NASA declares Costa Rica #1 Healthiest Climate
According to NASA, Costa Rica has the healthiest climate in the world.
The country's location, north of the Equator and south of the Tropic of Cancer, is a big factor in its winning the top spot. Temperatures in this region show very little fluctuation, which, for most of us, translates to "no cold and flu season". Of course, all Central American countries, like Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala, fall into this same tropical region. So what makes Costa Rica stand out?
It's the micro-climates. For a country no bigger than West Virginia, Costa Rica has a diversity that can't be beat. The Cordillera Central, the chain of mountains that divides the country east from west, also separates the weather patterns. If you prefer a warmer, more humid climate, you'll love the Caribbean coast. If you like it warm and dry, like Arizona, you'll thrive in the Pacific Northwest. In the mountains themselves you'll find cooler temperatures and pine trees, something not usually associated with tropical climates.
Guanacaste, in the Pacific northwest, has only two seasons the rainy (May - Nov.) and the dry (Dec - April). In this region, visions of never ending rain during the wet season are often exaggerated. The sun shines almost every morning, even in the rainy season. The average temperature is 80.8°F and the annual rainfall is 59- 79 inches, most of which falls in September and October. This is the area where the city folk of San Jose like to spend their vacations. The many small beaches that dot the coast line each has its own typre of sand and surf, which means there is something for everyone. Popular vacation spots in this area are Flamingo and Potrero for swimming, sailing and fishing, Tamarindo and Playa Grande for surfing, and Jaco, which is the closest beach to the capital city.
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is in the Central Valley, a plateau in the mountains, where temperatures rarely fall below 68 degrees or above 85. Other areas in the mountains, like Arenal and Monte Verde, have more rainfall and are home to many of the dairy farms of the country, due to the lushness of the grass. The volcanic activity of these mountains has also created other benefits -- there are many hotsprings with mineral baths in the area.
On the Caribbean side, you'll find the beaches that looks like that beer ad, with the white sand and clear, blue water. You'll also find the most rain, but againthe temperatures remain constantly pleasant, falling into the 80's on average. The diversity of wildlife near Limon, Puerto Viejo and Cahuita are the major attractions for tourists, with surfing and fishing are not far behind.
So next time you visit Costa Rica, why not choose your vacation spot by its climate?
