September sits right in the middle of rainy season on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, and in Jacó that means one thing above all else: the waterfalls are at their absolute peak. The jungle around Jacó, Playa Hermosa, and Bijagual is fed by rivers running full and fast, and every cascade in the area is putting on its biggest show of the year.
It also happens to be one of the quietest, cheapest months to visit. Fewer travelers, lower villa rates, and tours through puravidabookings.com running with smaller groups and more personal attention. Here's what to expect and which tours to book.
What September Actually Looks Like in Jacó
Jacó and the surrounding Central Pacific coast of Puntarenas Province see their heaviest rainfall between September and October. But "rainy season" in Costa Rica doesn't mean a washed-out day. Mornings are typically warm and sunny, the clouds build through the afternoon, and a warm downpour rolls through for an hour or two before clearing up again in time for sunset.
The upside of all that rain is dramatic: the rainforest around Jacó, Playa Hermosa, and Bijagual turns a deep, saturated green, rivers swell, and every waterfall in the region runs at full force. If you want to see Costa Rica's jungle at its most alive, September is the month to do it.
Las Monas Waterfall near Jacó, running at full force in September.
Matty's Waterfall Tour — The One to Book This Month
Matty's Waterfall Tour is the most popular experience on puravidabookings.com/tours year-round, but September is when it truly earns its reputation. The 4-hour trip departs from Cafe Bohio and follows rainforest trails just outside Jacó to Las Monas Waterfall, where a natural swimming hole sits fed by a cascade that's running at its fullest and most powerful this time of year.
ATV-Waterfall Adventure — Bijagual Backcountry, Rain and All
If you want more adrenaline, the ATV-Waterfall Adventure runs backcountry trails through Bijagual with river crossings and a waterfall finish line. September rain turns the trails soft and muddy, which is exactly what makes this tour more fun this time of year, not less. Solo or tandem ATVs are available, and it's consistently the pick for travelers who want a bigger adventure than a hike.
The Bijagual backcountry trail — muddier, wetter, and more fun in September.
Eco Crocodile Tour — The Tarcoles River Comes Alive
The Tarcoles River, just north of Jacó, swells noticeably during September. Higher water means more active crocodiles, more birdlife along the banks, and scarlet macaws overhead as they move between feeding grounds. It's one of the most crocodile-dense rivers on earth, and rainy season is when the whole ecosystem is at its most visible.
The Tarcoles River runs high in September, and the wildlife notices.
5 Tips for Touring Jacó in September
Book Morning Tours
Mornings are almost always dry and sunny in Jacó, even in September. Afternoon showers are predictable, so morning departures give you the best odds of a dry hike to the falls.
Pack a Dry Bag
Phone, wallet, and camera go in a dry bag on any waterfall or ATV tour this time of year. Waterproof sandals help too — the trails are wetter, but far less crowded.
Expect Smaller Groups
September is one of the quietest months in Jacó. Tours run with fewer people, which means more time with your guide and a more personal experience at every stop.
Villa Rates Drop
Rainy season pricing applies to accommodations too. Private-pool villas booked through Pura Vida Bookings run noticeably cheaper in September than in the December–April high season.
Let Matty Build Your Itinerary
Local knowledge matters most in rainy season — knowing which trail is running well, which river is too high that week, and which tour to swap in on short notice. That local read is exactly what Pura Vida Bookings provides.
Book Your September Waterfall Tour
The waterfalls, rivers, and rainforest around Jacó don't take a break for rainy season, they peak during it. Pura Vida Bookings runs its full tour calendar through September, with local guides who know exactly which trail, river, or falls are running best on any given day.
WhatsApp Matty and the team, tell them your dates, and let them build a September itinerary around the waterfalls, wildlife, and villas Jacó does best. Start at puravidabookings.com.