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Facts about Costa Rica
CLIMATE
Two recognized seasons; commonly called the Dry Season (December to
April) and the Wet Season (May to November). We prefer to call the
"wet" season the Green Season because the countryside comes
alive like the springtime in temperate climates.
The Atlantic coast has no well-defined dry season.
The Pacific coast, the Guanacaste area, is the driest and hottest. This
is where you can find most of the beach resorts.
The Wet Season (Green Season) brings daily afternoon rains to the
country.
Temperatures remain nearly constant all year round with variations
primarily related to altitude.
Lowlands temperatures average between 80 and 90 degrees; Central Valley
temperatures average around 72 degrees.
Temperatures in the mountains drop into the 50s and below.
San José temperatures can be hot during the day, but usually cool off
to sweater weather in the evening.
The coastal waters are an almost constant 74 degrees on both coasts.
GEOGRAPHY
Located on the isthmus between North and South America.
Sits between 8 and 11 degrees North Latitude.
Bordered to the north by Nicaragua; to the south by Panama; to the west
by the Pacific Ocean; to the east by the Caribbean Sea.
Land area of 19,730 square miles (about the size of West Virginia).
288 miles maximum length.
161 miles maximum width along northern border.
74 miles minimum width along southern border.
631 miles of Pacific coastline.
132 miles of Atlantic coastline.
Four major mountain ranges running roughly northwest to southeast, all
of volcanic origin
Highest peak is Cerro Chirripó at 12,536 feet.
Over two hundred volcanoes have been identified; around a dozen are
classified as active.
PEOPLE
Ticos are famous for being friendly and helpful. There are a little more
than three million of us, over half residing in the Central Valley
around San José. We are mainly of European descent, mostly Spanish.
However, you are likely to see any nationality you can name as Costa
Rica has drawn immigrants from all corners of the globe.
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