General Information

Costa Rica is a mountainous country on the narrow Central American isthmus, with Nicaragua to the North and Panamá to the South. To the East and West are the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, respectively.

Maximum length: 288 miles from Río Sapoá to Punta Burica
Minimum length: 74 miles from Tuba to Boca Coronado
Maximum width: 161 miles from Cabo Santa Elena to Boca del Río Colorado
The capital: San José Area: 3.66 square miles
Land area: 19.730 square miles
Administrative division: 7 provinces
Total population: 3.510.637 (50.54% men / 49.46% women)

Costa Rica Weather

Get more Current Weather Forecast in different places of Costa Rica by clicking here.

The costa rica climate and weather is idyllic. In the lowlands -which are dry in the Pacific Northwest and humid elsewhere- daytime temperatures range in the eighties to nineties F° (high twenties to mid-thirties C°). Usually in the seventies F° (low to mid-twenties C°) at middle elevations, the mercury can fall as low as the forties and fifties F° (five to mid-tens C°) at the top of the mountains.

Costa Rica can be broadly categorized into four major climatic zones:

The wet lowlands: The Caribbean weather and the Southern Pacific weather in lowlands have short dry seasons and high temperatures. Rainfall is usually lighter along the coast, increasing proportionally as it moves further inland and altitude increases.

Lowlands with a dry season: Most of the Guanacaste province and some of Puntarenas have high temperatures and a long dry season weather.

Temperate climate: Areas located between 3,000 - 5,000 feet above the sea level, such as the Central Valley (San José, Alajuela, Heredia & Cartago), have defined dry seasons and the most comfortable of the climates & weather.

Mountain climate: Any area at an altitude higher than 5,000 feet has cooler temperatures. At altitudes over 10,000 feet, even reaches the freezing point. The weather is usually humid, with occasional fog or frost.

Annual Rainfall for Major Areas:

Central Valley:	1.100-2.500 mm	43-98 inches
Northern Pacific:	1.400-4.300 mm	55-98 inches
Central Pacific:	2.300-4.300 mm	91-169 inches
Southern Pacific:	2.300-4.000 mm	91-157 inches
Atlantic Region:	2.000-4.500 mm	79-177 inches

The Northwest has a fairly well-defined dry season ("verano" or summer) December to April. The dry season is a month or two shorter along the southern Pacific coast. July also tends to be a dry month on the Pacific slope.

Welcome rains during the rest of the year bring about a general greening and freshen the countryside. Rains usually come in afternoon thunder-storms, leaving; the mornings sunny and the night sky filled with stars.

This period is called "invierno" (winter or rainy season) or "temporada verde" (green season). Rainfall on the Caribbean slope is more evenly distributed throughout the year, with marked dry periods from May through June and again from September through October.

Current Costa Rica Weather Forecast by Places

Liberia Guanacaste Costa Rica Weather	Puerto Limon Costa Rica Weather


Puntarenas Costa Rica Weather	Heredia Costa Rica Weather


Alajuela Costa Rica Weather	Nicoya Guanacaste Costa Rica Weather


Guápiles Costa Rica Weather	Turrialba Cartago Costa Rica Weather

Costa Rican People

What makes "Ticos" (Costa Ricans) so different?
This is a common question. The answer lies in the country’s history and culture. Costa Rica has a mostly peaceful past. From the very beginning, Costa Ricans have been exposed to little violence. During colonial times, it was one of the few parts of Latin America settled by people more interested in creating a pleasant place to live and start a family than in exploiting the indigenous people and their gold.

Most "ticos" are still as warm hearted and friendly as their ancestors. Hospitality, respect and friendship are enjoyed by visitors.

Where did the word "tico" come from?
Costa Ricans often use the diminutive form of words to be more courteous or friendly. They use, however, "ico", instead the more common "-ito". Although "-ico" is a correct form of the diminutive, it is rarely used in other Spanish speaking countries. The word "momento" (moment) thus become "momentico" (a little moment) and even "momentitico" (a very brief moment). Hence, people from other countries started calling Costa Ricans "ticos".

Costa Rica Education

Through constant attention to education, Costa Rica has achieved the highest literacy rate in Central America. Its literacy rate rivals that of many larger and more industrialized nations. Since the 1970’s Costa Rica has consistently invested twenty-eight percent of the national budget in education-something which would not have been possible while maintaining armed forces.

The educational system is divided into three major sections. Elementary schooling is free and obligatory. Seventy percent of high schools are public, while accredited private institutions provide the other thirty percent. University education began last century, but it wasn’t until 1940 that the University of Costa Rica, the country’s largest public university, was founded. Thirty years later, several more public universities had been created, including a correspondence school. The first of numerous private universities was established in 1977.

Health Services

According to the World Health Organization, Costa Rica has one of the best health care systems in the world. The country’s infant mortality rate is dropping while life expectancy increases.

There are several hospitals in the country operated by the National Social Security System. The System, established to provide universal medical services, is close to reaching its goal. This same institution also provides worker’s disability, maternity and senior citizen benefits.

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