# Travel >> Destinations >> Central America

Mesoamerica's Two Dominant Climate Types

The Mesoamerican culture area (central Mexico → Costa Rica) is defined by two primary climate zones that shaped its civilizations:

1. Tropical Climate (Lowlands & Coasts)

Latitude: ~10°N–20°N (below Tropic of Cancer).
Temperature: Consistently warm (24–28°C / 75–82°F) year-round.
Rainfall: High (1,500–4,000+ mm), distinct wet (May–Oct) / dry (Nov–Apr) seasons.
Ecosystems: Tropical rainforest (Selva Lacandona, Petén), mangroves, savanna.
Civilizations: Olmec, Maya (lowlands), Totonac, Huastec.
Crops: Maize (multiple crops/yr), cacao, cotton, rubber, tropical fruits.

2. Subtropical / Highland Climate (Altiplano & Valleys)

Elevation: 1,500–2,500 m (5,000–8,000 ft).
Temperature: Mild days (18–22°C), cool nights (5–10°C). Frost possible.
Rainfall: Moderate (600–1,200 mm), summer-concentrated.
Ecosystems: Pine-oak forest, grassland, lake basins (Texcoco, Pátzcuaro).
Civilizations: Teotihuacan, Toltec, Aztec (Triple Alliance), Zapotec (Monte Albán).
Crops: Maize (single cycle), beans, squash, amaranth, maguey.

Microclimates & Verticality

Steep gradients create "vertical archipelagos" — communities exploited multiple zones (e.g., Aztec pochteca traded highland obsidian for lowland cacao/feathers).