At lower elevations to the west the bordering ecoregion is the Central American dry forests region.

[3] Because the ecoregion is in the rain shadow of the mountains, there is a distinct dry season (December through March).

The plants of the region have accordingly developed adaptations for coping with the dry season, such the deciduous trees dropping their leaves in winter.

Animal life in the ecoregion is linked to the wetter regions to the east and higher elevations.

[1] IN the past 100 years, humans have cleared most of the area for agriculture, only perhaps 10% of the forest remains in its original state.