List of rivers of Costa Rica facts for kids
Costa Rica is a beautiful country in Central America, famous for its amazing nature, including many rivers! Rivers are like natural highways for water, flowing from mountains and forests all the way to the ocean. They are super important for plants, animals, and people. Rivers provide water for drinking, farming, and even making electricity. They also create homes for lots of wildlife and are great places for adventures like rafting.
Contents
Where Rivers Flow: Drainage Basins
A drainage basin is like a giant bowl where all the rain and water from an area collects and flows into one main river, which then carries it to a lake or the ocean. Costa Rica's rivers flow into two main drainage basins: the Caribbean Sea on the east side and the Pacific Ocean on the west side.
When a smaller river flows into a bigger river, it's called a tributary. Sometimes, a river splits into smaller streams as it gets closer to the ocean; these are called distributaries.
Rivers Flowing to the Caribbean Sea
The rivers on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica often flow through lush rainforests and lowlands before reaching the sea. These rivers are important for the rich biodiversity of the region.
- San Juan River (This river forms part of the border with Nicaragua.)
- Colorado River (This is a distributary, meaning it branches off from the San Juan River.)
- Sarapiquí River
- Toro River
- Sucio River
- San Carlos River
- Pocosol River
- Lake Nicaragua (Nicaragua) (Some rivers in Costa Rica flow into this large lake in Nicaragua, and then the lake's water eventually reaches the Caribbean Sea through the San Juan River.)
- Frío River
- Sabogal River
- Celeste River (Also known as Buenavista River, famous for its bright blue color!)
- Zapote River
- Niño River (Also called Pizote River)
- Sapoá River
- Frío River
- Suerte River
- Tortuguero River
- Reventazón River (This is one of Costa Rica's most important rivers for generating electricity.)
- Parismina River
- Jiménez River
- Atirro River
- Pejibaye River
- Orosí River
- Parismina River
- Pacuare River (Known for its exciting white-water rafting!)
- Matina River
- Chirripó Duchi River (Also known as Chirripó Atlañtico River)
- Banano River
- Estrella River
- Sixaola River (This river forms part of the border with Panama.)
- Yorkin River
- Uren River
- Lari River
- Coen River
- Telire River
Rivers Flowing to the Pacific Ocean
The rivers on the Pacific side of Costa Rica often flow through drier areas or steep mountains before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Many of these rivers are shorter and have more dramatic changes in elevation.
- Tamarindo River
- Nosara River
- Tempisque River (This is one of the longest rivers in Costa Rica, flowing through the Guanacaste region.)
- Bebedero River
- Cañas River
- Piedras River
- Corobicí River
- Tenorio River
- Cañas River
- Salto River
- Liberia River
- Colorado River
- Bebedero River
- Abangares River
- Lagarto River
- Guacimal River
- Aranjuez River
- Barranca River
- Jesús María River
- Tárcoles River (This river is known for its large population of crocodiles!)
- Pirris River
- Naranjo River
- Savegre River (This river is known for its clean water and beautiful surroundings.)
- Térraba River (Also known as the Grande de Térraba, it's the largest river in Costa Rica by water volume.)
- Coto Brus River
- General River
- Sierpe River
- Coto Colorado River
- Río Ceibo
- Chacuaco River
- Claro River (Costa Rica)
- Colón River
- Conte River
- Diamante River (Costa Rica)
- Jaba River (Costa Rica)
- La Palma River
- Limón River (Costa Rica)
- Negro River (Costa Rica)
- Rincón River
- Riyito River (Costa Rica)
- Síngrí River
- Tigre River (Costa Rica)
- Volcán River
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Ríos de Costa Rica para niños
- Water resources management in Costa Rica
- List of rivers of the Americas by coastline
