San José sits at 1,200 meters elevation in the Central Valley, giving it a perpetual spring-like climate that defies typical tropical heat.
The dry season brings brilliant sunshine and virtually no rain, while the wet season delivers predictable afternoon downpours that clear by evening.
Temperatures hover between 15°C and 26°C year-round, with nights cool enough for a light sweater even in warmer months.
Humidity rises noticeably during the rainy months but never reaches the oppressive levels of coastal lowlands.
The elevation means San José skews cooler than tourists expect—pack a jacket for air-conditioned malls and breezy evenings, not just the occasional mountain trip.
San José follows a two-season tropical pattern rather than four temperate seasons, though its highland elevation keeps it surprisingly mild year-round.