Costa lies to the south of Nicaragua and north of Panama, in Central America. The Caribbean Sea borders to the east, and the Pacific Ocean forms the western edge.

Due to its small size and varied topography, you can see an incredible variety of habitats even during a short trip to Costa Rica. The coastal lowlands are generally flat and hot, meeting up with the mountains that run through the middle of the country. A spine of rugged volcanic mountains runs down the center of the country, rising up to 3,820 meters (12,530 feet) above sea level at Cerro Chirripó. Four active volcanoes (Arenal Volcano, Irazú Volcano, Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and Poás Volcano) are scattered throughout the central mountain ranges. The country has a long coastline both in the Pacific and Caribbean, and many rivers that tumble from the highlands to the sea, making for some excellent rafting and kayaking options.

The country is divided into seven provinces, which are Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas, and San José.