Geographic environment
Globally, the geographic distribution of the forest species Guaiacum sanctum—commonly known as guayacán real—is confined to the region surrounding the Caribbean Sea. Its natural range includes the Antilles or Caribbean islands, the southern part of the state of Florida (USA), southeastern Mexico, portions of Central America, and parts of northern South America.
Interestingly, in Costa Rica—as well as throughout Central America—Guaiacum sanctum did not establish itself along the Caribbean coast, but rather on the opposite side of the isthmus: in the coastal regions facing the Pacific Ocean. There, it thrives within the Tropical Dry Forest ecosystem, characterized by two well-defined and extended annual seasons: dry and rainy. This forest type stretches from southern Mexico to the province of Guanacaste in northern Costa Rica.
The environmental conditions along the Caribbean coast of Central America—characterized by a relatively constant rainfall throughout the year—favor the development of Tropical Humid Forests rather than Tropical Dry Forests. As a result, these conditions are not conducive to the growth of Guaiacum sanctum.