Tropical weather

Hey, folks up North! This pineapple and mango smoothie is for you!

Sorry to gloat about the weather, but I see on CNN that a major winter storm is hitting the U.S. Northeast, with snow extending all the way into Georgia. I hope you will not be offended if I point out to you that the weather forecast for today is a low of 69 and a high of 92 F. or 22 to 33 C. That is the official forecast for the International Airport in Liberia, but in Tamarindo it should be a few degrees cooler, as we have breezes off the ocean, whereas Liberia is inland.

November to May is the dry season, which means that it is sunny and warm. Some people even refer to those winter months as the "summer" in our part of Costa Rica, although Cost Rica is in the northern hemisphere. The rest of the year, which is called the "green season," is nice as well. Many days it will be clear in the morning, with some clouds and perhaps some rain in the afternoon, and then clear again. There will be some tropical showers, mostly during September and October.

It is so sunny and dry during the peak season for tourists that the trees in northwest Costa Rica drop their leaves to conserve water. That makes the wildlife viewing easier.

So, how do we cool off during our warm, sunny weather. Well, there is the beach and the ocean, the pool, a walk in the shade, or going out on a boat or up into the mountains, or taking a break inside where it is air conditioned, or sitting on the patio catching the ocean breezes (or under the ceiling fan) with a drink while listening to the waves, or walking in town and having an ice cream, gelato, or smoothie like my choice shown in this photo.

By the way, I should add that on the Pacific side of Costa Rica we are not in the Carribean hurricane zone, as the high mountains running down the spine of Costa Rica keep the Carribean weather on the Carribean side.