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Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Nicaragua borders Costa Rica to the north and Panama borders to the south. The country has a total land area comparable to the size of West Virginia: approximately 51,000 sq. km with 1,290 sq. km of coastline. However, in such a small area, you can find exotic beaches, national parks, volcanoes, rivers, 2 oceans, lakes, rain forest and a seemingly unlimited variety of flora and fauna.
The climate is tropical with the dry season lasting from December to May and the wet season from June to November. Rugged highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters (3,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level). The Guanacaste Mountain Range, Central Mountain Range, and Talamanca Mountain Range are the main mountain ranges extending the entire length of the country. There are several active volcanoes (Arenal Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Turrialba Volcano) and the country’s highest mountain (Chirripo Hill) with a height of 3,819 m/12,530 ft.
The country has a relatively long coastline in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as a number of rivers and streams that attract specialist kayakers and rafters from all over the world. Climate: Costa Rica’s year round climate is pleasant with naturally occurring breezes, cooling down most of the coastal areas. Temperatures in the highlands and mountains are not so cold, especially during day, producing an 'eternal spring' feeling. The average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C (89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland. The rainy or green season lasts from May to December with noticeably drier days during the rest of the year.
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