After the steady rains of May and June, we’ve entered a bright and sunny break that has everyone talking. Many are calling it the Veranillo de San Juan, a familiar dry spell in the rainy season. But while the name has stuck, this weather phenomenon is actually known as the Canícula. The Veranillo de San Juan typically happens in late June and lasts only three to five days.
The Canícula, on the other hand, happens a little later in the year and tends to last longer. It is a climate phenomenon that affects much of Central America and is characterized by higher temperatures and an increase in trade winds, which in turn reduces rainfall.
A fun fact about the word Canícula is that it comes from the Latin term for “little dog.” It refers to Sirius, the brightest star in the Canis Major constellation. Sirius means “scorching,” and in ancient times, it rose with the sun during the northern hemisphere’s summer solstice. That is how the hottest days of the year came to be associated with this constellation and its brightest star.
According to Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute, this year’s Canícula will last from July 15 to August 10, especially along the Pacific slope, including the province of Guanacaste, where Las Catalinas is located. And here, we are feeling every bit of it.
Blue skies, warm sunny days, and vibrant sunsets have taken over. It is the kind of weather that brings everyone outside. Families are enjoying meals on the restaurant terraces, kids are playing by the fountain and swings, and friends are running into each other by the beach.
If you are in Town, this is the perfect time to get outside. Soak up some Vitamin D, relax on the sand, grab a bite in Plaza Mercado, or even get your workout in right by the beach.
Make the most of this mini summer break and let the sunshine lift your mood. If you run into a friend who mentions how nice the Veranillo de San Juan is, now you’ve got a new story to share!