Location - The country holds a privileged place in the world, being located in the very center of the isthmus of Central America. It is flanked to the east and northeast by the Caribbean, to the southeast by Panamá and by Nicaragua to the north.
Extension - Costa Rica's total surface area is only 51.110 sq. km; but it contains a wide variety of rivers, plains, mountains, valleys, volcanoes, beaches; adiversified flora and fauna in numerous nature and wildlife reserves, and many more attractions for the tourist, including a wide range of climates.
Climate - Costa Rica is a small tropical country, situated between two oceans. These factors combine with a complex, mountainous topography, giving rise to a wide variety of habitats. These range from Tropical Dry Forest to Lowland Rainforest to Highland Paramo, with a corresponding variety of climatic conditions. In general, however, temperatures vary between 14 and 22 Celsius, in the high Central Valley and between 22 and 28 Celsius in the lowlands. Temperatures in each region remain relatively stable throughout the year, although some slight changes occur according to whether it is "Summer" (the dry season) or "Winter" (the rainy season). "Summer" usually prevails from December to April and "Winter" from May to November. These seasons are clearly defined on the Pacific side of the country but much less notable on the Caribbean side where precipitation is more evenly distributed throughout the year.
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