Hi everyone! As we move into the rainy season here in Costa Rica, I've been noticing some interesting changes in the weather and how the surrounding environment affects my day-to-day life. Let's explore the geography and climate of Costa Rica!
San José is located in a region known as the Central Valley, which also includes other major Costa Rican cities, such as Alejuela, Cartago, and Heredia. Although it is called a valley, it sits at a very high elevation. This region is surrounded by mountains, which I can see from my house, and even more so when I drive out of the city a little bit. The temperatures in this region are much cooler than the coastal areas, on both the Pacific and the Caribbean side, which have much lower elevations. Costa Rica has many micro-climates, where the weather can be very different, even in nearby areas. Another key point is that Costa Rica sits very close to the equator, which accounts for the constant temperatures year round.
Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity is a joy for Ticos and tourists alike. The wide range of animals and plants that can be observed in such a small country is truly amazing. The government works hard to protect biologically important areas through conservation efforts.
