Costa Rica : Profile

Facts

• Costa Rica has coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, the latter being the more attractive for cruising.

• The hilly interior and attractive capital San José can be visited from either Puntarenas or Limón.

• The marina which is part of the Los Suenos Resort, a luxury development at Herradura, in the eastern part of the Gulf of Nicoya, is a good base from which to explore the country.

Weather

The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is drier, while the Atlantic coast has heavy rainfall. Both coasts are hot and humid. December to April are the dry months, while May to November are wet, hot and humid. The east coast is under the influence of the NE trade winds during the winter months, but the west coast has light winds and often calms. Costa Rica is rarely affected by tropical storms.

Main Ports

Atlantic Coast:  Puerto Limon *

Pacific Coast:  Golfito * , Playa Herradura , Playa de Coco * , Puntarenas * , Quepos *

*Indicates a port of entry.

Related Reports

Costa Rica Yacht Club Puntarenas Clearance Updates (06 May 2008)

South Florida to Costa Rica Route Advice (01 Nov 2007)

Report On Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador (29 Aug 2007)

PAPAGAYO SAILING CUP 2007  (25 Jan 2007)

World Cruising Handbook Corrections and Updates 8: North, Central and South America (08 Jan 2007)

Advice on routing from Costa Rica to Galapagos (14 Jun 2006)

Advice Needed On Panama to Golfito passage (14 Jun 2006)

Cruising Notes Costa Rica, Cocos Island (24 May 2005)

World Cruising Handbook – Corrections May to December 2003 (19 Nov 2004)

New expanded "Cruising Ports: Florida to California via Panama" now published (07 Jan 2003)

Attractions near to Los Suenos (02 Oct 2001)

Related News

Caribbean Marine Association Formally Launched (27 Feb 2006)

Costa Rica Tightens Procedure for Visiting Yachts (04 May 2002)