- Provinces
- 7
- Cantons
- 84
- Population
- ~5.2 M
- Area
- ~51,100 km²
The seven provinces
| Province | Capital | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| San José | San José | The capital, museums, Central Valley; south to Chirripó |
| Alajuela | Alajuela | SJO airport, Poás, Arenal and La Fortuna, Río Celeste (partly) |
| Heredia | Heredia | Coffee, Barva volcano, Sarapiquí rafting and rainforest |
| Cartago | Cartago | Irazú, the Basilica, Orosi Valley, Turrialba rafting |
| Guanacaste | Liberia | Beaches, Rincón de la Vieja, Tamarindo, northern Nicoya |
| Puntarenas | Puntarenas | Monteverde, Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Uvita, Osa, southern Nicoya |
| Limón | Limón | Caribbean coast, Tortuguero, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo |
Provinces are split into 84 cantons and those into districts. For travellers the provinces matter less than the regions: the Guanacaste beaches, the Northern Plains around Arenal, the Central and South Pacific, and the Caribbean. See all our destination maps.
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Frequently asked questions
How many provinces does Costa Rica have?
Seven: San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón.
What is the largest province in Costa Rica?
Puntarenas is the largest, stretching along most of the Pacific coast from the Gulf of Nicoya to the Panama border, and including Cocos Island.
Which province is Arenal in?
Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna are in Alajuela province, in the canton of San Carlos.
Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.