HIDROGRAPHY.

Costa Rica has an extensive river system, which is distributed in three dimensions, defined naturally by the mountain system of the country, and are classified according to its mouth on northern slopes, Caribbean and Pacific. The rivers that form the northern slopes drain into the Lake of Nicaragua or the San Juan river, are generally short and have a torrential regime. Some are born on the slopes of volcanoes. The most important rivers in this watershed are: Sapoa (32 km), cold (70 miles), Estates and San Carlos (125 km). In this river is joined by Tenorio, Coto and Death, to form the river system that bathes the plains of San Carlos and Guatusos. The other side of this river system is formed by the rivers Toro, Fourth and Dirty, which unite to form the Sarapiqui River (103 km), which is navigable for more than half of its course. The rivers of the Caribbean slope have a constant stream throughout the year, associated with abundant rainfall in the Atlantic region. 


The most important is the Sixaola River (76 km), which forms a natural border with Panama, was born in the foothills of the Cordillera de Talamanca and is navigable. They also emphasize the Colorado River (navigable), Tortuguero (85 km), Pacuare (133 km), Reventazón (110 km), Parismina (92 km, called the last three because it is practiced, for part of the year, the sport of rafting ), Jimenez, Matina, Moin, Lemon, Banana, Bananito and The Star.The rivers of the Pacific slope are usually quiet, with a flow less torrential, born on the slopes of volcanoes.


The most important river is the river Tempisque, whose length is 144 km, is navigable, and is a major river system composed of rivers such as Liberia, Bag, Jump, Potrero, Piedras Blancas, Tenorio, Corobicí, Cañas and Lajas, which Irrigation gives the important agricultural region of Guanacaste.In the Nicoya Peninsula include rivers Morote, Nosara, Lajas and Bongo. Rivers Guacimal, Abangares, Aranjuez and Barranca born Tilarán saw during the dry season and its volume shrinkage. In the Central Pacific region lie the rivers Mary and Jesus Tárcoles, whose waters come from the West Central Valley, its tributaries are the Rio Grande and Virilla that have their sockets in the provinces of San José, Heredia and Alajuela.River Basin Tárcoles (111 km) is very important for the country, as it provides all the wealth of its natural resources. It has an area of ​​2,121 km2, a rainfall of 2 456 mm and a flow rate of 48 liters per second and square kilometer. Parrita Rivers (82 km), Naranjo and Savegre deposit their water in the south Pacific. 


The Rio Grande de Térraba (or Diquis, its Aboriginal name), formed by the rivers General and Coto Brus, is the longest (186 km) river in the country. It is only navigable in its lower (22 km), when browsing a large area planted with oil palm. It flows through a wide delta covered in mangrove forests in the Golfo Dulce.

Tempisque River

Pacuare river