Weather in costa rica

Costa Rica is a small country situated north of the equator. It experiences a diverse and wide-ranging temperate tropical climate manifested by two seasons, the dry and the wet. Though this country is around the vicinity of the equator, Costa Rica has no real winter or summer period, and it is sunny there most of the time. The sun rises early at around 5 am, and usually sets about 6 pm constantly the whole time of the year, which makes up almost 12 hours of sunshine each day.

The dry season in Costa Rica is believed to be during the months of December throughout April. Costa Rica experiences little or no rain at this period. Meanwhile the wet season is during the months of May to November, which has a temperature of 21 to 27 degrees Celsius or 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The country experiences heaviest rainfall mostly during September and October.

Costa Rica is divided into six climatic zones: Northern Zone, Central Valley, North Pacific, Central Pacific, South Pacific, and Caribbean. The variety of elevations at which different parts of the country is located is the reason for the diversity in Costa Rica's weather.

Northern Zone is the countryside part of the region, which is quite less populated that includes the provinces of Guanacaste, Alajuela and Limon. The higher parts of this region have an average temperature of about mid to upper teens Celsius, while the lower parts have mid to upper 20's Celsius throughout the year. Rainfall in the lowland averages to about 100 inches, whereas in the mountains it is about 140 inches.

Central Valley region includes the provinces of San Jose, Cartago, Heredia and Alajuela. The climate in this area ranges from warm to dry to humid and chilly that depends on where you are located.  The high elevations such as on the foothills of the Poas Volcano that averages to a temperature of 17.4 degrees Celsius or 62 degrees Fahrenheit. The rainfall in this side of the valley is 127 inches year round.

North Pacific includes part of the province of Guanacaste, the western area of Alajuela, and the northern section of the Puntarenas Province. This region is considered to be the sunniest region and one of the most visited due to its amazing beaches. North Pacific experiences annual temperature of 28 degrees Celsius or 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

The coastal region of Central Pacific includes parts of the provinces of Puntarenas and San Jose, as well as the beaches Jaco, Dominical, Uvita, and Quepos. This region usually has an average temperature of 32 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The dry season ends from January to March, which makes this area experience very warm temperature until the month of May.

The South Pacific region includes the parts of Puntarenas. This part of the region has a diverse dry and rainy season. The temperature averages from upper 20's to low 30's degrees Celsius throughout the year. October is the wettest month of the year, while February is the driest.

Caribbean is the most humid and rainiest area of Costa Rica. Because of the humidity caused by the Caribbean Sea, heavy showers sporadically last for a couple of days. The average temperature in the coastal area is in the upper 20's degree Celsius or low 80's degree Fahrenheit. This area experiences the hottest temperature on the months of May, June and October, while lower temperatures during December through February.