# Palmares Canton, Alajuela Province – Population & Districts

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/palmares/

Canton · Alajuela Province 

# Palmares Canton

Palmares Canton is a canton of Costa Rica in Alajuela Province. It had an estimated **41,376 people** in 2021 on 39 km² (about 1,063 per km²). It is divided into 7 districts. 52 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 128 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 41,376people (2021)
- 38.9km²
- 7districts
- 128mapped services

## How many people live in Palmares Canton?

Palmares Canton had an estimated **41,376 people** in 2021 — 4.0% of Alajuela Province, 46th of 83 cantons. There are 1,006 women for every 1,000 men (above the Alajuela Province figure of 973). Spread over 39 km², that is about **1,063 people per km²**, 16th of 83 cantons.

19.9% of people are children under 15 and 11.0% are 65 or older; the median age is about 34 years (it is 32 across Alajuela Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 45 children and older people.

0–4 ****2,626**

5–9 ****2,826**

10–14 ****2,778**

15–19 ****2,695**

20–24 ****3,181**

25–29 ****3,474**

30–34 ****3,699**

35–39 ****3,346**

40–44 ****2,818**

45–49 ****2,401**

50–54 ****2,428**

55–59 ****2,414**

60–64 ****2,143**

65–69 ****1,671**

70–74 ****1,178**

75+ ****1,698**

Source: [Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, population 2021 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-cri).

## Where is Palmares Canton?

Palmares Canton lies in [Alajuela Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/), [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 3 other cantons: [Atenas Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/atenas/), [Naranjo Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/naranjo/) and [San Ramón Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-ramon/). By area it is the 72nd largest of 84 cantons in Costa Rica. It covers 0.4% of [Alajuela Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/). The centre of Palmares Canton is about 40 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. It is about 25 km from Alajuela, the main town of Alajuela Province. The centre point is at 10.0465° N, 84.4357° W.

Source: [Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-cri).

## Things to see in and around Palmares Canton

OpenStreetMap lists 3 named sights in Palmares Canton: 1 attraction; 1 nature reserve; 1 ruins.

- Reserva Biologica Madre Verde · nature reserve
- Parador fotográfico de Palmares · attraction
- Proyecto Abandonado Condominio Castillo Real · ruins

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Palmares Canton

- Time zoneUTC−6, no daylight saving · America/Costa_Rica
- CurrencyColon (CRC)
- Country calling code+506
- LanguagesSpanish, English
- Plug typesType A, B · 120 V
- Driving sideRight
- Postcode format5 digits (#####)

### Nearest airports

- Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · San José (Alajuela)26 km
- Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) · San Jose34 km

### Nearest railway station

Ojo de Agua (San Rafael), about 25 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.7 hours, sunrise around 05:16) and shortest in Dec (about 11.5 hours, sunrise around 05:46, sunset around 17:19).

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Districts of Palmares Canton

District People per km² Area km² Localities Services 

[Zaragoza](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/palmares/zaragoza/) 9,792 1,162 8.4 11 19 

[Buenos Aires](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/palmares/buenos-aires/) 8,844 1,293 6.8 10 30 

[Esquipulas](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/palmares/esquipulas/) 8,320 1,541 5.4 10 6 

[La Granja](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/palmares/la-granja/) 4,885 1,113 4.4 4 6 

[Palmares](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/palmares/palmares/) 3,766 3,165 1.2 3 62 

[Santiago](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/palmares/santiago/) 3,339 419 8.0 6 2 

[Candelaria](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/palmares/candelaria/) 1,735 368 4.7 8 3 

Source: [Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-cri); [Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, population 2021 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-cri).

## Villages and localities in Palmares Canton

Open gazetteers list **52 villages, towns and localities** in Palmares Canton. The largest with a recorded population: Santiago (2,107) and Esquipulas (1,512). Settlements here lie between about 997 m and 1,125 m above sea level (median 1,023 m).

- Alto La Cima
- Alto Las Palmeras
- Amistad
- Bajo Cabra
- Bajo La Cabra
- Bajo Las Palmas
- Bajo Los Orlich
- Bajo del Cas
- Bajos del Beneficio
- Buenos Aires
- Candelaria
- Cantarrana
- Cocaleca
- Concepción
- El Carmen
- El Común
- El Estadio
- El Invu
- El Progreso
- El Tanque
- Esquipulas
- I Griega
- Jireh
- La Chola
- La Cocaleca
- La Granja
- La Mina
- La Perica
- La Plaza
- La Recta
- Las Guarias
- Los Cipreses
- Los Ángeles
- Manantial
- Palmares
- Pinos
- Quebradas
- Ramírez
- Rincón
- Rincón de Salas
- Rincón de Zaragoza
- San Francisco
- San Vicente
- Santa Eduviges
- Santa Fe
- Santa Lucía
- Santiago
- Tres Marías
- Vargas
- Vásquez
- Zaragoza
- Zoológico

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of Palmares Canton

Named natural and historic features inside Palmares Canton, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

12 rivers and streams.

- Quebrada Azul
- Quebrada Burrogres
- Quebrada Calabozo
- Quebrada Chilamate
- Quebrada Cima
- Quebrada El Alto
- Quebrada Fierro
- Quebrada Grande
- Quebrada López
- Quebrada Mora
- Quebrada Santiago
- Quebrada Tirrá

### Hills and mountains

3 hills; 1 mountain.

- Alto de La Cruz · 1,385 m
- Cerro San Isidro · 1,245 m
- Cerro La Cruz · 1,223 m
- Alto La Cima · 1,174 m

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Palmares Canton and the best time to visit

In Palmares Canton, the warmest month is Apr (average 25 °C) and the coolest is Dec (22 °C). About 1,793 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Oct (301 mm) and the driest Feb (22 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **December to April**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 23 38 

Feb 24 22 

Mar 25 29 

Apr 25 76 

May 24 220 

Jun 24 209 

Jul 23 184 

Aug 23 198 

Sep 23 256 

Oct 23 301 

Nov 22 188 

Dec 22 70 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Palmares Canton

Places mapped inside Palmares Canton in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.

- Hospitals6
- Banks5
- Petrol pumps4
- Hotels2
- Shopping malls2
- Schools26
- Colleges and universities4
- Pharmacies8
- Restaurants65
- Police stations1
- Dental clinics5

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers

- Where is Palmares Canton?In Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
- What is the population of Palmares Canton?41,376 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in Palmares Canton?About 34 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of Palmares Canton?About 1,063 people per km²
- What borders Palmares Canton?Atenas Canton, Naranjo Canton and San Ramón Canton
- What is there to see in Palmares Canton?Parador fotográfico de Palmares, Proyecto Abandonado Condominio Castillo Real, Reserva Biologica Madre Verde
- What time zone is Palmares Canton in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in Palmares Canton?Colon (CRC)
- What language is spoken in Palmares Canton?Spanish, English (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Palmares Canton?52 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Palmares Canton?Settlements lie between 997 m and 1,125 m
- What is the highest point in Palmares Canton?Alto de La Cruz (1,385 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Palmares Canton?December to April
- How many hospitals are in Palmares Canton?6 mapped
- How many banks are in Palmares Canton?5 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Palmares Canton?4 mapped
- What is the P-code of Palmares Canton?CR207 (OCHA common operational dataset)