Preliminary data from the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN) shows temperatures dipping to 0.7 degrees Celsius at Volcán Irazú early Saturday morning, the lowest reading across the country. Other high-elevation spots followed close behind: Cerro de la Muerte hit 2 degrees Celsius, Volcán Turrialba reached 3.1 degrees, and Volcán Poás clocked in at 8.2 degrees. These drops mark the latest in a string of cold snaps tied to the 15th cold front of the season.
The readings come as no shock to locals who know the mountains hold onto winter’s edge well into February. But for the thousands of visitors streaming into the country each week, the contrast hits hard. Costa Rica draws more than 3 million tourists a year with promises of endless summer – beaches at 30 degrees, rainforests thick with heat. Yet at elevations above 3,000 meters, like Irazú’s summit, the air turns sharp and unforgiving. One hiker at the crater rim last weekend described pulling on every layer in his pack after expecting a mild stroll.
“This isn’t what I pictured for paradise,” said Maria López, a teacher from Texas who joined a guided tour to Irazú on Friday. Her group bundled up against winds that pushed the chill factor lower, turning a quick viewpoint stop into a hasty retreat. Park rangers report similar stories: Flip-flops swapped for borrowed jackets, water bottles freezing solid in daypacks. The national park sees upward of 100,000 visitors annually, many on day trips from San José, and staff now keep extra blankets on hand for those caught short.
The cold stems from a persistent push of polar air from the north, funneling down through Central America. IMN forecasters noted moderate alisio winds stirring scattered showers on the Caribbean side, but the real bite stays in the cordilleras. At Rancho Redondo, temperatures fell to 4.5 degrees, while lower valleys like the Central Valley held steady around 11 to 14 degrees – cool but far from frost territory.
Travel agencies in San José field more calls this time of year about packing lists. “People arrive in shorts and tank tops, thinking tropical means uniform,” said tour operator Javier Morales. He advises clients to check elevation maps before heading out. Irazú, at 3,432 meters, sits highest among Costa Rica’s active volcanoes, and its exposed rims amplify the drop. Recent fronts have blanketed the peak in thin frost layers, a sight that draws photographers but tests unprepared nerves.
Safety remains the priority. IMN urges drivers on the winding road to Cartago to watch for black ice patches, especially at dawn. Emergency services logged three minor fender-benders near the park entrance last week, linked to slick roads from overnight lows. For hikers, the message is simple: Layers work better than regrets. Base them on cotton for sweat-wicking, add wool or synthetics for insulation, and top with windproof shells. Gloves and hats round out the kit – items that vanish from airport shops when word spreads.
The front eases by midweek, with daytime highs climbing back to 25 degrees in lowlands. But nights stay crisp in the highlands through Valentine’s Day aftermath. IMN’s latest bulletin points to partial cloud cover and light rain risks, keeping mornings brisk. For travelers eyeing Irazú or Poás, the rule holds: Altitude steals the heat, no matter the calendar.
Those who live there shrug it off as mountain life. Farmers in the Cartago area use the chill to thin coffee crops, while birdwatchers spot rare migrants drawn by the shift. Still, the reminder lands for outsiders: Costa Rica layers its climates like its landscapes. Pack for the peak, not just the postcard.
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