10
facts you should know about Costa Rica before you go
1- A GEOGRAPHICAL SNAPSHOT
Costa Rica, the
third-smallest republic (after El Salvador and Belize) of Central America, is
located on the narrow isthmus connecting North and South America. It is
bordered to the north by Nicaragua and to the southeast by Panama; the Pacific
Ocean washes the western coast, and the Atlantic Ocean, or Caribbean Sea, laps
its eastern shore. This small country is situated in the tropics, between 8°
and 11° North latitude and between 83° and 85° West longitude.
A backbone of
volcanoes and mountains extends north to south, the ranges, or cordilleras,
being an extension of the Andes Sierra Madre chain. There are four distinct
mountain ranges—Guanacaste and Tilarán in the north, Central and Talamanca to
the south. As a live part of the Pacific “Rim of Fire,” Costa Rica is home to
seven of the isthmus’s forty-two active volcanoes. Earth tremors and small
quakes that shake the country are not an unusual occurrence. Many dormant or
extinct cones are also dotted along the mountain ranges.
2-
The country is divided into seven provinces: San José,
Heredia, Alajuela, and Cartago, whose capital cities make up the central
valley; Guanacaste, along the northwestern area of the country; Puntarenas,
which runs from the center of the Pacific coast south; and Limón, which covers
the Caribbean coast and is characterized by its Afro-Caribbean culture.
The highest point
of the country is Mount Chirripó, which rises majestically to 12,532 feet
(3,820 meters). Its amazing vistas, fresh air, cloud forests, and high,
treeless plateau, or paramo, are all protected under the national park network.
3-
The Meseta Central, a high-altitude plain,
occupies the heart of the country. San José, the capital, is located in the
center, surrounded by the neighboring cities of Heredia, Alajuela, and Cartago.
Almost two-thirds of the population live in this small, fertile valley,
surrounded by the majestic Irazú, Poás, and Barva volcanoes. The verdant
foothills above the city yield premium-quality, high-altitude coffee, exotic
flowers for export, and a wide variety of vegetables. The countryside is dotted
with abundant dairy farms, which produce delicious cheeses and other fresh
dairy products. Above the pastures, protected areas help to conserve the cloud
forests that drape the mountaintops and are home to the distinctive red and
green quetzal bird.
4- CLIMATE
Costa Rica has a tropical climate, modified
by topography. The country has two seasons, the wet season, or invierno
(winter), generally between May and November, and the dry season, verano
(summer), from December to April. The wet season is characterized by sunny
mornings followed by torrential downpours later in the day. There are
occasional temporales
throughout the rainy season. These consist of continual drizzles, usually
lasting a few days. The wet season has become known as the “green season” in
the tourist industry. On the Caribbean coast the dry season tends to be
shorter, though September and October are usually the driest months there, when
the rest of the country is experiencing its wettest weather. The Pacific
northwestern area of Guanacaste is characterized by the driest climate in the
country, though it too has a well-defined rainy season.
The dry season brings clear skies, sunny
days, and breezes. December can be outright windy, with its famous north winds.
Pelo de
gato, or “cat’s hair,” is a fine mist that is blown down over the
mountain slopes at this time of year, and afternoon rainbows over the mountains
add to the magic. Clear, windy nights in the summer months can bring quite cool
temperatures to the Central Valley and surrounding mountains. Temperatures vary
little between the seasons, the main influence on temperature being altitude.
Both coasts are generally very hot and humid, with the Caribbean coast being a
few degrees cooler than the Pacific.
6- The lowland
plains are also hot and humid. As you climb, the temperature cools. In one of
the coldest spots, Mount Chirripó, it is not unusual to have morning frost and
sheets of ice covering the small lakes. The mean temperature for San José,
situated at 3,691 feet (1,125 meters), is a comfortable 75°F (24°C).
7- These
near-perfect conditions contribute to the agreeable nature of the Ticos.
Because they do not have to fight the elements for survival, they can focus on
enjoying their idyllic climate.
8- THE REGIONS
History and geography have combined to unite
the seven provinces of Costa Rica into a single, peaceful fraternity. Despite
distinct regional differences, the Ticos share a strong sense of national
identity. The seven provinces are Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Limón, Heredia,
Alajuela, Cartago, and San José.
Guanacaste
The large northwestern province of Guanacaste
once belonged to Nicaragua. Its secession is celebrated every year on July 25,
the Annexation of Guanacaste. This province differs from the rest of the
country in being strongly influenced by indigenous culture, and the mixture of
peoples has given the Guanacastecos their rich moreno
(dark brown) complexion. They maintain many of the Chorotegas’ historical and
cultural traditions—in their foods, dances, and local crafts—and the hot
tropical region of Guanacaste is the source of many of the indigenous
traditions still treasured and practiced nationally today. Their folklore and
dances are widely valued as part of the national patrimony. The people of
Guanacaste are known for their openness and spontaneity.
9- Liberia, the
capital, is located along the Inter-American highway. Its airport has become an
important entry point for tourists. Guanacaste is a land of natural beauty
encompassing lowland “dry” forests, vast, windswept plains, impressive volcanic
mountain ranges, cloud forest and rain forest, national parks with vast
underground caves, and miles of spectacular tropical beaches along the Pacific
coast.
10- The cowboys,
or sabaneros,
of the Guanacaste plains tend herds of cattle on large ranches, an occupation
dating from the time when the region was still a part of Nicaragua. The
cultivation of abundant and exquisite fruits, such as papaya, guanabana,
and melons, is also an important local industry. The tourism boom of the last
few decades has brought a flourishing economy to the area.
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