The RECOCARNO area falls almost entirely within the Northern Region area, dominated by the Massif du Nord (Northern Massif). Cap-Haïtien lies on the 18 miles wide Plaine du Nord (Northern Plain), on which the central processing facility is also being constructed.

RECOCARNO coffee is grown at altitudes between 400 and 1,200 metres. Haïti's name comes from the Arawak word for 'mountainous land' and 60% of all its land comprises gradients of 20% or steeper.

Rivers in the area are often torrents - sometimes making routes between RECOCARNO locations impassable - during the rainy season (from February to May, though this may be prolonged) as a result of the northeast trade winds. During the 3 months before this, they carry a fraction of the water. The June to September hurricane season can bring torrential rain and very extensive flooding, most recently in September 2004 as a result of Hurricane Jeanne.

Rainfall decreases from east to west across the northern peninsula and can average nearly 80 inches per year in the eastern part of the Massif du Nord and in parts of the Northern Plain.

The Haïtian tropical climate supports the cultivation of a wide variety of tropical crops, including maize, sugar cane, cassava and fruits and vegetables, in addition to coffee and cocoa.

Haiti's climate is generally hot and humid, and temperatures vary more over the course of a day than from season to season. Highs are generally around 30°C (85°F), while night-time lows can reach 20°C (65°F). The summer (June to August) can be slightly hotter than the winter, while temperatures drop markedly at higher elevations. The rainy season varies: Along the northern coast, it runs from October to May, while the southern claw can expect rain from May to October.