The Pacific coastline wiggles and stretches 1,016 km (631 miles) around three peninsulas – Buriya, Nicoya and Osa – and in the process forms two significant gulfs, Golfo de Nicoya and Golfo Dulce. Although it has a narrow land mass – little more than 300 km (200 miles) at its widest – a series of rugged cordilleras (mountain ranges) part its length and form what’s also known as the great Continental Divide.

It has been reported that from atop Costa Rica’s highest point, Cerro de Chirripó (Mount Chirripó) at 3,820 meters (12,530 feet), you can see both oceans. The same has been reported at Irazú Volcano (3,432 meters/11,257 feet), the highest volcano, but you would have to be very lucky because clouds and haze obscure the view. High mountain ranges separate the climate between east and west coasts. Occasionally, when one half of the country is being drenched by rain, the other may be having a sunfest.

IN THIS CHAPTER