Costa Rica Climate - Kenneth Schaafsma

COSTA RICA CLIMATE

COSTA RICA CLIMATE
COSTA RICA CLIMATE - The climate in Costa Rica is a tropical climate. Costa Rica is located in Central America, north of Panama and south of Nicaragua at about 9 degrees latitude (varies between 8 degrees and 11 degrees above the equator). The coastal areas are warmer than the inland area where San Jose is located due to a mountain range that runs through the center of the country. The temperature at the beaches varies between 70F to 95F with the warmest and driest temperatures occurring during January, February and March. The green or rainy season runs from May to October with the peak rains in May and October with mostly afternoon showers. The Northern Pacific and Guanacaste Region is a dry tropical climate with desert like conditions. The Central Pacific region is a transitional area with green forest year around even during the dry season. The Southern Pacific Region of Costa Rica is a tropical rain forest and along with the Caribbean Coast, receives the most rainfall. The Caribbean Coast is more flat and marshy, but also stays green year around. The highlands area and The Central Valley has the most moderate climate with temperatures averaging between 70F to 85F during most of the year. The highest elevation in the country is called Cerro La Muerte with altitudes of above 11,000 feet and temperatures can dip to just about freezing, but no worries, it doesn't snow in Costa Rica. Seasonal variations in ocean temperatures and currents such as La Nina and El Nino can also change the weather patterns in all of the country, not just along the coastal areas and beaches.

If you are looking for a haven away from hurricanes, look no further. Costa Rica is generally too far south for hurricanes. Most hurricanes and the worst of the tropical storms and bad weather occur between Nicaragua, the Caribbean Islands up into Mexico, Texas and Florida. Costa Rica will have increased clouds and showers at times when hurricanes are present in the Caribbean, but most of the tropical winds, hurricane force winds and bad weather are far to the north.

Jaco Beach Weather is warm year around, with very little rainfall between January and April. The afternoon showers start in May and go through November. July is typically a dry month. June, and August have good weather with occasional late afternoon showers. October has the most rainfrall of any month and may be cloudy and overcast. All other months in the rainy season typically start out sunny and beautiful with clouds forming in the afternoon and a two hour shower at 4pm. When it rains in the rainy season, it typically rains very hard for short period of times. Thunderstorms are excellent to observe over the Pacific Ocean and in the lower mountain elevations.

As you can see, Costa Rica is a small country, but is big in biodiversity and also big with weather variations between its regions and also between elevations within its regions. Rainfall, cloud cover, elevation and also ocean currents can all affect the weather patterns in Costa Rica. If you are traveling to Costa Rica or just trying to find out the weather report for your home in Costa Rica, make sure you check with local sources in the region for which you live or are traveling to. If you are considering a real estate purchase, it is important to understand not only the different regions, but also the different seasons as green today may turn brown and dry during the choice months for your 2nd home stay, especially if you are snow bird looking to vacation in Costa Rica during a certain season or month of the year.

Ken Schaafsma and the staff at Oceanside Realty in Jaco Beach can assist you in the Central Pacific Region or any other reason of Costa Rica for which you have interest. Contact us today for complete information on Costa Rica's climate and also for allow of your questions and Costa Rica real estate needs.