Geographical and Climatic characteristics

In La Zona Sur Pacifica (the Pacific Southern Region) of Costa Rica, you will experience the widest variety of climates in Costa Rica; from very cold in the Cerro de la Muerte to very hot in some coastal areas.

Half of the Pacific South is very mountainous and covered in dense vegetation, and thus provides many opportunities for eco-tourism. In the high mountainous regions the temperature is low and the climate pleasant. This is particularly true of the Cerro de la Muerte.

Once you begin your climb, you will come across pre-mountainous forests, followed by mountainous forest and at the highest point 'paramo' type vegetation. This type of vegetation is unique in Costa Rica; this is dwarf vegetation (never above 3 metres high), very woody and with thick leaves. By studying this vegetation, you can see how these plants have adapted to the altitude, allowing them to survive in a climate with low atmospheric pressure, high solar radiation, and high evaporation. These adaptations include plants which close at the time of highest radiation (mid-day), plants with leaves that are white on the back to help them repel excessive harmful sun-radiation, or plants which are covered in small hairs to help them retain as much moisture as possible. And there are many other adaptations.

In the forests of the lowest regions, you will be able to observe many trees with 'Old Man's Beard'; a moss which hangs from the trees and looks like a beard. There are also many epiphytes, orchids, other types of vegetation and wild animals. These forests in the high mountain regions are usually very wet, but, strangely, the average temperature in the forest is higher in winter than it is in the summer. This is because the humidity in the atmosphere helps to retain heat, so in the summer when there is low humidity, it is very cold. This is why some people prefer to climb Chirripo in winter.

The further you travel through the Zona Pacifica Sur and the flatter and lower the land, the higher the temperatures become. However, the temperature is not excessive and is bearable as long as you have a fan or air conditioning. The same can be said of the northern region of Costa Rica and of any tropical lowland region.

 There are green mountains in abundance in this region. These are rich in bio-diversity and are classified as 'Bosques Muy Humedos' (very humid forests) as is the Corcovado forest. In these forests, relative humidity is very high, temperatures are above 35 degrees centigrade and there is constant rain. Having said this, however, the bio-diversity is unique, and the forests provide the visitor with the opportunity to see a tremendous variety of birds, animals and insects.