Posts tagged Beaches

One of the first questions that people ask before they come to Costa Rica is, “How’s the weather down there?” Costa Rica has an ideal tropical climate, averaging between 72°F (22°C) and 75°F (24°C) over the entire country. And these do not vary much throughout the year.

Costa Rica has two well-defined seasons: the wet season or winter, running from May to November, and the dry season or summer, running from December to May. A peculiar two weeks occur each June called “little summer”, when all the rain stops for a two-week period. The country almost “tips over toward the Pacific” as huge numbers of Ticos (local name for Costa Ricans) take their vacations and head to the beach. We are in the midst of that anomaly at this time, but it is nearing its end and the rain will start again any day now. During the rainy season in Costa Rica, you will start off the day with beautiful sunshine and blue skies, but in the afternoon it will cloud up and begin raining at about 1 or 2 pm each day and it can be a long or short rain followed by some evening showers. Everyone plans their activities around these times as it is almost like clockwork and if you sun dry your clothes, you must remember to bring them in by early afternoon. Some might say that’s too much rain, but there is a saying: “no rain, no rainbows” and here in Grecia we have the most beautiful rainbows and many times double rainbows. And the rain is what gives the land that beautiful tropical flora in great abundance. On our lot, which is 5,000 sq. meters, and is just shy of a manzana (1.73 acres), we have been able to see hibiscus grow to flower in one season. Plants and flowers grow at a truly amazing rate in this land and soil type as well as the ideal climate.

Temperatures in Costa Rica vary more with altitude than by season. In the mountains, the temperature is generally cooler, whereas in the lowlands and near the beaches, the temperature is generally much warmer. Costa Rica’s coolest weather is from November through January, while its warmest weather is from March through May. But again, in the higher altitudes of Grecia, we enjoy year-round moderate and cooler temperatures, a really perfect sleeping weather if you are one who enjoys cool evening air.

If you’re looking for an ideal spring-like climate all year round, then look no further than the Central Valley. The Central Valley, specifically Grecia, has the mildest daytime and nighttime temperatures of anywhere else in the country and is quite naturally the absolute best place in which to live. Rated among the best in the world by National Geographic, the climate of the Central Valley is characterized by very little humidity, lots of sun, and a cool mountain breeze. The weather is simply as delightful as it sounds. I wish I could use the word “perfect”, but I will at least say it is as close as we have found in our travels.

The Central Valley is at the center of Costa Rica, and Costa Rica is about the size of the State of Virginia. With a quick 2-hour ride, you can be relaxing at the beach in Jaco on the Pacific side where they have a zillion restaurants, or you can go the other direction and there you are at the Caribbean side, which is far less populated and touristy. The Central Valley is home to two thirds of the Costa Rican population, who get to enjoy the warm, sunny climate and tropical landscape. In El Cajon de Grecia, where we live, the temperature year round usually does not exceed 75°F in the daytime and down to 65°F at night.

Grecia has the reputation of being the cleanest town in Central America, and it is well-earned and truly amazing how the shopkeepers will begin their sweeping from the street to their store instead of the reverse. Grecia has an ideal climate that is cool, fresh, and breezy during daytime and nighttime, with an average temperature of 75°F. With its green and unspoiled environment and temperate climate, Grecia is the perfect place to live in.

We are often asked, “Why don’t you just live at the beach?” And our response is: “Where daytime temperatures are really hot?” Grecia and El Cajon, where we live, are only two hours from the beach and when they finish the new highway, that time travel should be reduced at least to an hour and a half ride. “Why are you not at the beach where you can scuba and lay around?” The answer is to enjoy a year-round milder climate and cool nighttime temperatures.

Cheryl and I always wanted to retire in Hawaii because the weather there is perfect every day, just as the weather here in El Cajon de Grecia. However, we decided to retire in Costa Rica, where we enjoy that same Hawaiian lifestyle and weather, only at a hugely discounted cost, comparatively.