Regional Weather Summaries

According to the Costa Rican National Meteorological Institute, Costa Rica is officially divided up into six climatic regions:

• Northern Zone

• Central Valley

• North Pacific

• Central Pacific

• South Pacific

• Caribbean 

 
A note about trade winds:
The weather patterns in Costa Rica are greatly affected by trade winds, known locally as alisios.  These winds blow with considerable force from December until February or March. They are responsible for carrying moisture to the cloud forests of the Tilaran Mountain range during the dry season.  During the rainy season (May-November) these winds are blocked by warm air masses that develop over the Pacific slope, leading to calmer winds and rain.

 
For more information, please see:
The Climate