The coastal regions of the Costa Rica Pacific with its long and irregular coastlines and beaches are quite different from the Caribbean Region. Here the coast is a smooth sweep of mangroves swamps, coastal forests and beaches. There are smaller tide variations and there is no dry season. When the rest of Costa Rica experiences more rain, here the nicest months are February, March, September and October. About half of the Caribbean Coastline is protected by two National Parks and two National Wildlife Refuges.
All of Costa Rica 's Caribbean Coast is part of the province of Limón, which covers 18% of the Costa Rica territory but only 9% of its population. One third of the habitants are blacks of Jamaican descent. Many speak still an English /Spanish Dialect (Spanglish) a very tropical sound to ears not used to it. Also several thousand BriBri and Cabecar Indians inhabit the southern part of the province.
Until 1949 the black population was discriminated by Constitution to live in the Caribbean Lowlands only, that, plus fewer roads and the many places that are only accessible by boat helped to slow down development in this part of Costa Rica. The Caribbean Coast has less than 10% of Costa Rica 's Hotels, while the Pacific Coast has over 40%. Costa Ricans are used to vacation on the Pacific and even since the new highway opened in 1987, which cut down the driving time in half, Costa Ricans still prefer the Pacific. Not so the foreign tourists. They like the cultural diversity, the romance associated with the word 'Caribbean' and the unhurried, gentle, laid-back live stile. Going north you need boats to reach the Tortuguero Canals that offer an impressive diversity of Flora and Fauna, to be observed from the boats.
Going south there is a single highway to the Panama border. There is a great variety of lodging available along the coast. From campgrounds to very basic cabins up to three star hotels.
Other Costa Rica Regions:
| 
