Costa Rica Regional Climate Characteristics
Costa Rica is a tropical country with two distinct seasons—dry and wet. However, within these seasons, there is a significant variation between different regions of the Country. The Guanacaste Province on the northwest Pacific Coast is the driest. The Caribbean Coast has unpredictable and generally wetter weather, and the southern Pacific Coast is wet and hot year-round.
The reason for this diversity is the close proximity of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, as well the mountain ranges that separate these two bodies of water. If you travel from one coast of Costa Rica to the other, or from the coast to the mountains, you’ll experience a totally entirely different micro-climate in each of these regions
An interesting observation is that of the geographical position of Costa Rica with respect to hurricanes passing-by in the Caribbean. Costa Rica, while experiencing the side-effects of passing hurricanes, rarely, if ever, experiences a direct hit by one. The position of the Gulf Stream Ocean Current keeps the hurricanes offshore to Costa Rica.
Climate Regions and Characteristics
• Guanacaste (Liberia, Tamarindo, Flamingo, Playas del Coco) – these lowlands located on the northwest Pacific Coast, are hot and have dry tropical forests
• Nicoya Peninsula (Mal País, Montezuma, Samara) – these lowlands located on western Pacific Coast, are hot and have dry tropical forests.
• Central Pacific (Manuel Antonio, Jacó, Puntarenas) – these lowlands did-western Pacific Coast, are hot, humid, and have lush tropical vegetation.
• South Pacific (Osa Peninsula, Dominical, Golfito) – these lowlands located on the southern Pacific Coast, are hot and humid, with very lush tropical vegetation and the critters to go with it.
• Northern Lowlands (Arenal, Sarapiquí Valley) – these lowlands located in the north-central part of the Country, are hot, but cool at night, and have lush tropical vegetation.
• Central Highlands (Monteverde, San Ramón, Tilarán) – these central highlands have moderate temperatures and are cool at night, with varied vegetation.
• Central Valley (San José, Grecia, Escazu, Santa Ana) – these central highlands have a mild climate and are cool at night, with varied vegetation.
• South Central (San Gerado de Dota, San Isidro de General) – this area is a higher elevation and has a mild temperate climate.
• Caribbean Coast (Puerto Viejo de Limón, Tortuguero) – these lowlands located on the southeastern Caribbean Coast, are hot and humid, with very lush tropical vegetation and the critters to go with it.
