Costa Rica

Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Costa Rica is located between 8 and 12 degrees north of the Equator, and the climate is tropical year round. However, the country has many microclimates depending on elevation, rainfall, topography, and by the geography of each particular region. The "summer" or dry season goes from December to April, and "winter" or rainy season goes from May to November. Costa Rica is famous for its gourmet coffee beans. Ecotourism draws many tourists to visit the extensive national parks and protected areas around the country.