Growing up I always looked forward to the transition between seasons. It always seemed to bring about a fresh outlook on life. That things were changing, hopefully for the better. I guess I’ve always been an eternal optimist, clinging to the idea that the future will be better than the past.
When one thinks of a tropical country like Costa Rica, so close to the equator, what comes to mind generally is a place like Florida where there really is no notable change in the seasons. But that’s really not the case here.
We have two Costa Rica seasons, summer (or verano) and winter (invierno). Winter is the longest season and lasts from say mid-May until the mid-November. During that time we get rain most days. In dense tropical areas like the deep southern pacific coast it can rain non-stop for days on end. In the higher elevations, like San Jose, the rains are generally in the afternoons. In the northern pacific area, the province of Guancaste, the rainy season is more compact and the dry season longer. On the Caribbean coast the seasons are somewhat inverse to the rest of the country, with dry weather occurring at times of the most severe wetness on the Pacific Coast.
This tiny country is such an amazing study in contrasts, both environmentally and culturally. It makes living here unique and always adventurous. The period we are experiencing now in San Jose is the beginning of summer with winds blowing the clouds away for verano to ensue with full force sunshine. This transition period will last through Christmas. I like this time of the year, especially in San Jose, when the days are fresh and the nights chilly enough for a nice warm coat.
Mornings are crisp and clear and the evening sunsets are extraordinary during this period. I love it because just like during my Carolina childhood days, this changing of the seasons marks a change in the circumstances of life.
I love the Costa Rica seasons. I love the sun and the rain. I embrace the change, the contrasts that make life seem more alive and worth living.
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