My biggest draw to Costa Rica was the weather and the ocean. What more is there?   The weather is warm year-round, and outdoor living and recreation are a massive draw for those who decide to reside in Costa Rica.

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The perfect balance in the Northern Regions of Costa Rica, Guanacaste.  There is a wet season, a dry season, and an in-between season.

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It's a perfect balance. 

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Raining all day, every day, is not always the norm, even in the "wet season."  Throughout the country, you may only get a few showers or hours of rain during the day. So there is plenty of time to be outside in the fresh air. Additionally, it's warm outside when it rains in many areas, making it more enjoyable and easier to handle.

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Surfing is one of Costa Rica's most popular attractions, thanks to the unique wind characteristics that shape the surf. The Tamarindo area gets waves all year, making it a popular draw for surfers. These waves in this area are nothing compared to other regions in the world known for monster waves (North Shore of Hawaii). The waves in Tamarindo are mild, making it a good place to learn to surf.

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When packing for Costa Rica, consider the region and time of year you plan to travel. Don't need much more than tank tops and flip-flops for the beach areas. At higher elevations, you will need a light jacket and long pants. Make sure you have sunscreen and a big spray.

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Make sure you are prepared for rain (unless you are visiting in the dry season).  

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Costa Rica is an enticing paradise where you can enjoy the beautiful jungle, a serene life on a mountainside, or a bustling city such as San Jose.  Which best suits your desires? 

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Costa Rica's pleasant year-round temperatures are consistent and comfortable, which appeals to many expats. Another draw is Costa Rica's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability, making it an attractive destination for those who want to support sustainable practices and the home of the Blue Zones.

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With easy access to the natural world, including pristine beaches, diverse wildlife visible outside of national parks, and lush rainforests, you can also be close to modern conveniences and excellent private healthcare, with many clinics being excellent.

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You don't want to be caught being in the public system, however. I recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip.  It's inexpensive and provides private healthcare, which is superb and top-notch.  Get in the public system and you'll wish you had died.

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Costa Rica is a famous land of outstanding natural beauty—lush rainforests, undiscovered beaches, enchanting mountain villages, and majestic volcanoes. Situated between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, this location generates diverse weather patterns across the country, resulting in a range of microclimates within its relatively small area.

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To fully understand the weather in Costa Rica, it’s advisable to research the specific regions you plan to visit, as well as the respective times of year, so that you can pack and plan your trip appropriately.

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Costa Rica is comprised of micro and macro climates, which govern the country and allow such diverse climates to thrive. 

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As previously mentioned, Costa Rica is known for its distinct dry and wet seasons. The dry season, known as verano (summer), is from early December to April. The other season is invierno (winter), which is from May to November.

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September and October tend to be the rainiest months; keep this in mind when planning your travel.  So, where to go, and when?  As you can see, there are many factors to consider.

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Sunrise and sunsets? Home of amazing sunsets and sunrises!  As Costa Rica lies close to the equator, daylight is approximately 12 hours each day, with sunrise beginning between 5:15 am and 6 am throughout the year. The sun sets between 5:40 pm and 6:30 pm, much earlier than the extended daylight hours people in the U.S. and Canada cherish during the summer months. A different occurrence for those used to longer days and shorter nights and vice versa (especially Canadians and those from Alaska and the northern hemisphere).

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Costa Rica has various regions, and many of them share similar climatic traits. When considering spending time in Costa Rica, it’s essential to determine which area best suits your plans and desires. As a tropical beach girl, I thrive in the hot and humid beach weather, yet enjoy the seasonal shifts between dry and wet seasons in Guanacaste.

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1. North Pacific Coast: The Gold Coast and the Nicoya Peninsula - Guanacaste

Costa Rica’s northernmost Pacific region is characterized by its flat, forested lowlands and warm climate. It’s essential to note that Guanacaste is the country's driest province, which results in water shortages at certain times of the year.

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The hottest period of the year spans from March to May, preceding the onset of the rains, and the wettest months are typically September and October. The Papagayo winds, which can be as strong as 70 mph, blow from December to March and are referred to as los vientos navideños (the Christmas winds) as they signify the start of the Christmas season.

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2. Northern Zone Lowlands

The Caribbean and its trade winds influence this region. You can enjoy its rainforests along with high daytime temperatures and cooler nights. Living options at higher elevations tend to be cooler during the day and less humid.

Arenal is an example of a microclimate, as the weather is noticeably different depending on one's location around the lake. When considering this area, visit La Fortuna, Nuevo Arenal, and Tronadora to get a feel for the different parts of the lake.

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3. Monteverde Cloud Forest

The cloud forest, which sits at a higher elevation than a rainforest, is a uniquely different occurrence. The daily cloud blanket produces water that drips off the foliage, feeding the vibrant green undergrowth. January to May is the dry season, while June to December is the rainy season.

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This rural mountainous area is part of the Tilarán Mountains of Costa Rica, and most people reside in Santa Elena.

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4. Central Valley

The central highlands boast a mild climate, characterized by warm daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures. The convenience of shopping, mild temperatures, and access to top-notch healthcare make it popular with expats, especially retirees.

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The beauty of lush mountains enclosing the Central Valley is stunning, and one can find plenty of options to live surrounded by nature or in a contrasting urban city setting.

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5. Central Pacific Coast

These coastal lowlands are hot and humid, characterized by rainforests. Manuel Antonio is home to a variety of reptiles, monkeys, and sloths.

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This part of Costa Rica experiences a more intense rainy season than in the northern region of Guanacaste, with its dry season lasting from January to March, resulting in a more humid climate.

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6. South Pacific and Southern Zone

Rainforests characterize the South Pacific coast lowlands and are generally hot and humid. December through April are the driest times here, yet it's wetter than the bordering Central Pacific zone.  As you travel south down the coast, you will find many pristine beaches. In Osa, you enjoy the dense jungle life that hugs the Pacific coast. 

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7. Caribbean Coast

This area features stunning Caribbean beaches and coastal flatlands that remain warm and wet for eight months of the year. Experienced surfers may long to surf Salsa Brava, the most significant break in the country, which breaks best during their dry season (November to April).

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The seasons in this area differ slightly from those in the rest of Costa Rica. February, March, September, and October are dry, while the other parts of Costa Rica experience heavier rains in September and October.

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Because Costa Rica’s location is very close to the equator, seasonal changes will not be as pronounced.  Therefore, four distinct seasons do not occur as they do in the U.S. and Canada.  No snow, yeah!

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That said, temperatures remain consistent throughout the year, averaging 80°F to 90°F on the coasts and 70°F to 80°F on the mountainsides and countryside. Ticos refer to the seasons based on rainfall instead of temperature, calling the dry season "summer" and the rainy season "winter," establishing the naming of the seasons by rainfall amount, not temperature.

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Rainfall

The tropical rain in Costa Rica allows the vegetation to be lush… the energy that radiates from vibrant greenness is intense, in a good way! The average annual rainfall is 100 inches, yet some places receive more. For example, the Caribbean coast receives around 138 inches of rain annually, while the South Pacific coast receives almost 200 inches of rain annually.

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Costa Rica does not have a monsoon season. However, when you look at the daily weather, it seems like it will rain all day, every day, with no hope for beach days, especially during the peak rainy season from mid-September into the start of November. Never fear… but it often only lasts for a short time, 10 minutes to several hours, at most.

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Hurricanes and Natural Disasters

Although Costa Rica experiences occasional natural disasters and the potential for being affected by hurricanes, it generally has a low occurrence of severe weather, except for torrential downpours, which often cause flooding.

The warm temperatures of the Caribbean Sea create the perfect environment for hurricanes. Luckily, Costa Rica is located under the hurricane belt.

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In addition, there’s a unique feature about the 'spine' of Costa Rica, mountain formations that resemble a backbone supporting the country. From the dormant Orosí Volcano near the Nicaraguan border down to the Cerro Chirripó, there is a straight line of volcanoes (some active while others are extinct or dormant) running about 270 miles. These formations, ranging from 6,000 to almost 11,000 feet above sea level, form a barrier between the two coastal areas at sea level.

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Fortunately, this wall-like mountainous system disturbs airflow patterns and often blocks hurricanes that end up further down south, rather than passing over Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. These mountains frequently create a ‘shield’ where storms that appear to directly hit Costa Rica usually bounce off this invisible barrier of cooler air and head north.

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This phenomenon is very similar to the Hurricanes on the Big Island. They hit the windward side, break up at the mountain; therefore, the leeward side is as calm as can be.

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There's a lot to think about and consider before planning your travels, including numerous microclimates, varying elevations, diverse temperatures, varying humidity levels, and diverse road conditions. 

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The roads, that's another story.