# Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica – Population, Cantons & Map

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/

Province · Costa Rica 

# Guanacaste Province

Guanacaste Province is a province of Costa Rica. It had an estimated **399,409 people** in 2021 on 10,192 km² (about 39 per km²). Its main town is Liberia. It is divided into 11 cantons. 1,205 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 4,139 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 399,409people (2021)
- 10,192km²
- 11cantons
- 4,139mapped services

## How many people live in Guanacaste Province?

Guanacaste Province had an estimated **399,409 people** in 2021 — 7.7% of Costa Rica, the least populous of 7 provinces. There are 969 women for every 1,000 men (below the Costa Rica figure of 985). Spread over 10,192 km², that is about **39 people per km²**, the least densely populated of 7 provinces.

23.9% of people are children under 15 and 9.0% are 65 or older; the median age is about 32 years (it is 33 across Costa Rica). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 49 children and older people.

0–4 ****31,576**

5–9 ****31,967**

10–14 ****31,949**

15–19 ****29,376**

20–24 ****29,647**

25–29 ****32,084**

30–34 ****34,185**

35–39 ****33,527**

40–44 ****27,951**

45–49 ****22,884**

50–54 ****20,999**

55–59 ****19,851**

60–64 ****17,455**

65–69 ****13,074**

70–74 ****9,055**

75+ ****13,829**

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 Guanacaste Province?

Guanacaste Province lies in [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 2 other provinces: [Alajuela Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/) and [Puntarenas Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/). By area it is the 2nd largest of 7 provinces in Costa Rica. It covers 19.9% of [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). The centre of Guanacaste Province is about 144 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. The centre point is at 10.4733° N, 85.2766° 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 Guanacaste Province

OpenStreetMap lists 214 named sights in Guanacaste Province: 62 beachs; 52 attractions; 30 viewpoints; 15 waterfalls; 8 museums; 8 galleries; 6 nature reserves; 6 volcanos; 6 national parks; 5 monuments; 3 archaeological sites; 3 zoos; 3 theme parks; 3 memorials; 2 ruins; 1 hot spring; 1 castle or fort.

- Antigua Gobernación · museum
- Casa del General Tomás Guardia Gutiérrez · museum
- Ecomuseo de la Cerámica Chorotega · museum
- Ecomuseo de las Minas de Abangares · museum
- Museo Histórico Casona de Santa Rosa · museum
- Museo Islita · museum
- Museo Regional de Guanacaste · museum
- Museo del Sabanero · museum
- Cañada La Española · archaeological site
- Mico PIntado · archaeological site
- Monumento Arqueológico Nacional El Farallón · archaeological site
- Mayorga Nipote · castle or fort
- Cabro Muco · waterfall
- Catarata Escondida · waterfall
- Catarata La Leona · waterfall
- El Tigre Waterfall · waterfall
- La Cangreja · waterfall
- Oropéndola Waterfall · waterfall
- Riddle Falls · waterfall
- Rio Negro Waterfall 1 · waterfall
- Rio Negro Waterfall 2 · waterfall
- Rio Negro Waterfall 3 · waterfall
- Rio Negro Waterfall 4 · waterfall
- Salitral · waterfall
- Waterfall Quebrada Brasil · waterfall
- cascada · waterfall
- cascada grande · waterfall
- Barra Honda National Park · national park
- Guanacaste National Park · national park
- Las Baulas National Marine Park · national park

…and 184 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: Guanacaste Province

- 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

- Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) · Liberia32 km
- Nosara Airport (NOB) · Nicoya69 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.7 hours, sunrise around 05:19) and shortest in Dec (about 11.5 hours, sunrise around 05:50, sunset around 17:21).

Month Sunrise Sunset Daylight 

Jan 06:02 17:36 11.6 h 

Feb 06:01 17:49 11.8 h 

Mar 05:49 17:52 12.1 h 

Apr 05:30 17:51 12.4 h 

May 05:19 17:55 12.6 h 

Jun 05:19 18:03 12.7 h 

Jul 05:26 18:07 12.7 h 

Aug 05:31 18:00 12.5 h 

Sep 05:30 17:42 12.2 h 

Oct 05:29 17:24 11.9 h 

Nov 05:36 17:15 11.7 h 

Dec 05:50 17:21 11.5 h 

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.

## Cantons of Guanacaste Province

Canton People per km² Area km² Districts Services 

[Liberia Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/liberia/) 78,312 54 1,442 5 577 

[Santa Cruz Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/santa-cruz/) 70,125 53 1,320 9 1,222 

[Nicoya Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nicoya/) 57,125 43 1,337 7 761 

[Carrillo Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/carrillo/) 46,855 78 599 4 492 

[Cañas Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/canas/) 33,042 48 687 5 163 

[La Cruz Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/la-cruz/) 27,581 20 1,385 4 166 

[Bagaces Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/bagaces/) 24,494 19 1,278 4 151 

[Tilarán Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/tilaran/) 21,863 33 669 8 259 

[Abangares Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/abangares/) 20,154 31 646 4 137 

[Nandayure Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nandayure/) 11,815 21 568 6 121 

[Hojancha Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/hojancha/) 8,043 31 263 5 90 

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).

## Largest towns in Guanacaste Province

- Liberia45,380
- Cañas20,306
- Nicoya15,313
- Santa Cruz12,281
- Tilarán7,301
- Tamarindo6,375
- Juntas4,737
- La Cruz4,319
- Bagaces4,108
- Sardinal3,267
- Belén2,715
- Hojancha1,823
- La Fortuna1,774
- Nandayure1,649
- Sámara1,071

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

Populations as recorded in GeoNames, which may be older than the estimates above.

## Landscape and landmarks of Guanacaste Province

Named natural and historic features inside Guanacaste Province, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

766 rivers and streams; 8 lakes; 5 waterfalls; 1 reservoir or tank.

- Brazo Río Cañas
- Embalse de Arenal
- Estero Chiflón
- Estero Punchal
- Estero Roblar
- Laguna Ballena
- Laguna Bocana
- Laguna Chiquita
- Laguna Grande
- Laguna Jobitos
- Laguna Roblar
- Laguna Santa Elena
- Laguna de Arenal
- Punta Islita
- Quebrada Agria
- Quebrada Agua Agria
- Quebrada Agua Apinolada
- Quebrada Agua Buena
- Quebrada Agua Caliente
- Quebrada Agua Caliente
- Quebrada Agua Caliente
- Quebrada Agua Fresca
- Quebrada Agua Fresca
- Quebrada Agua Fría

…and 756 more.

### Coast and islands

102 beaches; 64 headlands; 46 lagoons; 7 islands; 1 bay.

- Bahía de San Carlos
- Cacique Point
- Cóncavas Agujas
- Hermosa Beach
- Isla Berrugate
- Isla Formosa
- Isla Pájaros
- Isla San Pablo
- Isla Saíno
- Isla Verde
- Isla Verde
- Laguna Altamira
- Laguna Bejuco
- Laguna Brisas
- Laguna Cacao
- Laguna Cales
- Laguna Castillo
- Laguna Cornizuelo
- Laguna Corral de Piedra
- Laguna Cruce
- Laguna División
- Laguna El Limbo
- Laguna El Roble
- Laguna El Toro

…and 196 more.

### Hills and mountains

421 hills; 144 mountains; 17 mountain passes; 4 valleys; 1 peak.

- Cerro Chomogo · 1,766 m
- Cerro Cacao · 1,616 m
- Cerro La Giganta · 1,457 m
- Lomas Pailas · 1,353 m
- Cerro Brisas · 1,303 m
- Cerro Frío · 1,208 m
- Cerro Orosilito · 1,194 m
- Cerro Cabro Muco · 1,158 m
- Cerros Gota de Agua · 1,078 m
- Bajo Los Chiqueros · 1,062 m
- Cerro Góngora · 1,058 m
- Cerro Nubes · 997 m
- Cerro Vista al Mar · 947 m
- Cerro Mata de Caña · 944 m
- Cerro San José · 915 m
- Cerro Negro · 889 m
- Cerro Venados · 855 m
- Cerro Marsellesa · 849 m
- Cerro Silencio · 831 m
- Cerro Madrigal · 814 m
- Cerro Brujo · 794 m
- Cerro Los Caballos · 781 m
- Cerro Santa Elena · 774 m
- Cerro Nubes · 756 m

…and 563 more.

### Forests and nature

10 nature reserves; 6 parks; 1 forest; 1 wildlife reserve.

- Barra Honda National Park
- Bosque Las Pavas
- Diria National Park
- Guanacaste National Park
- Junquillal Bay Wildlife Refuge
- Marino Las Baulas National Park
- Miravalles-Santa Rosa Biological Corridor
- Palo Verde National Park
- Parque Héctor Zúñiga Rovira
- Parque Mario Cañas Ruiz
- Parque Nacional Palo Verde
- Parque Nacional Rincón de La Vieja
- Parque Nacional Santa Rosa
- Parque Recaredo Briceño
- Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Rafael Lucas Rodríguez
- Reserva Biologica Lomas de Barbudal
- Rincón de la Vieja National Park
- Santa Rosa National Park

### Getting around

32 airfields; 6 airports; 3 ports; 2 bridges.

- Cabo Velas
- Catsa
- Ciruelas
- Coyolar
- Cuatro Esquinas
- Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport
- El Cerrito
- El Porvenir
- Filadelfia
- Flying Crocodile
- Galicia
- Granos de Oro
- Hacienda La Pacifica
- Hacienda Rancho Monterreal
- Hacienda Rosa Maria
- Harry Both
- Hatillo
- La Cueva
- La Flor
- La Guinea
- La Javilla
- La Mula
- La Roca
- La Zampona

…and 19 more.

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 Guanacaste Province and the best time to visit

In Guanacaste Province, the warmest month is Apr (average 27 °C) and the coolest is Dec (24 °C). About 1,443 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Oct (289 mm) and the driest Feb (9 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 24 13 

Feb 25 9 

Mar 26 10 

Apr 27 40 

May 27 187 

Jun 25 177 

Jul 25 131 

Aug 25 175 

Sep 25 252 

Oct 24 289 

Nov 24 132 

Dec 24 28 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Guanacaste Province

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

- Hospitals50
- Banks116
- ATMs12
- Petrol pumps69
- Hotels1,262
- Shopping malls67
- Schools537
- Colleges and universities68
- Cinemas4
- Pharmacies89
- Restaurants1,678
- Police stations99
- Dental clinics88

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 Guanacaste Province?In Costa Rica
- What is the population of Guanacaste Province?399,409 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in Guanacaste Province?About 32 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of Guanacaste Province?About 39 people per km²
- What borders Guanacaste Province?Alajuela Province and Puntarenas Province
- What is there to see in Guanacaste Province?100% Aventura Hanging Bridges, 4x4 Tours CR, Al Sabanero, Amberes
- What time zone is Guanacaste Province in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in Guanacaste Province?Colon (CRC)
- What language is spoken in Guanacaste Province?Spanish, English (main languages nationally)
- What is the largest town in Guanacaste Province?Liberia
- How many reservoirs and tanks are in Guanacaste Province?1 named in GeoNames
- What is the highest point in Guanacaste Province?Cerro Chomogo (1,766 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Guanacaste Province?December to April
- How many hospitals are in Guanacaste Province?50 mapped
- How many banks are in Guanacaste Province?116 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Guanacaste Province?12 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Guanacaste Province?69 mapped
- What is the P-code of Guanacaste Province?CR5 (OCHA common operational dataset)