November is the turn of the season in Manuel Antonio: the rains ease toward the dry season, the forest stays lush, prices are still low, and the December crowds have not yet arrived. Here is what to expect.
What You Should Know
- November is the transition from green to dry season in Manuel Antonio: the heavy rains of September and October ease through the month, the forest stays lush, and the weather improves week by week.
- It is one of the year's best value windows, especially late month: rains tapering, prices still low, and the December holiday crowds not yet arrived.
- The first half can still be quite wet as the rains wind down; the second half typically turns brighter and drier, the sweet spot of the month.
- Whale season has ended: the southern humpbacks have moved on, and the northern season does not begin until around December, so November is a quiet month for whales.
Manuel Antonio in November: The Honest Picture
⭐ Best November window: the second half of the month. The rains typically ease toward the dry season, prices stay low, and you arrive ahead of the December holiday crowds, often the best value-to-weather balance of the year.
| Factor | November Rating |
|---|---|
| Weather | 7/10 — rains easing through the month |
| Crowds | 7/10 — quiet, rising late month |
| Prices | 7/10 — low, rising toward December |
| Wildlife & National Park | 9/10 — lush and active in the mornings |
| Snorkeling | 7/10 — improving as runoff eases late |
| Surf | 7/10 — green-season swell easing |
| Rain | 6/10 — easing through the month |
| Families | 8/10 — value and improving weather |
| Couples | 8/10 — lush, quiet, and improving |
💰 Average November hotel prices (Manuel Antonio/Quepos, mid-range):
Early November: ~$135/night · late November (rising to December): ~$160/night
Rough mid-range estimates; rates vary by property and booking lead time.
November is the turn of the year in Manuel Antonio, when the green season hands off to the dry. The heavy rains of September and October ease through the month, the forest stays lush, and the weather improves steadily. Prices are still low and crowds thin for most of November, before the December holiday surge, which makes the second half of the month one of the best value windows of the year.
Visiting Manuel Antonio in November means catching the season on the upswing. Early November can still be wet as the rains wind down, but by late month the days are typically brighter and drier, snorkeling visibility is recovering, and the green landscape is at its most vivid just as the sun returns. It is a transitional month, so weather varies more year to year than the settled dry or wet seasons.
We'd lean toward late November for travelers who want green-season value and scenery with improving weather, and who want to beat the December crowds. The honest tradeoff is that the first half can still bring real rain, and the exact timing of the season change shifts year to year. This guide covers the weather week by week, how November compares to the rest of the year, the transition, and the activities that shine this month.
Who November suits best:
- Value seekers: late November offers improving weather at still-low prices, before December rates climb.
- Wildlife and nature lovers: the forest is lush and active, and the trails are quiet.
- Crowd-avoiders: November is calm right up until the late-month run-in to the holidays.
- Whale watchers: less ideal. The southern season has ended and the northern season has not yet begun.
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Manuel Antonio Weather in November
| Metric | November |
|---|---|
| Avg High | 31°C (88°F) |
| Avg Low | 23°C (73°F) |
| Water Temp | 28–29°C (82–84°F) |
| Rain Days | ~15 (decreasing) |
| Humidity | Moderate to high |
| Wind | Low |
| Rain Level | Moderate, easing through the month |
Temperature and Humidity
November stays warm, with daytime highs around 31°C (88°F) and overnight lows near 23°C (73°F). Humidity is high early in the month and eases as the rains retreat, so late November feels fresher and brighter than the start. Mornings are the reliable window, and they grow longer and clearer as the dry season approaches.
Rain Pattern
November is a month of retreat for the rains. Early November can still see regular afternoon storms, a continuation of the wet season, but the frequency and intensity drop steadily through the month. By late November, many days are mostly dry, with only occasional showers, a clear sign the dry season is near. The exact timing of this shift varies year to year.
Sea and Outdoor Conditions
The Pacific stays warm at 28 to 29°C (82 to 84°F). Snorkeling visibility improves as river runoff eases late in the month, recovering from its wet-season low. Surf eases as the green-season south swell fades. Trails begin to firm up as the rain retreats, though they can still be muddy after a storm early in the month.
Manuel Antonio in November: Crowds and Prices
November is quiet and good value for most of the month, with demand building only in the run-in to December.
- Early November: Still low season, with thin crowds, low rates, and the tail of the wet-season rain. Easy to book tours close to your dates.
- Mid November: Weather improving, crowds still light, prices still low. A strong value window as conditions get better.
- Late November: The best weather of the month, with rates beginning to climb toward the December dry-season and holiday peak. Book ahead if your dates run close to early December.
Expect mid-range Manuel Antonio hotels to run around $135 per night in early November, rising toward $160 late in the month as the dry season approaches and December demand builds. Tour prices stay broadly stable year-round, so the savings come from lodging, with the best balance of low rates and good weather in mid-to-late November.
Is November a Good Time to Visit Manuel Antonio?
Yes, increasingly so as the month goes on. Late November is one of the year's best value windows: improving, drier weather, a lush forest, still-low prices, and crowds that have not yet built for the holidays. The main caveat is that early November can still be wet, and the season change varies year to year.
November vs Other Months
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 6/10 — wettest month | 8/10 — very quiet | 8/10 — lowest | Wettest and cheapest; whale-watching peak |
| October | 6/10 — wettest; can be stormy | 8/10 — very quiet | 8/10 — lowest | Wettest month, but whales early and great value |
| November | 7/10 — rains easing late month | 7/10 — quiet, rising late | 7/10 — low, rising late | Green-to-dry transition; great late-month value |
| December | 8/10 — dry season returns | 4/10 — holiday peak late month | 3/10 — rising to holiday peak | Dry-season start; book holidays far ahead |
| January | 10/10 — driest, sunniest | 3/10 — busiest month | 2/10 — peak rates | Peak conditions at peak cost |
November vs December
Late November and early December are both transition-to-dry-season periods with improving weather. The difference is cost and crowds: November stays low-season cheap and quiet, while December climbs toward holiday-peak prices and fills up late in the month. We'd give late November the edge for value and December the edge for slightly more reliable dry weather. Our Manuel Antonio in December guide covers that month and the holiday peak in detail.
So, When Should You Visit?
For the best value, late November is hard to beat: improving weather at low-season prices. For guaranteed sun, the dry season (December through April) is the safe choice, at higher cost. For the cheapest trip overall, September and October are cheaper still but much wetter. Our Manuel Antonio in October guide covers the wet month just before.
Green-to-Dry Transition: Easing Rains and Late-Season Value
November's draw is the turn of the season: a lush forest left over from the green season, improving weather as the dry season nears, and value before the December crowds. Late November in particular hits a sweet spot.
The Best of Both Seasons
November catches the forest still vivid and full from the wet season just as the sun starts to return. Rivers and waterfalls run strong, wildlife is active, and a dawn national park tour is excellent. Birdwatching is strong, and snorkeling visibility starts to recover as the rains retreat. You get green-season scenery with improving dry-season weather.
Value Before the Crowds
For most of November, prices stay at low-season levels and the trails are quiet, but the weather is markedly better than September or October. Late November, just before December rates climb, is one of the best value windows of the year: improving weather, low prices, and no holiday crowds. We'd target the back half of the month for the best balance.
Quieter Wildlife Tours
With crowds thin, November is a great time for the slower, wildlife-focused experiences. The Damas Island mangrove tour and the guided night walk are still excellent while the forest stays humid and active, and you will often share them with only a handful of others.
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Early-Month Rain and the December Pivot
November has two things to plan around: the tail of the wet season early in the month and the climb toward dry-season prices late in it.
The Rains Winding Down
Early November can still bring regular afternoon storms, so for the first week or two, keep the green-season habits: outdoor activities in the morning, rain-proof options like the mangrove tour, chocolate tour, and night walk in the afternoon. By late November, most days are mostly dry and the planning gets easier.
The December Pivot
Demand and prices stay low through most of November, then begin climbing in the last week or two as the dry season arrives and December travel ramps up. If your dates run into late November or early December, book lodging and your park tour earlier than you would mid-month. Our Manuel Antonio in December guide covers the dry-season start and the holiday peak that follows.
The Best Activities in Manuel Antonio in November
Everything is open in November, with conditions improving through the month. Keep the morning-first habit early on; by late month the afternoons open up. The table below rates each activity for the month.
| Activity | November Rating | Best Time of Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Park Tour | 9/10 | Early morning | Lush and active; weather improving through the month |
| Birdwatching | 9/10 | Early morning | Strong green-season bird activity, drier mornings late month |
| Mangrove Tour | 9/10 | Morning | Sheltered estuary; reliable in any weather, quiet crowds |
| Night Tour | 9/10 | Evening | Frogs and nocturnal wildlife still very active |
| Waterfall Tours (Nauyaca) | 8/10 | Morning | Full water volume; trails firming up late month |
| Snorkeling & Sailing | 7/10 | Morning | Visibility recovering as runoff eases late month |
| Naranjo River Rafting | 8/10 | Morning | Good green-season flow on the lower river |
| Ziplining | 8/10 | Morning | Runs rain or shine; drier late month |
| ATV Tour | 7/10 | Morning | Muddy early, firmer late month |
| Horseback Riding | 7/10 | Morning | Trails firming up as the rains ease |
| Chocolate Tour | 8/10 | Afternoon | Covered; handy for an early-month shower |
| Surf Lessons | 7/10 | Morning | Swell easing; calmer at dawn |
Best in November
The national park tour, birdwatching, the mangrove tour, and the night walk are at green-season strength with quiet crowds, and they keep getting better as the weather improves. By late month, snorkeling and sailing are recovering as the water clears.
Handy When an Early-Month Shower Rolls In
For wetter early-November afternoons, the sheltered mangrove tour, the covered chocolate tour, and the evening night walk all run regardless of the weather.
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More November Activities Worth Knowing About
These November-friendly experiences do not have their own dedicated guides on this site yet, but all are well established and suited to the turn of the season.
Manuel Antonio Beaches (Espadilla and Biesanz)
Playa Espadilla and the sheltered Biesanz Bay are warm and quiet in November, and they get better through the month as the rains ease and the water clears. Mornings are best early in the month; by late November, full beach afternoons return.
Rainmaker Conservation Park
Rainmaker is a private rainforest reserve inland from Quepos with hanging bridges, trails, and waterfalls. November keeps it lush and the waterfalls full, with improving footing as the rains retreat. A quiet, wild alternative to the national park.
Quepos and Marina Pez Vela
The town of Quepos and its marina are relaxed in November, and sportfishing improves as the seas calm toward the dry season. The marina's restaurants make an easy evening out, and the town starts to wake up a little in the run-in to December.
Rainforest Photography
November is a fine month for rainforest photography: the forest is still green and full from the wet season, the waterfalls run strong, and the improving light gives brighter mornings without losing the lushness. A good window for green scenery with more reliable sun than September or October.
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From Our Experience
What we consistently see is that late November is one of the best-kept secrets of the Manuel Antonio calendar: the rains have mostly gone, the forest is still green and full, prices are low, and the December crowds have not arrived. Travelers who target the back half of the month get close to dry-season conditions at green-season value.
Tips for Visiting Manuel Antonio in November
- Aim for the second half of the month: the rains typically ease toward the dry season after mid-November, so late November offers the best weather while prices and crowds stay low.
- Keep morning-first habits early on: the first week or two can still bring afternoon storms, so schedule the park, birding, and waterfalls early and keep rain-proof options ready.
- Book ahead if your dates run into late November: demand and prices begin climbing in the last week or two as December approaches, so reserve lodging and the park tour earlier than mid-month.
- Snorkeling is recovering: visibility improves as runoff eases late in the month, so the back half of November is a better window than the start.
- Don't plan a November trip around whales: the southern season has ended and the northern season does not begin until around December, so there is no reliable whale watching this month.
- Reserve the SINAC park ticket once your dates are set: entry is capped at 600 visitors per day, and the park is closed every Tuesday; late-month demand is rising but availability is still easier than the dry season.
- Plan your transfer from San José around the morning: the drive is roughly 3 hours and easier before any early-month afternoon rain. Our San José to Manuel Antonio guide covers private transfers, shuttles, and the public bus.
- Came from October, or considering it? Our Manuel Antonio in October guide covers the wettest month with late whale season and the year's lowest prices.
- Heading into December? Our Manuel Antonio in December guide covers the dry-season start and the Christmas and New Year holiday peak.
How We Put This Guide Together
The Costa Rica Day Trip team built this guide from seasonal weather patterns, national park access rules, operator availability windows, and verified traveler review patterns across every major Manuel Antonio activity category. November is the transition from green to dry season, so we focused on the factors that genuinely change with it: the easing rains, the recovering conditions, and the climb in prices and crowds late in the month. Ratings reflect documented seasonal conditions rather than a best-case picture. This guide was reviewed and updated in May 2026. The timing of the season change varies year to year, sometimes by a couple of weeks, so we recommend confirming tour availability close to your dates, especially for late-November travel as December demand builds. Every activity linked here has its own dedicated guide with operator comparisons and real review data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manuel Antonio good in November?+
Yes, increasingly so through the month. November is the transition from green to dry season: the heavy rains of September and October ease, the forest stays lush, and the weather improves week by week. Late November is one of the year's best value windows, with improving weather, low prices, and crowds that have not yet built for December. The main caveat is that early November can still be wet, and the season change varies year to year.
What is the weather like in Manuel Antonio in November?+
November is warm and transitional, with highs around 31°C (88°F) and lows near 23°C (73°F). Early in the month, regular afternoon storms continue the wet-season pattern, but the rain eases steadily, and by late November many days are mostly dry with only occasional showers. The Pacific stays warm at 28 to 29°C, and snorkeling visibility recovers as runoff eases late in the month.
Can you see whales in Manuel Antonio in November?+
Generally no. The southern-hemisphere humpback season winds down by the end of October, and the northern-hemisphere season does not begin until around December, so November falls in a gap with no reliable whale watching. Boat and sailing tours still run for the coastline and dolphins, but for humpbacks, plan for July through October or December through March instead.
How much does it rain in Manuel Antonio in November?+
November averages around 15 rainy days, but the rain decreases through the month. Early November can still bring regular afternoon storms, while late November is often mostly dry with only occasional showers as the dry season approaches. Mornings are reliably the brighter window, and they grow longer and clearer as the month goes on. The exact timing of the change varies year to year.
Is November cheap in Manuel Antonio?+
For most of the month, yes. Early-to-mid November holds low green-season prices, with mid-range hotels around $135 per night, while late November climbs toward $160 as the dry season arrives and December demand builds. Late November is the value sweet spot: improving weather at still-low prices, before the holiday-season rates take hold. Tour prices stay broadly stable year-round.
What is the best week to visit Manuel Antonio in November?+
The second half of the month, roughly the third week onward. The rains typically ease toward the dry season after mid-November, so late November offers the best weather of the month while prices and crowds stay low, before the December holiday run-up. Early November is cheaper still but can be noticeably wetter as the rainy season winds down.
What activities are best in Manuel Antonio in November?+
The guided national park tour, birdwatching, the Damas Island mangrove tour, and the night walk are at green-season strength with quiet crowds, and they keep improving as the weather dries out. By late month, snorkeling and sailing are recovering as the water clears. For wetter early-November afternoons, the sheltered mangrove tour, the covered chocolate tour, and the evening night walk all run regardless of the weather.
When does the dry season start in Manuel Antonio?+
The dry season generally begins in December, but the transition runs through November as the rains ease. By late November, many days are already mostly dry, a preview of the dry season to come. The exact timing varies year to year: some years dry out by mid-November, others stay showery into early December. Late November is often the sweet spot of improving weather at low-season prices.
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