November is Jacó's turning point: the rain eases from week to week toward the December dry season, hotels in our sample stayed near low-season rates, and the waterfalls in the hills run full after months of rain. Here is what November 2026 looks like and how to plan it.
What You Should Know
- November is the transition month. Quepos, the nearest long-term station to the south, falls from 534 mm in October to 349 mm in November, and Puntarenas, to the north, from 24.5 rain days to 14.7, so expect drier days as the month goes on.
- Prices stay low. In our hotel sample for November 2026, most weeknights were about $136 to $147 and most Saturdays $152 to $163, below the $160 to $190 that the hotels in our sample were quoting a year ahead for dry-season dates. Saturday 21 November was an unexplained outlier at about $203.
- The waterfalls are at their fullest. After months of rain, the falls on the hike above Jacó run full; a November hiker found them full after a rainy night, and others describe clear, chilly pools.
- Some green-season bonuses remain. Whales still turn up in 6 of 82 Costa Cat Tortuga Island reviews posted in November, and olive ridley turtles nest at the Playa Hermosa refuge until December.
November in Jacó: The Honest Picture
⭐ Best November 2026 window: 22 to 30 November, midweek. The second half of the month is drier than the first, weeknights in our sample were still about $142 to $147, including US Thanksgiving on Thursday 26 November, and the dry-season price rise had not started.
| Factor | November Rating |
|---|---|
| Weather | 6/10: wet early, drying toward December |
| Crowds | 8/10: quiet before the December rush |
| Prices | 8/10: low-season rates in our sample |
| Beach & Swimming | 6/10: warm sea; swell easing; rips still present |
| Surf | 7/10: green-season swell for improvers |
| Boat Trips | 8/10: Playa Fantasia and Tortuga Island running |
| Waterfalls & Hills | 8/10: falls run full; trails still muddy |
| Families | 6/10: schools in session; rain still likely |
| Couples | 8/10: quiet, green and good value |
💰 November hotel prices in our sample (Jacó, 3 to 4 star, room for two):
Weeknights: ~$136–147/night · Saturdays: ~$152–163/night · Saturday 21 November: ~$203 · Thanksgiving, Thursday 26 November: ~$142
Median of 15 to 22 Jacó hotels that returned a November 2026 rate, checked 20 October 2026. A small sample, so treat the pattern as more reliable than the exact figures.
Planning Jacó for November 2026? November is when Jacó starts to turn from the green season toward the dry season. The weather figures here are long-term normals from the nearest official stations, not a forecast; the prices and schedules are what we found for November 2026 dates when we checked on 20 October.
A November trip to Jacó is wetter at the start than at the end. Early in the month, rain still falls on most days; by late November, dry spells become more common, the swell starts to ease and the town is still quiet before the December holidays. The forest is at its greenest and the waterfalls are at their fullest after the long rainy season.
We'd lean toward late November for travelers who want green scenery and low prices with a better chance of sun. In our view it is the best-value window of the year for a beach-and-waterfalls trip, with the caveat that rain is still likely on some days.
Who November suits best:
- Value seekers: low-season hotel rates before the dry-season rise.
- Waterfall and nature lovers: the falls and forest are at their most lush.
- Couples: quiet beaches, green hills and the first drier days.
- Guaranteed-sun beach trips: less ideal. December to April is the reliable window.
Jacó Weather in November
| Metric | November |
|---|---|
| Avg High | 30°C (86°F) |
| Avg Low | 23°C (73°F) |
| Water Temp | 28°C (82°F) |
| Rain Days | ~15–23 |
| Humidity | High, easing |
| Wind | Low to moderate |
| Rain Level | Moderate to high (transition month) |
Temperature and Humidity
Highs run around 30°C (86°F), with nights near 23°C (73°F). Quepos to the south averages 29.8°C and 22.6°C in November, and Puntarenas, across the Gulf of Nicoya, 31.8°C and 22.8°C. Humidity begins to ease as the rain drops off. Sunrise moves from 05:28 to 05:39, and sunset holds near 17:15, among the earliest of the year.
Rain Pattern
November is the turn of the season. Quepos averages 349 mm over 23.2 rain days, down from 534 mm in October, and Puntarenas 132 mm over 14.7 days, down from 279 mm, so expect roughly 15 to 23 days with some rain around Jacó, with more of them early in the month. December is the real change: Quepos falls to about 160 mm over 15 days and Puntarenas to 28 mm over 6. Puntarenas averages about six hours of sunshine a day in November.
Sea and Outdoor Conditions
The sea stays near 28°C (82°F). Green-season swell begins to ease, but rip currents are still present. Trails are muddy early in the month and start to firm up later. The waterfalls are at their fullest after the rainy season; one November hiker described the falls as full after overnight rain but "not as white as usual", as the rainwater clouds them.
November in Jacó: Crowds and Prices Week by Week
November has no Costa Rican national holiday, and schools are in session, so it is one of the quietest months before the December rush.
- 1 to 14 November: in our sample, Wednesday 4 cost about $139, Saturday 7 about $152, Wednesday 11 about $136 and Saturday 14 about $153.
- 15 to 21 November: Wednesday 18 was about $147. Saturday 21 November stood out at about $203 in our sample; we found no national holiday to explain it, so it may reflect a local event or a few hotels selling out, and it is worth comparing a Friday or Sunday instead.
- 22 to 30 November: Wednesday 25 about $147, US Thanksgiving on Thursday 26 about $142 and Saturday 28 about $163. Prices had not yet started their December climb; Wednesday 2 December was about $150.
Tour prices are unchanged, and nearly every date was open when we checked. A few were already unavailable: the Playa Fantasia catamaran on 4, 15 and 27 November, the zipline on 4 and 5 November, and the night walk on 22 and 25 November. Thanksgiving week can bring more visitors from the United States, so book that week's boat trips a little earlier.
Full Waterfalls and the Last of the Green Season
November's signature draw near Jacó is the forest at the end of the rainy season: green hills, full rivers and waterfalls at their most powerful, with drier days arriving as the month goes on.
The 10-Waterfall Hike
The waterfall hike at Finca los Solís, five minutes from Jacó, follows a river up through ten waterfalls and eight natural pools, with ropes on the steeper climbs. November hikers describe clear, chilly water and "cold and exhilarating" swims, and a November 2023 hiker found the falls full after a rainy night. It is strenuous: guests describe steep, rocky sections, swims across pools and climbs up the side of falls. When a past October group was rained off, their guide let them finish on another day.
Boats Before the Dry Season
Both of the area's best-known boat trips are running. The Playa Fantasia catamaran sails at 08:30 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and the Tortuga Island trip at 07:15 daily. Whales still appear in 6 of 82 Costa Cat reviews posted in November, about one in fourteen, the tail of the southern humpback season.
Turtles at Playa Hermosa
Olive ridley turtles nest from July to December at the Playa Hermosa–Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge, just south of Jacó, and eggs hatch after about 45 to 50 days. At night, use only red or amber light, keep at least 10 metres from turtles and never touch nests or hatchlings.
Green-Season Wildlife
Our Jacó wildlife tours guide compares seven ways to see macaws, crocodiles, monkeys and sloths, including Carara National Park, open from 08:00 until the end of November and from 07:00 from December.
What to Watch in November: Lingering Rain, Mud and the Sea
November is easier than October, but the rainy season is not over yet.
Rain Early in the Month
The first half of November is still wet. Plan outdoor tours for the morning, keep afternoons flexible and give yourself a spare day for anything weather-dependent, especially the waterfall hike and boat trips.
Strenuous, Slippery Trails
The waterfall hike is not for everyone in any month, and wet rock makes it harder. Wear shoes that can get soaked and still grip, bring a change of clothes, and be honest about your fitness: November reviewers call it one of the more strenuous hikes they have done.
Rip Currents
Swell eases through November, but rip currents form on Jacó Beach in every season. Swim near the municipal lifeguard towers, follow their flags, avoid darker, foamy channels flowing out to sea, and if you are caught, swim parallel to the shore and raise an arm. The emergency number is 911.
Book the Thanksgiving Week a Little Earlier
Hotel rates in our sample barely moved for Thanksgiving, but boat trips and small tours can fill with US visitors that week. Reserve before you travel.
Where to Stay on a November Trip to Jacó
November rates in our sample were low and steady, with one unexplained jump on Saturday 21 November, so check that date if it falls in your trip.
Most visitors stay in the center, near Avenida Pastor Díaz, within walking distance of the beach, restaurants and tour pickups. The south end of Jacó Beach is quieter, and Los Sueños on Playa Herradura, about 10 minutes north, is the resort-and-marina choice and the departure point for the Tortuga Island catamarans.
Compare Live Jacó Hotel Prices for November
Live rates from our hotel reservation system for a sample three-night stay in November for two adults, so you can see what a November trip costs before you pick tours.
Change the dates at checkout to match your own trip, and book with instant email confirmation.
- Priced for November
- Instant confirmation by email
- Live rates, not brochure prices
- Free cancellation on selected rates
Croc's Resort & Casino
One of the largest resorts in Jacó, on the beach at the north end of town, with pools, four restaurants and a casino. Guests praise the clean, spacious rooms; food and casino drinks are pricey.
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
The luxury option on Playa Herradura, about 10 minutes north of Jacó, beside the Los Sueños marina where the Tortuga Island catamarans leave. Beach, golf course, spa and kids' club; extras add up.
Club del Mar Oceanfront
Oceanfront rooms and apartments at the quiet south end of Jacó Beach, with a pool, restaurant and bar. Guests rate the location and staff highly; it is a short taxi ride to the center.
Best Western Jaco Beach All Inclusive Resort
Jacó's big beachfront all-inclusive in the center of town, with pools and children's activities. Guests like the staff and the kids' program; rooms are dated and the sea out front is rough.
Apartotel Girasol
Beachfront apartments with kitchens, a pool and a garden gate onto the sand, a short walk from the restaurants on the main strip. The highest guest score in this list.
Hotel Mar de Luz
A quiet garden hotel in the center, a few minutes' walk from the beach, with pools, a hot tub and rooms with kitchenettes. Guests praise the breakfast and staff; there is no restaurant or bar.
Indicative nightly rate for 3 nights, Nov 15 – 18, 2026, 2 adults. Live pricing at checkout.Room only. Local taxes and fees are added at checkout and can add roughly 20%.
Search all resorts & dates →Waterfalls Finca los Solís: Hike 10 Waterfalls in Jacó
The outing we'd book first in November. After months of rain the ten waterfalls run full and the pools are clear and cold, and the hike starts five minutes from Jacó. A guide leads you up the river with ropes on the steep sections, a dry bag for your phone, fruit on the trail and photos afterwards, and the lunch option adds a home-cooked meal at the farm. It is strenuous and runs Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; take the 08:00 start.
Book NowThe Best Things to Do in Jacó This November
Every tour we cover around Jacó runs in November 2026, including both Playa Fantasia catamarans. The table rates each activity for the month; mornings remain the safest time for anything outdoors.
| Activity | November Rating | Best Time of Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfall Hike | 9/10 | 08:00 | Falls at their fullest; strenuous; no Mon or Wed; from $55 |
| Playa Fantasia Catamaran | 9/10 | 08:30 | Wed, Fri and Sun; half day; from $158.94 |
| Tortuga Island Tour | 8/10 | Full day from 07:15 | Whales in about one November review in fourteen |
| Carara National Park | 8/10 | 08:00 | Green, quiet forest; ticket-included walks from $45 |
| Tárcoles Crocodile Tour | 8/10 | 08:30 | Runs daily; from $40 |
| Horseback Riding | 8/10 | 07:00 | Jungle, river and beach; muddy early in the month |
| Zipline | 8/10 | 08:00–10:00 | Seven departures; from $75 |
| Night Walk | 8/10 | 17:30 | Frogs, snakes and owls; from $70 |
| Surf Lessons | 7/10 | Early morning | Swell easing; better for beginners late in the month |
| ATV Tour | 7/10 | 09:00 | Runs in all weather; muddy early in the month |
| Food Tour | 8/10 | Late afternoon | Sunset stop near 17:15 |
Best in November
We'd give the waterfall hike the edge for active travelers this month, because the falls will not look this full again until next year's rains. For a gentler day, the Playa Fantasia catamaran is a half day on the water and a beach reached only by boat. The Tortuga Island trip keeps a small chance of a whale.
For Late November
As the rain eases, the horseback ride to Jacó Beach and the ocean-view zipline get more reliable, and surf lessons become more beginner-friendly as the swell drops toward the dry season.
More November Activities Worth Knowing About
These November-friendly experiences do not have their own guides on this site yet.
Playa Hermosa
Five minutes south of Jacó, Playa Hermosa is a powerful beach break for experienced surfers only, and its beach is the turtle-nesting refuge until December. Stick to marked areas at night and follow the refuge's rules.
Herradura Bay
The bay beside the Los Sueños marina, about 20 minutes north, is more sheltered than open Jacó Beach and the gentler choice for a swim while the swell is still up.
Thanksgiving in Jacó
US Thanksgiving falls on Thursday 26 November in 2026. It is not a Costa Rican holiday, but the week can bring more visitors from the United States, so book popular tours a little earlier.
Early Sunsets
Sunset holds near 17:15 all month, among the earliest of the year, so plan beach walks for the late afternoon.
Our Take
Book November late in the month if you can: in our sample the hotel rates are almost the same in the last week as the first, but the weather normally improves week by week, and the full waterfalls and green hills of the rainy season are still there when the drier days arrive.
Tips for a November Trip to Jacó
- Aim for the second half of the month: the rain usually eases toward December, while our sampled hotel rates barely changed.
- Book the waterfall hike for a morning, with lunch: the 08:00 start beats the afternoon rain, and guests rate the farm lunch highly.
- Bring shoes that can get soaked: the hike crosses the river and climbs wet rock; the guide provides a dry bag for phones.
- Avoid Saturday 21 November if your dates are flexible: our sample showed it at about $203, against about $152 to $163 on other November Saturdays.
- Reserve Thanksgiving-week boat trips early: US visitors arrive that week.
- Swim near a lifeguard tower: rip currents form on Jacó Beach in every season.
- Visiting at a different time of year? Our Jacó in October guide covers the lowest hotel prices of the year and the Playa Fantasia catamaran, and our Jacó in December guide covers the start of the dry season and the Christmas and New Year peak.
- Not sure what to book? Our best things to do in Jacó guide ranks the top nine experiences year-round and covers the free ones, from the beach to the crocodile bridge.
- Where to stay. Our best hotels in Jacó guide ranks 12 hotels by guest score, from $66 a night in our sample.
How We Put This Guide Together
Jacó has no long-running official weather station of its own, so the weather figures are World Meteorological Organization normals for the two nearest stations, Quepos (1984 to 2003) and Puntarenas, with Jacó placed between them; sea temperature is a long-term average from published sea-temperature records, and sunrise and sunset are calculated for Jacó's coordinates. These are normals, not a forecast for November 2026. Hotel prices are the median nightly rate for a room for two at 3 to 4 star Jacó hotels that returned a price for each November 2026 date when we checked on 20 October 2026; only 15 to 22 hotels quoted, so treat them as a pattern. Tour prices, schedules, cancellation terms and November availability were checked live the same day. The waterfall, whale and difficulty notes come from reading every review of the Finca los Solís waterfall hike and Costa Cat's Tortuga Island trip and sorting them by the month they were posted. Turtle-nesting dates for the Playa Hermosa refuge come from Costa Rican news reporting, and Carara's hours from our Carara National Park tour guide. Ratings in the tables are our editorial judgment of how November suits each activity, not guest scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacó good in November?+
Yes, especially in the second half of the month. November is the turn from the green season toward the dry season: rain eases week by week, the waterfalls and forest are at their lushest, the town is quiet, and in our sample hotel rates stayed near low-season levels, about $136 to $147 on most weeknights.
What is the weather like in Jacó in November?+
Warm, humid and drying out. Expect highs around 30°C (86°F), nights near 23°C and roughly 15 to 23 days with some rain, judging by the nearest stations at Quepos (23.2 days) and Puntarenas (14.7 days), with more of the rain early in the month.
Is November a good time for the waterfall hike in Jacó?+
It is one of the best. After the rainy season, the falls at Finca los Solís run full and the pools are clear and cold, according to November hikers. The hike is strenuous, with river crossings and rope climbs, so book the 08:00 start and bring shoes that can get wet.
How much does it rain in Jacó during November?+
Less than in October. Quepos averages 349 mm over about 23 rain days in November and Puntarenas 132 mm over about 15, against 534 mm and 279 mm in October. December is much drier again.
Is November cheap in Jacó?+
Yes, by Jacó standards. In our sample for November 2026, most weeknights cost about $136 to $147 and most Saturdays $152 to $163. Saturday 21 November was an outlier at about $203. Rates had not yet started their December rise.
What is the best week to visit Jacó in November 2026?+
22 to 30 November, ideally midweek. The weather normally improves toward the end of the month, and our sample showed weeknights at about $142 to $147, including US Thanksgiving on Thursday 26 November.
What are the best things to do in Jacó in November?+
The 10-waterfall hike at its fullest, the Playa Fantasia catamaran and the Tortuga Island trip, a morning in Carara National Park and the Tárcoles crocodile boat. Horseback rides, the zipline and surf lessons get more reliable as the month goes on.
Is Jacó busy at Thanksgiving?+
Only a little. US Thanksgiving, on Thursday 26 November in 2026, brings American visitors, but hotel rates in our sample did not rise (about $142 that night). Book boat trips and small tours for that week a little earlier.
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