In the mid-19th century, the inhabitants of the Central Valley migrated to the south-east of the country, to the region now known as Los Santos. This region owes its name to the fact that most of its neighbourhoods are named after saints. Coffee has become the mainstay of the region's socio-economic development, along with ecotourism.
This region, protected by mountain ranges on the Pacific side, is a sanctuary for forests and birds. Coffee is grown on small farms averaging 2.5 hectares in the valleys and on the slopes of the country's highest mountains.
Los Santos has a well-defined seven-month rainy season (May to November) and a dry season (December to April). This climate favours the flowering and harvesting of cherries, which takes place over five months, from November to March.
