 10km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 5km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 14km/h in winter, 13km/h in spring, 12km/h in summer, 11km/h in autumn.
Seasons
89 days until Summer
It is currently spring in El Tortuguero, which began on March 20, 2026. El Tortuguero is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in May at around 32°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 22°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 22 to 32°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 283mm for the season, averaging 94mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 13km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 24 to 31°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 764mm across the season with a monthly average of 255mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 12km/h. Light, breathable clothing is ideal — perfect conditions for outdoor activities.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 23 to 31°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 726mm across the season with a monthly average of 242mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 11km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 22 to 29°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 215mm for the season, averaging 72mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 14km/h. A light jacket or sweater is usually sufficient, though cooler evenings may call for an extra layer.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit El Tortuguero is during January and February, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 25°C with modest rainfall averaging 53mm per month. By contrast, May can be uncomfortably hot with temperatures reaching 32°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for El Tortuguero based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.
