I  am inevitably asked about Costa Rica’s weather on my monthly retirement tours. Costa Rica’s Central Valley has one of the best climate in the word. If you like spring-like weather then this is the place for you. I live in Heredia and don’t have air conditioning or heat in my home. I rarely sleep with more than one blanket at night. Atenas, the sleepy little mountain town, purportedly has the best climate in the world. If it isn’t the best it certainly come close.

In the tropics the lower the elevation the hotter the temperature. Conversely, the higher the elevation the cooler the temperature. Anyone who lives in the mountains above Heredia can tell you at times they need to light their fireplace to stay warm. The nice thing about Costa Rica is that you can basically choose the climate you want. If you want tropical, there is the beach. Those who like climates with spring-like weather can live in the Central Valley. While people who enjoy living in a cool alpine-like environment can live at higher elevations.

Rain? Yes, it does rain here. When I came here more than twenty-five years ago it didn’t rain nearly as much as it does now. If you look at weather patterns around the world you will notice  an increase in the number of  hurricanes, floods and extreme weather conditions. For example, at last count there were four hurricanes in the Caribbean this week. What we get from the tropical storms is a lot more rain. With the world’s weather going crazy, it is no wonder we now get  rain from April to November with little respite. September and October are by far the wettest months of the year because coincide with the hurricane season in the Caribbean. At times I think I must be living in Seattle, Washington because the rain seems to put a damper on everything.

Summer is really a misnomer here. From December to March the weather is warm during the day, cool at night  and windy. Around Easter we do have a couple of weeks where it does feel like a real summer.

I am originally from Southern California so as far as weather is concerned I consider myself spoiled. So. Cal has by far the best weather in the world.  If you are from a place like Arizona with its blistering summers, Florida with its sweltering humidity or Minnesota with its subzero winters, Costa Rica’s weather is a blessing. It all boils down to personal taste. Most people who live here love the weather and considered it an important reason for making the move.  On my retirement tours I have never had a client complain about the climate in the Central Valley. Most people say it is perfect.