May is the start of the green season in Jacó: mornings are usually bright, afternoons bring storms, the hills turn green and the beaches empty out. Hotel rates in our sample had not yet dropped, but tour groups are small and the town is calm. Here is how to plan a May trip around the rain.
What You Should Know
- May is when the rains return. Quepos, the nearest long-term station to the south, averages about 389 mm over 23 rain days in May, against 157 mm in April, so plan on most days bringing some rain, usually after a brighter morning.
- The green season makes Jacó quiet. Off-season tour groups are far smaller than in the dry months, and one May zipline family ended up with a private tour; book mornings and you get the space without much of the rain.
- Don't expect a green-season discount yet. In our hotel sample, May weeknights were about $162 and Saturdays about $185, the same as in April; identical figures week after week suggest many hotels have not yet adjusted rates this far ahead.
- The Playa Fantasia catamaran trips ran through the last dry season and the 2026 green season, but none of their May 2027 dates were yet open for booking when we checked in October 2026, so confirm before you plan around them.
May in Jacó: The Honest Picture
⭐ Best May window: the first week (about 1 to 9 May), midweek. The changeover from dry to wet season is gradual, so the start of the month usually keeps more dry afternoons than the end, and in our hotel sample the weeknight rate is the same throughout the month.
| Factor | May Rating |
|---|---|
| Weather | 6/10: bright mornings, frequent afternoon storms |
| Crowds | 8/10: low season; small tour groups |
| Prices | 5/10: no discount yet in our hotel sample |
| Beach & Swimming | 6/10: warm sea; bigger surf and stronger rips |
| Surf | 7/10: larger swell suits improvers; beginners go early |
| Tortuga Island & Boat Trips | 7/10: morning departures beat the storms |
| Wildlife (Tárcoles & Forest) | 8/10: green forest, active birds; morning boats |
| Families | 7/10: quiet and easy if you plan for rain |
| Couples | 7/10: empty beaches and storm-lit sunsets |
💰 May hotel prices in our sample (Jacó, 3 to 4 star, room for two):
Weeknights: ~$162/night · Saturdays: ~$185/night · Labour Day, Saturday 1 May: ~$185/night
Median of 19 Jacó hotels that returned a May 2027 rate, checked 20 October 2026. Rates were identical week after week, which suggests many hotels had not yet set green-season prices this far ahead; recheck closer to your trip.
Planning Jacó for May 2027? May is the first month of Costa Rica's green season on the Central Pacific. 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 May 2027.
A May trip to Jacó is a different trip from a February one. The typical green-season day starts sunny or partly cloudy, builds cloud over the hills by early afternoon and turns to rain later in the day, sometimes heavy, sometimes just a passing shower. The hills behind town turn green again, the dust of the dry season is gone, and the beach and the tours are far emptier than in the peak months.
We'd lean toward May for flexible travelers who like their beaches quiet and don't mind an afternoon indoors. We think the tradeoff is clear: you swap guaranteed sun for space, and in our sample you are not yet saving on hotels, so the real gain is fewer people, not lower prices.
Who May suits best:
- Crowd-averse travelers: low season brings small groups on tours and empty stretches of beach.
- Morning people: almost everything worth doing in Jacó works before lunch.
- Improving surfers: the green season brings bigger swell than the dry months.
- Sun-guaranteed beach holidays: less ideal. December to April is the reliable window.
Jacó Weather in May
| Metric | May |
|---|---|
| Avg High | 31°C (88°F) |
| Avg Low | 23–24°C (73–75°F) |
| Water Temp | 29°C (84°F) |
| Rain Days | ~19–23 |
| Humidity | High |
| Wind | Low to moderate |
| Rain Level | High (green season) |
Temperature and Humidity
Highs ease slightly to around 31°C (88°F) as cloud cover returns, while nights stay warm at 23 to 24°C (73 to 75°F). Quepos to the south averages 31.4°C and 23.3°C in May, and Puntarenas, across the Gulf of Nicoya, 33.1°C and 24.1°C. Humidity rises sharply with the rain, so May feels stickier than the dry months even at a lower temperature. Sunrise is about 05:20 all month and sunset moves from 17:49 to 17:55.
Rain Pattern
This is the big change of the year. Quepos averages 389 mm over 22.9 rain days in May, two and a half times April's total, and Puntarenas 204 mm over 19.1 days, so expect roughly 19 to 23 days with some rain around Jacó. Most people don't realize that "rain days" here rarely means rain all day: the usual pattern is a dry or partly cloudy morning and a storm in the afternoon or evening. Puntarenas still averages about six and a half hours of sunshine a day in May.
Sea and Outdoor Conditions
The sea stays near 29°C (84°F). The green season brings larger swells to Jacó Beach, which suit intermediate surfers; beginners still get good sessions in the morning, before the wind and the storms. River runoff after heavy rain can cloud the water near shore. Trails in the hills turn from dust to mud, and waterfall rocks get slippery: a guest on the waterfall hike at the start of a past rainy season advised bringing the grippiest shoes you own.
May in Jacó: Crowds and Prices Week by Week
May has one public holiday and no school break, so the month is steady.
- 1 to 2 May (Labour Day weekend): Labour Day, a national holiday, falls on a Saturday in 2027. In our sample, Saturday 1 May cost about $185, the same as every May Saturday, and Sunday 2 May about $162.
- 3 to 15 May: the transition. Weeknights about $162, Saturdays about $185 in our sample, and the last dry-season-style afternoons.
- 16 to 31 May: the green season settles in. Rates unchanged in our sample; Wednesday 19 May was about $165. The Playa Fantasia catamarans' May 2027 dates were not yet bookable when we checked.
What typically happens in May is that the calendar empties before the prices do. Tour prices are the same as in the dry season, and nearly every date was open when we checked; the Tortuga Island catamaran showed only 24 May as unavailable. Off-season groups are smaller: one zipline guest in a past green season had three guides for a group of six and noted that peak-season groups run to about 30.
The Green Season Begins: Quiet Beaches, Small Groups and Green Hills
May's signature draw is the change of season itself. After five months of dust and sun, the first steady rains turn the hills green, and Jacó settles into its low season.
Space on the Tours
Small groups are the most noticeable green-season perk. On the ocean-view zipline above Los Sueños, a May 2026 family ended up with a private tour, and a June guest found that "even though it was in the wet season, the morning was not rainy and weather was perfect." Morning slots on the ATV ride, the horseback ride and the Tárcoles River boats are similarly calm.
The Hills Turn Green
The forest behind Jacó looks its best once the rains return. The dry season's dust is gone from the ATV trails, replaced by mud, and the waterfalls on the waterfall hike begin to carry more water as the rains build through the season. In our view, this is the start of the best time of year for photos of the forest, as long as you go early.
Bigger Surf
Our Jacó surf lessons guide notes that the green season brings larger swells that suit intermediate surfers, while beginners still get good sessions in the morning hours. If you have already learned, May is when Jacó starts to feel like a proper surf town.
Boats Before the Storms
The Tortuga Island catamaran leaves Los Sueños at 07:15, which suits the green-season pattern of fine mornings. No reviews of it posted in May mention whales; southern humpbacks are reported most often from August to October.
What to Watch in May: Afternoon Storms, Mud and Rougher Sea
The rain is real in May, but it follows a pattern you can plan around.
Plan Around the Afternoon
Book outdoor activities for the morning and keep afternoons for the pool, a meal or the food walk, which runs in light rain (guests on a showery day were handed umbrellas). Storms can be heavy, with thunder and lightning, so keep an eye on the sky and follow your guide's call.
Mud and Slippery Rocks
The ATV operator runs in all weather and tells riders to expect mud in the rainy season, so wear clothes you can write off. On the waterfall hike, the climbing sections get slippery once the rocks are wet, and the tour already demands a good level of fitness: recent reviewers describe a long, difficult walk with ropes, and some groups skip a few falls.
Bigger Swell and Rip Currents
Larger green-season swells strengthen Jacó's rip currents. In a past rainy season, the head of Jacó's lifeguards described the swell growing a great deal in "winter", as Costa Ricans call the wet season. Swim near the municipal lifeguard towers, stay out of the water when the flags or lifeguards say so, and if you are pulled out, swim parallel to the shore and raise an arm. The emergency number is 911.
Playa Fantasia
The Sealounge catamaran trips to Playa Fantasia, the top pick on our Jacó boat tours guide, have run year-round in recent seasons, judging by guest reviews. When we checked in October 2026, a 2027 schedule from 16 May was listed but no dates were yet open to book, so check again before you go and have the Tortuga Island trip as a backup.
Where to Stay on a May Trip to Jacó
May is the start of the green season. In our sample, rates were similar to the dry season, so the saving is in quieter beaches and smaller tour groups rather than price.
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 May
Live rates from our hotel reservation system for a sample three-night stay in May for two adults, so you can see what a May trip costs before you pick tours.
Change the dates at checkout to match your own trip, and book with instant email confirmation.
- Priced for May
- 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, May 15 – 18, 2027, 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 →Vista Los Sueños: Ocean Views Zip Line Canopy Tour
The tour that fits May best. With seven departures a day from 08:00, you can fly the ten cables above Herradura Bay in the clear morning hours and be back before the afternoon storms, and green-season groups are small enough that one May family had the course to themselves. It takes ages four and up, lasts about two hours and costs $75.
Book NowThe Best Things to Do in Jacó This May
Everything in our Jacó guides runs in May, though the Playa Fantasia catamaran's May 2027 dates were not yet open to book when we checked. The table rates each activity for the month; in the green season, the time of day matters most.
| Activity | May Rating | Best Time of Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zipline | 9/10 | 08:00–10:00 | Seven departures; small low-season groups; from $75 |
| Tárcoles Crocodile Tour | 8/10 | 08:30 | Morning boat beats the storms; from $40 |
| Tortuga Island Tour | 8/10 | Full day from 07:15 | Early start suits green-season mornings |
| Surf Lessons | 7/10 | Early morning | Bigger swell; beginners best before the wind |
| ATV Tour | 7/10 | 09:00 | Runs in all weather; expect mud |
| Horseback Riding | 7/10 | 07:00 | Early rides avoid afternoon rain |
| Waterfall Hike | 7/10 | 08:00 | Greener forest; slippery climbing; no Mon or Wed on our pick |
| Food Tour | 8/10 | Late afternoon | Runs in light rain; umbrellas handed out |
| Boat Tours | 6/10 | Morning | Playa Fantasia 2027 dates not yet open; private boats run |
Best in May
We'd give the zipline the edge this month because its many start times let you choose the clearest hour, and two hours is short enough to finish before the clouds. The 08:30 crocodile boat and the Tortuga Island day follow the same logic: start early, finish early.
Rain-Proof Choices
The ATV ride runs in all weather and is arguably more fun in the mud, if you dress for it. The food walk is the obvious late-afternoon plan when the storm arrives. We'd only book the waterfall hike if you are fit and sure-footed, because wet rocks make its ropes and climbs harder.
More May Activities Worth Knowing About
Most of these May-friendly experiences do not have their own guides on this site yet.
Carara National Park
Carara borders the Tárcoles River on the road from San José and is the area's best-known place for scarlet macaws. In the green season, go at opening and finish before the afternoon rain; trails can be muddy. Our Carara National Park tour guide compares six guided walks, from $35.
Playa Hermosa
Five minutes south of Jacó, Playa Hermosa is a powerful beach break for experienced surfers only, and the bigger green-season swell makes it more serious. Its beach is part of a national wildlife refuge where olive ridley turtles nest from July to December.
Herradura Bay
The bay beside the Los Sueños marina, about 20 minutes north, is more sheltered than open Jacó Beach, which matters more once the green-season swell picks up.
Storm Watching
Green-season afternoons often bring dramatic skies over the Pacific. A covered terrace or beachfront restaurant with a view of the incoming storm is one of the most memorable free shows in town.
Our Take
Book every outdoor plan before noon and treat the afternoon as a bonus: in May, travelers who plan around the morning rarely lose a tour to the weather, while those who save the big outing for 14:00 are the ones who end up rescheduling.
Tips for a May Trip to Jacó
- Start early every day: green-season mornings are usually the brightest part of the day, and most tours have 07:00 to 09:00 departures.
- Pack for rain and mud: a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes and shoes with real grip; leave white clothes at home for the ATV.
- Recheck hotel rates closer to your trip: our May sample showed the same prices as April, which may change as hotels set green-season rates.
- Check Playa Fantasia dates before planning around them: the catamarans' May 2027 dates were not yet bookable in October 2026.
- Respect the surf: bigger green-season swell strengthens rip currents. Swim near a lifeguard tower and follow their flags.
- Keep one flexible day: a heavy storm can postpone a boat trip or a hike; free cancellation up to 24 hours before makes rebooking easy on most tours.
- Visiting at a different time of year? Our Jacó in April guide covers the last dry-season weeks and the best month to learn to surf, and our Jacó in June guide covers the quiet green-season weeks and Carara National Park at its greenest.
- 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 May 2027. Hotel prices are the median nightly rate for a room for two at 19 Jacó hotels rated 3 to 4 stars that returned a price for each May 2027 date when we checked on 20 October 2026; the figures repeated week after week, so treat them as provisional. Tour prices, schedules, cancellation terms and May availability were checked live on 20 October 2026, including the Playa Fantasia catamarans' 2026 and 2027 seasons. The group-size, rain and trail notes come from reading every review of the featured zipline, the 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. Ratings in the tables are our editorial judgment of how May suits each activity, not guest scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jacó good in May?+
It can be, if you plan around the rain. May starts the green season, with bright mornings, afternoon storms, green hills and far fewer visitors than in the dry months. In our hotel sample, rates had not yet dropped (about $162 on weeknights), so the main benefit is space rather than savings.
What is the weather like in Jacó in May?+
Warm, humid and increasingly wet. Expect highs around 31°C (88°F), nights of 23 to 24°C and roughly 19 to 23 days with some rain, judging by the nearest stations at Quepos (22.9 days) and Puntarenas (19.1 days). Mornings are usually the brightest part of the day.
Is May a good month for tours in Jacó?+
Yes, in the morning. Every tour we cover runs in May, groups are small in the low season, and early departures usually miss the afternoon storms. The ocean-view zipline, with seven start times a day, is the easiest to fit around the weather.
How much does it rain in Jacó during May?+
A lot more than in April. Quepos averages 389 mm over about 23 rain days in May and Puntarenas 204 mm over about 19, with Jacó in between. Rain usually arrives in the afternoon or evening rather than all day.
Is May cheaper than the dry season in Jacó?+
Not yet, in our data. Our sample of Jacó hotels for May 2027 showed about $162 on weeknights and $185 on Saturdays, the same as April. The figures repeated every week, which suggests many hotels had not yet set green-season rates, so recheck nearer your dates.
What is the best week to visit Jacó in May?+
The first week, about 1 to 9 May, ideally midweek. The changeover to the wet season is gradual, so early May usually keeps more dry afternoons, and in our sample hotel rates are the same all month.
What are the best things to do in Jacó in May?+
Morning activities: the ocean-view zipline, the 08:30 Tárcoles crocodile boat, the Tortuga Island catamaran and early surf lessons. The ATV ride runs in all weather if you don't mind mud, and the late-afternoon food walk is a good plan when the storm arrives.
Do the Playa Fantasia boat tours run in May?+
They have in recent years: guests reviewed Sealounge's Playa Fantasia catamarans in most months of 2025 and 2026. When we checked in October 2026, a 2027 schedule was listed but no May dates were yet open to book, so confirm before you plan around it and keep the Tortuga Island trip as a backup.
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