Geography
Costa Rica lies on the Central American isthmus, between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the southeast. The Pacific Ocean borders its western coast and the Caribbean Sea its eastern coast.
Coastal plains rise toward rugged mountain ranges, including the Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca. These mountains divide the Pacific and Caribbean watersheds and create a wide range of climates and habitats.
Its landscapes include tropical beaches, rainforests, cloud forests and volcanic highlands. Cerro Chirripó is the country’s highest mountain, reaching approximately 3,820 meters.
The Pacific side generally has a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from May to November. Conditions vary by elevation and region; Caribbean rainfall follows a different pattern.
