# San Carlos Canton, Alajuela Province – Population & Districts

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

Canton · Alajuela Province 

# San Carlos Canton

San Carlos Canton is a canton of Costa Rica in Alajuela Province. It had an estimated **203,149 people** in 2021 on 3,353 km² (about 61 per km²). It is divided into 13 districts. 430 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 1,451 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 203,149people (2021)
- 3,353km²
- 13districts
- 1,451mapped services

## How many people live in San Carlos Canton?

San Carlos Canton had an estimated **203,149 people** in 2021 — 19.5% of Alajuela Province, 4th of 83 cantons. There are 957 women for every 1,000 men (below the Alajuela Province figure of 973). Spread over 3,353 km², that is about **61 people per km²**, 55th of 83 cantons.

24.2% of people are children under 15 and 6.9% are 65 or older; the median age is about 29 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 ****16,247**

5–9 ****16,260**

10–14 ****16,579**

15–19 ****16,570**

20–24 ****18,614**

25–29 ****19,618**

30–34 ****18,662**

35–39 ****16,216**

40–44 ****13,091**

45–49 ****11,066**

50–54 ****10,091**

55–59 ****8,958**

60–64 ****7,123**

65–69 ****5,418**

70–74 ****3,552**

75+ ****5,084**

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 San Carlos Canton?

San Carlos Canton lies in [Alajuela Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/), [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 8 other cantons: [Guatuso Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/guatuso/), [Los Chiles Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/los-chiles/), [Río Cuarto Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/rio-cuarto/), [San Ramón Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-ramon/), [Sarapiquí Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/heredia/sarapiqui/), [Sarchí Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/sarchi/), [Tilarán Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/tilaran/) and [Zarcero Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/zarcero/). By area it is the largest of 84 cantons in Costa Rica. It covers 34.3% of [Alajuela Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/). The centre of San Carlos Canton is about 85 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. It is about 71 km from Alajuela, the main town of Alajuela Province. The centre point is at 10.6210° N, 84.4258° 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 San Carlos Canton

OpenStreetMap lists 101 named sights in San Carlos Canton: 65 attractions; 11 volcanos; 10 viewpoints; 7 waterfalls; 2 national parks; 2 museums; 2 hot springs; 1 ruins; 1 monument.

- Museo La Carreta · museum
- Museum and Coffee Bar · museum
- Cascada y pozas · waterfall
- Catarata San Vicente · waterfall
- Catarata de santa clara · waterfall
- El Salto · waterfall
- Jumping Waterfall · waterfall
- Sendero Cascada de las Nubes · waterfall
- Waterfall Río Fortuna · waterfall
- Arenal Volcano National Park · national park
- Juan Castro Blanco National Park · national park
- Entrada al sendero el Ceibo · viewpoint
- Mirador Colada · viewpoint
- Mirador El Silencio · viewpoint
- Mirador Volcán · viewpoint
- Observation deck de Volcán Arenal · viewpoint
- Observation deck de Volcán Arenal · viewpoint
- Observatory Deck · viewpoint
- Reserva Natural Montaña Sagrada · viewpoint
- Rio Fortuna Waterfall viewpoint · viewpoint
- las casonas · viewpoint
- Areal 1968 Volcano trails and MTB paths · attraction
- Arenal Ecologic Park · attraction
- Arenal Natura Ecological Park · attraction
- Asis Refugio de Animales · attraction
- Bio Termales Hot Springs · attraction
- Blue Pass - Lago Arenal (Boat Tours) · attraction
- Bogarin Trail · attraction
- Cavernas de Venado · attraction
- Don Olivo Chocolate Tour · attraction

…and 71 more.

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: San Carlos 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

- La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON) · La Fortuna24 km
- Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · San José (Alajuela)74 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.7 hours, sunrise around 05:15) and shortest in Dec (about 11.5 hours, sunrise around 05:47, sunset around 17:18).

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 San Carlos Canton

District People per km² Area km² Localities Services 

[Quesada](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/quesada/) 45,859 320 143 77 283 

[Aguas Zarcas](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/aguas-zarcas/) 25,843 139 186 42 117 

[Pital](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/pital/) 24,747 65 379 56 90 

[Pocosol](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/pocosol/) 19,421 29 661 81 71 

[La Fortuna](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/la-fortuna/) 19,297 84 230 34 543 

[Florencia](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/florencia/) 18,294 92 200 40 110 

[Cutris](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/cutris/) 15,183 18 849 63 65 

[Venecia](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/venecia/) 11,975 90 133 37 60 

[La Tigra](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/la-tigra/) 7,865 140 56 15 24 

[La Palmera](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/la-palmera/) 7,828 78 100 24 35 

[Monterrey](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/monterrey/) 4,273 19 221 20 41 

[Venado](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/venado/) 2,156 13 169 18 10 

[Buenavista](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/san-carlos/buenavista/) 408 16 26 4 2 

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 San Carlos Canton

Open gazetteers list **430 villages, towns and localities** in San Carlos Canton. The largest with a recorded population: Quesada (27,310), La Fortuna (3,010), Pital (2,046), Florencia (888), Venado (250) and La Tigra (194). Settlements here lie between about 24 m and 1,825 m above sea level (median 129 m).

- Abundancia
- Acapulco
- Aeropuerto
- Agua Azul
- Aguas Zarcas
- Aldea
- Almendros
- Alpes
- Altamira
- Alto Banca Lucia
- Alto Cedros
- Alto Jabillos
- Alto Jiménez
- Alto Las Brisas
- Alto Loaiza
- Alto Solís
- Altos Las Palomas
- Alturas
- Aquilea (San Francisco)
- Arco Iris
- Asentamiento La Perla
- Asentamiento Santa Rosa
- Azucena
- Bajo Los Grillos
- Bajo Mora
- Bajo Tabacón
- Baltazar Quesada
- Banca Lucia
- Banderas
- Barrio Chino
- Bella Vista
- Bellavista
- Betania
- Bijagual
- Boca Arenal
- Boca Los Chiles
- Boca Providencia
- Boca Sahíno
- Boca San Carlos
- Boca San Carlos Este
- Boca Tapada
- Boca de Arenal
- Bonanza
- Brisas
- Buena Vista
- Buenavista
- Buenos Aires
- Cabeceras de Aguas Zarquitas
- Cacao
- Caimitos
- Canaan
- Canacas
- Cantarrana
- Caporal
- Cariblanca
- Carmen
- Carrizal
- Cascada
- Castelmare
- Castro
- Cazuela
- Caño Ciego
- Caño Negro
- Cedral
- Cedral Norte
- Cedral Sur
- Cedros
- Ceiba
- Cementerio
- Cerritos
- Cerro Blanco
- Cerro Cortés
- Chambacú
- Chambacú (Vasconia)
- Chamorro
- Chaparral
- Chaparrón
- Chiles
- Chirivico
- Cocobolo
- Colonia ICE
- Colonia Menonita
- Colonia Penal
- Colón
- Comarca
- Comején
- Concepción
- Concepción (Cerritos)
- Conchito
- Concho
- Coocique
- Coope San Juan
- Coopeisabel
- Coopevega
- Corazón de Jesús
- Corea
- Corte
- Cristo Rey
- Cruce Los Lara
- Crucitas
- Cuatro Esquinas
- Cucaracha
- Cuestillas
- Culebra
- Damas
- Danta
- Delicias
- Disneylandia
- Dora
- Dulce Nombre
- El Bosque
- El Burío
- El Campo
- El Campo (Guayabal)
- El Carmen
- El Caño
- El Ceibo
- El Conchito
- El Concho
- El Descanso
- El Diamante
- El Dorado
- El Edén
- El Encanto
- El Futuro
- El Ingenio
- El Jardín
- El Manzano
- El Mirador
- El Molino
- El Mono
- El Plomo
- El Porvernir
- El Porvernir Abajo
- El Progresista
- El Recreo
- El Refugio
- El Roble
- El Tanque
- Encanto
- Esperanza
- Esterito
- Estero
- Estrella
- Fama
- Faroles
- Ferry
- Florencia
- Florida
- Fátima
- Gamonales
- Garabito
- Gloria
- Guabo
- Guadalupe
- Guaria
- Guayabal
- Guayabo
- Génesis
- Hacienda Coronado
- Hacienda La Ester
- Hacienda Quesada
- Hebrón
- I Griega
- Isla del Cura
- Jabillos
- Jardín
- Jardín Norte
- Jardín Sur
- Jardín de Río San Juan
- Jazmín
- Jicarito
- Jilguero
- Jiménez
- Jocote
- Juanilama
- Kopper
- Koschny
- La Aldea
- La Amistad
- La Araña
- La Cajeta
- La Cascada
- La Catarata
- La Cazuela
- La Ceiba
- La Chanchera
- La Chorrera
- La Colina
- La Colina 2
- La Cruz
- La Esmeralda
- La Esperanza
- La Flor
- La Fortuna
- La Gloria
- La Granja
- La Guaria
- La Isla
- La Laguna
- La Legua
- La Leila
- La Llanada
- La Loma
- La Lucha
- La Luisa
- La Managüita
- La Marina
- La Marinita
- La Montaña
- La Olga
- La Palma
- La Palmera
- La Paz
- La Perla
- La Piñata
- La Plaza
- La Pradera
- La Tigra
- La Torre
- La Unión
- La Vega
- La Vieja
- Las Brisas
- Las Chorreras
- Las Delicias
- Las Huacas
- Las Latas
- Las Lomas
- Las Malvinas
- Las Mercedes
- Las Nieves
- Las Palmas
- Las Parcelas
- Las Parcelas de Cuatro Esquinas
- Las Rosas
- Latas
- Latino
- Laurel
- Laurel Galán
- Legua
- Limoncito
- Linda Vista
- Lindavista
- Llano Verde
- Llanos
- Loma Linda
- Lomas
- Los Alpes
- Los Chiles
- Los Jocotes
- Los Lagos
- Los Llanos
- Los Manzanos
- Los Mojarra
- Los Negritos
- Los Olivos
- Los Pica
- Los Quetzales
- Los Rojas
- Los Ángeles
- Lourdes
- Manantial
- Manolo
- Maquencal
- Maracaná
- Margarita
- Marsella
- Martínez
- Mercedes
- Mesén
- Mina
- Mirador
- Monte Horeb
- Montecristo
- Montelimar
- Monterrey
- Moravia
- Morazán
- Muelle
- Muelle San Carlos
- Muelle del Arenal
- National Park Arenal
- Nazareth
- Negritos
- Nieves
- Nueva Pital
- Nuevo Amanecer
- Nuevo Garabito
- Ojoche
- Ojochito
- Orquídea
- Paja de Agua
- Palma
- Palmar
- Palmas
- Parajeles
- Paraíso
- Parcelas de Castelmare
- Paso Real
- Pastoral
- Pataste Arriba
- Patastillo
- Pegón
- Peje
- Peje Viejo
- Pericos
- Piedra Alegre
- Pilo
- Pital
- Pitalito
- Pitalito Norte
- Pito
- Platanar
- Platanillo
- Plomo
- Pocosol
- Porvenir
- Providencia
- Pueblo Nuevo
- Pueblo Santo
- Pueblo Viejo
- Puente Casa
- Puente de Casa
- Puerto Escondido
- Puerto Seco
- Pénjamo
- Quebrada Azul
- Quebrada Grande
- Quebrada Palo
- Quesada
- Ramírez
- Rancho Quemado
- Reinosa
- Ron Ron
- Ron Ron Abajo
- Ron Ron Arriba
- Ronrón Abajo
- Ronrón Arriba
- Rosalia
- Rosas
- Rubí
- Río Tico
- Sabalito
- Sahíno
- Salas
- San Alejo
- San Andrés
- San Antonio
- San Antonio del Río San Juan
- San Bosco
- San Cayetano
- San Cristóbal
- San Diego
- San Fernando
- San Francisco
- San Gerardo
- San Isidro
- San Joaquín
- San Jorge
- San Josecito
- San José
- San José de la Montaña
- San Juan
- San Juan de Quebrada Palo
- San Luis
- San Luis Abajo
- San Marcos
- San Martín
- San Miguel
- San Pablo
- San Pedro
- San Rafael
- San Rafael Norte
- San Rafael Sur
- San Rafaelillo
- San Ramón
- San Roque
- San Vicente
- San Vito
- Santa Cecilia
- Santa Clara
- Santa Elena
- Santa Esperanza
- Santa Eulalia
- Santa Fe
- Santa Lucía
- Santa Marta
- Santa María
- Santa Rita
- Santa Rosa
- Santa Teresa
- Santa Teresa Sur
- Santo Domingo
- Sapera
- Sapo Triste
- Selva
- Selva Verde
- Sinaí
- Sonafluca

…and 30 more.

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 San Carlos Canton

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

### Water

243 rivers and streams; 3 lakes; 1 dam.

- Caño Boca Tapada
- Caño Buenos Aires
- Caño Chu
- Caño Conchito
- Caño Concho
- Caño Conchuda
- Caño Crucitas
- Caño Cubano
- Caño El Chile
- Caño El Paraíso
- Caño Grande
- Caño Hidalgo
- Caño Jardín
- Caño La Chorrera
- Caño La Mona
- Caño Limones
- Caño Mairena
- Caño Moja Huevos
- Caño Negro
- Caño Pataste
- Caño Pavas
- Caño Recreo
- Caño Rosalía
- Caño Sucio

…and 223 more.

### Coast and islands

7 islands.

- Isla Cabros
- Isla Los Castaños
- Isla Los Pobres
- Isla Santa Rita
- Isla Sábalo
- Isla Tres Amigos
- Isla del Cura

### Hills and mountains

12 hills; 8 mountains.

- Cerro Nubes · 1,731 m
- Cerro El Avión · 1,660 m
- Cerro Delicias · 1,475 m
- Cerro Las Leones · 1,418 m
- Cerro Navarra · 933 m
- Cerro Indio · 822 m
- Alto El Perro · 761 m
- Loma Morera · 615 m
- Loma Juan Murillo · 496 m
- Cerro Níspero · 348 m
- Alto Buenavista · 296 m
- Loma Barrantes · 279 m
- Cerro El Jardín · 277 m
- Cerro La Mona · 263 m
- Cerro Chiles · 200 m
- Cerro Crucitas · 197 m
- Cerro Thiel · 186 m
- Cerro Las Mercedes · 174 m
- Cerro Cavallón · 102 m
- Cerro Blanco · 71 m

### Forests and nature

2 nature reserves.

- Arenal Volcano National Park
- Juan Castro Blanco National Park

### Getting around

6 airfields; 1 airport.

- Dole Valencia
- El Concho Northwest
- Finca San Ramon
- Florencia
- John Hull
- La Fortuna Arenal Airport
- Quebrada Azul

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 San Carlos Canton and the best time to visit

In San Carlos Canton, the warmest month is Apr (average 25 °C) and the coolest is Jan (22 °C). About 1,604 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Oct (283 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 22 34 

Feb 23 22 

Mar 24 26 

Apr 25 60 

May 25 195 

Jun 24 183 

Jul 24 153 

Aug 24 177 

Sep 24 233 

Oct 23 283 

Nov 23 178 

Dec 23 60 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in San Carlos Canton

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

- Hospitals21
- Banks48
- ATMs2
- Petrol pumps30
- Hotels368
- Shopping malls26
- Schools284
- Colleges and universities40
- Cinemas2
- Pharmacies36
- Restaurants516
- Police stations33
- Dental clinics45

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 San Carlos Canton?In Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
- What is the population of San Carlos Canton?203,149 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in San Carlos Canton?About 29 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of San Carlos Canton?About 61 people per km²
- What borders San Carlos Canton?Guatuso Canton, Los Chiles Canton, Río Cuarto Canton, San Ramón Canton, Sarapiquí Canton, Sarchí Canton, Tilarán Canton and Zarcero Canton
- What is there to see in San Carlos Canton?Antiguo Puente sobre el Río Toro, Antiguo redondel Santa Rita, Areal 1968 Volcano trails and MTB paths, Arenal Ecologic Park
- What time zone is San Carlos Canton in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in San Carlos Canton?Colon (CRC)
- What language is spoken in San Carlos Canton?Spanish, English (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in San Carlos Canton?430 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of San Carlos Canton?Settlements lie between 24 m and 1,825 m
- What is the highest point in San Carlos Canton?Cerro Nubes (1,731 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit San Carlos Canton?December to April
- How many hospitals are in San Carlos Canton?21 mapped
- How many banks are in San Carlos Canton?48 mapped
- How many ATMs are in San Carlos Canton?2 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in San Carlos Canton?30 mapped
- What is the P-code of San Carlos Canton?CR210 (OCHA common operational dataset)