Costa Rica is located on an ithsmus which connects North and South America. At approximately 9 degrees north latitude, the country is located very close to the Equator. The close proximity to the Equator places Costa Rica within the global band of rainforests. This priveleged location contributes to an amazingly biodiverse ecosystem. Also contributing to the biodiversity is the drastic contrasts in elavation due to mountain ranges that rise sharply from sea level to well over 3,000 meters.

Costa Rica is often refered to as the Swiss Alps of Central America. This reference is derived from the mountainous terrain, which has helped in protecting much (but not all) nature from humans. Costa Rica is home to 12 distinct climate zones. An astounding 5% of the species of the world can be found in this amazing country!

Costa Rica is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The country is home to over 200 species of mammals, 850 species of birds, 150 species of amphibians, 200 reptile species, and over 35,000 species of insects! Costa Rica is also home to over 9,000 species of plants. This includes over 900 species of trees and 1,500 species of orchids.

The climate in Costa Rica is generally categorized into 2 seasons, the "Dry Season" and the "Green Season". The Dry Season is considered December through April. The Green Season is considered May through November. The Costa Rica weather does not change overnight however. Savvy tourists plan to experience the nice weather and lushness of the in-between seasons while saving money with Green Season pricing.