Worst air pollution Nicoya, today and tomorrow

Today (9 August): Air quality in Nicoya is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 5:00 AM (O3: 14.5/100).
Tomorrow (10 August 2026): Air quality in Nicoya is good. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 18.2/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.

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Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team

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Nicoya's air quality reflects the Guanacaste Province's flat Nicoya Peninsula Pacific coastal plain position, with vehicle traffic on surrounding roads and the cattle, tourism, and services corridor contributing local sources. Consistent Pacific maritime breezes provide seasonal ventilation, while the dry season's Papagayo winds create extraordinary ventilation and the tropical wet season's convective rain provides effective atmospheric cleansing and Nicoya generally maintains moderate to good Costa Rican Pacific coastal provincial readings throughout most of the year.

Today - 9 August | Pollution peaks at 05:00

AQI:

Good

14.5/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

2.4/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

0.7/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

0/100

O3 (ozone):

Good

14.5/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

0/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

8.4/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

3.2/100

Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day

Tomorrow - 10 August | Pollution peaks at 10:00

AQI:

Good

18.2/100

PM2.5 (fine particles):

Good

2.3/100

PM10 (coarse particles):

Good

0.7/100

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):

Good

0/100

O3 (ozone):

Good

18.2/100

SO2 (sulfur dioxide):

Good

0/100

CO (carbon monoxide):

Good

0/100

HCHO (formaldehyde):

Good

11.5/100

PM1 (ultrafine particles):

Good

2.7/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air quality bad in Nicoya right now?

On 9 August 2026, overall air quality in Nicoya is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 14.5/100. Pollution peaks around 5:00 AM (O3: 14.5/100).

Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Nicoya?

On 10 August 2026, air quality conditions in Nicoya will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at good at 18.2/100. Pollution peaks around 10:00 AM (O3: 18.2/100).

When is air pollution at its worst in Nicoya?

Nicoya usually sees its poorest air quality when vehicle traffic together with tourism-related traffic coincide with periods when onshore breezes fall calm. Sea breezes typically keep conditions in check, except during still weather. This coastal advantage is less pronounced during still, high-pressure weather.

Are air quality levels in Nicoya based on measurements or forecasts?

It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.

Why doesn’t the forecast always reflect wildfire impacts?

Airmine’s forecast uses CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) as its background atmospheric model. While CAMS includes wildfire emissions, these are derived from satellite observations and are not available in real time. During rapidly evolving wildfire events, there may therefore be a delay before increased emissions are incorporated into the model. As a result, the forecast may temporarily underestimate PM₂.₅ and other pollutants associated with wildfire smoke.

During rapidly evolving wildfire events, CAMS may lag by approximately 1–2 days before increased wildfire emissions are fully represented, which can lead to temporary underestimation of PM₂.₅ concentrations in Airmine’s forecast.

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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 9 August 2026 at 20:27 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)

This forecast is produced independently using Airmine's own atmospheric data and models.

Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.

Disclaimer: Forecasts are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Actual pollen and air quality conditions may vary from the forecast. If you have allergies, asthma, or another medical condition, consult a healthcare professional. Please see our Terms of Service for important information about limitations of liability.

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