The climate 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 and the Southern Pacific 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.

Temperate climate:
Areas located between 3,000 - 5,000 feet above the sea level, such as the Central Valley, have defined dry seasons and the most comfortable of the climates.

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:


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.

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".

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.