Does Atenas, Costa Rica Have the World's Best Climate?

[Danny Solano Alvarez]

Saying that you have “The Best Climate in the World” is quite a claim. The little town of Atenas Costa Rica, nevertheless has stepped up and asserted that it has the best climate in the world. The motto is plastered across the backs of all buses in Atenas, on a few billboards, and even graces the name of a restaurant in town. Read anything about Atenas and you will find the “best climate” remark.

But is it true?

“For me, Atenas has a perfect climate because we have long sunny days where the temperature rarely goes above 86-87 degrees (F), allowing you to enjoy lounging pool side. The nights in the mountains are fresh with temperatures dipping into the mid 60's, a great sleeping temperature using only a light blanket,” commented Dennis Easters, of Pure Life Development of Atenas real estate.

“We have a very stable climate without extremes of heat or cold. It’s one of the healthiest climates in Costa Rica,” affirmed native Atenas resident Walter Carranza.

“This is the sun belt of the Central Valley,” added Atenas resident Judi Purdy from Colorado.

Atenas County is located on the western edge of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, where the mountains spill away to the Pacific Coast. Less than an hour away are the capital city of San Jose to the east, and some of the best Pacific Coast beaches to the west. Composed of mountains and valleys, Atenas ranges in elevation from 2,200 to 4,000 feet.

Atenas receives 2,500 hours of sun per year, according to data from the Costa Rica National Meteorological Institute. That works out to almost seven hours of sunshine on average per day, which is above the national average of six hours. San José, for example, averages only 5.2 hours of sun per day.

“Atenas town enjoys a moderate climate. So, we can conclude that the climate is very warm during the day but temperatures drop significantly at night,” writes Atenas historian Eladio Valerio on his website Atenasonline.com.

Average daily temperatures in Atenas range from 72 to 85 F during the day, and 60 to 68 F at night. Temperatures along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, on the other hand, sizzle in the 90s F during the day and mid to high 70s F at night.

Over all, it appears that while Atenas’ climate may or may not be top of the charts, for its 27,000 residents it certainly is ideal. The special climate helped give Atenas its ranking as a top place to retire by International Living, HelpAge International and AARP.

Looking for real estate in Costa Rica? Check out Atenas. Reliable realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras of Pure Life Development of Atenas can help you with Atenas homes for sale and Atenas real estate.

Article by Shannon Farley

[Donna Esposito]

Painful to read this if you live in Canada! But I enjoyed it anyway.