If Costa Rica is closer to the equator than Florida - why is it not hotter?

Question

Just spent 2 weeks in CR and the weather was perfect! It's tropical, closer to the equator and in the green season - figured the heat and humidity would be at least the same as in Florida - but it was much more comfortable. How does that work?

Answer 1

Being close to the equator doesn't neccessarily mean hotter.  Countries on the equator or near it experience roughly the same temps all year round.  Temps near the equator vary rarely experience temps in the mid 90s.  Believe it or not, only two states in the country have never exceeded 100 degrees, and hawaii is one of them, and it is the state that is the fartherest south.  At the equator, it is usually in the 80s all year.  It never gets super hot, except for the humidity.  It actually gets hotter in south dakota than in costa rica in the summer at some point!  Costa Rica has a higher average temp than florida, but temps don't get as high as florida.  I hope this all makes since.

Answer 2

I guess cause Florida is a melting pot.

Answer 3

It is because of the sea breezes that are to come off the ocean. If the ocean waters are cooler than the breeze will feel cooler as well.

Answer 4

A couple of reasons...first of all, this time of year, the sun is shining more directly on the mid-latitudes (i.e. the U.S.) than the equator, thus there is more solar energy impacting the mid-latitudes which translates to warmer temperatures.  Another factor is actually the humidity, the more moisture there is in the air, the longer it takes to heat.  The humidity in CR is probably comparable to that of Florida...but it's also receiving less solar energy, so it just doesn't get as warm this time of year.  

The equator is not the hottest part of the world always, it just typically has the highest average temperature during the course of the entire year.