Rainforest Stream, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio Beach, Central Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson
Whales Tail, South Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy Casa Ramon
My First View of Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson
Rainforest Canopy Bridge, Costa Rica
Playa Herradura, Central Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson
Playa Esterillos Este, Central Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson
Osa Peninsula Sunset, Costa Rica
Hummingbird and Passion Flower, Costa Rica
Geography and Climate - Two Rivers by Merritt Brown

Costa Rica boasts an interesting variety of micro climates and topography. The central mountain range, running from the northwest to the southeast of the country, includes four volcanic formations: Central, Guanacaste, Tilaran, and Talamanca, which surround the Central Valley with an imposing wall, protecting more than half of the country’s population, as well as the four main cities: San Jose, Cartago, Heredia and Alajuela. With altitudes ranging from 1000 to 1800 meters above sea level, the Central Valley is characterized by rolling hills, terraced farms, tropical rainforests and cloud forests. Outside the Central Valley, the seaward slopes of the central mountains plunge towards the coasts, carving the landscape with fast flowing rivers which provide Central America with the largest source of electrical power. On the oceanfront, both the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines are blessed with some of the most enchanting, postcard perfect beaches in the world.

Gallery

Geography and Climate - Tabacon Hotspring by Stig Pedersen
Geography and Climate - Sunset by Marc Lewkowitz
Geography and Climate - Rice Field by Arturo Sotillo
Geography and Climate - Monteverde by Stig Pedersen
Geography and Climate - Costa Rican Cloud Forest by Stig Pedersen
Geography and Climate - Costa Rican Dusk by Stig Pedersen
Geography and Climate - Rainy Day at Quepos by David Thompson
Geography and Climate - Rural Landscape by Marc Lewkowitz
Geography and Climate - That time of day by Merritt Brown
Geography and Climate - Costa Rican Tropical Rain by Arturo Sotillo
Geography and Climate - Costa Rican Sunset by Arturo Sotillo
Geography and Climate - Costa Rican Thunderstorm