# Bagaces Canton, Guanacaste Province – Population & Districts

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

Canton · Guanacaste Province 

# Bagaces Canton

Bagaces Canton is a canton of Costa Rica in Guanacaste Province. It had an estimated **24,494 people** in 2021 on 1,278 km² (about 19 per km²). It is divided into 4 districts. 96 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 151 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 24,494people (2021)
- 1,278km²
- 4districts
- 151mapped services

## How many people live in Bagaces Canton?

Bagaces Canton had an estimated **24,494 people** in 2021 — 6.1% of Guanacaste Province, 62nd of 83 cantons. There are 963 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Guanacaste Province figure of 969). Spread over 1,278 km², that is about **19 people per km²**, 79th of 83 cantons.

24.9% of people are children under 15 and 8.2% are 65 or older; the median age is about 30 years (it is 32 across Guanacaste Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 50 children and older people.

0–4 ****2,016**

5–9 ****2,009**

10–14 ****2,086**

15–19 ****1,997**

20–24 ****1,983**

25–29 ****2,047**

30–34 ****2,014**

35–39 ****1,948**

40–44 ****1,629**

45–49 ****1,358**

50–54 ****1,255**

55–59 ****1,221**

60–64 ****928**

65–69 ****720**

70–74 ****501**

75+ ****782**

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 Bagaces Canton?

Bagaces Canton lies in [Guanacaste Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/), [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 6 other cantons: [Carrillo Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/carrillo/), [Cañas Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/canas/), [Liberia Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/liberia/), [Nicoya Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nicoya/), [Santa Cruz Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/santa-cruz/) and [Upala Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/upala/). By area it is the 17th largest of 84 cantons in Costa Rica. It covers 12.5% of [Guanacaste Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/). The centre of Bagaces Canton is about 146 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. It is about 22 km from Liberia, the main town of Guanacaste Province. The centre point is at 10.5116° N, 85.2845° 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 Bagaces Canton

OpenStreetMap lists 17 named sights in Bagaces Canton: 7 attractions; 3 viewpoints; 2 nature reserves; 2 waterfalls; 1 archaeological site; 1 museum; 1 volcano.

- Casa del General Tomás Guardia Gutiérrez · museum
- Mico PIntado · archaeological site
- Cabro Muco · waterfall
- cascada grande · waterfall
- Palo Verde National Park · nature reserve
- Reserva Biológica Lomas de Barbudal · nature reserve
- La Roca · viewpoint
- Mirador Jaguar · viewpoint
- Mirador Jaguar Plataforma · viewpoint
- CENTRO RECREATIVO & ECOLOGICO EL GUAYACAN · attraction
- Catarata Llanos de Cortés · attraction
- Catarata Llanos de Cortés y Poza Escondida · attraction
- Organización para Estudios Tropicales OET · attraction
- TERMALES MIRAVALLES · attraction
- Thermomanía · attraction
- Volcanic Thermal Mud Pools · attraction
- Volcán Miravalles · volcano

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: Bagaces 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

- Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) · Liberia30 km
- Nosara Airport (NOB) · Nicoya72 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).

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 Bagaces Canton

District People per km² Area km² Localities Services 

[Bagaces](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/bagaces/bagaces/) 16,162 18 889 52 74 

[Mogote](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/bagaces/mogote/) 4,052 22 182 23 30 

[La Fortuna](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/bagaces/la-fortuna/) 3,093 19 163 18 40 

[Río Naranjo](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/bagaces/rio-naranjo/) 1,187 27 44 4 7 

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 Bagaces Canton

Open gazetteers list **96 villages, towns and localities** in Bagaces Canton. The largest with a recorded population: Bagaces (4,108) and La Fortuna (1,774). Settlements here lie between about 6 m and 748 m above sea level (median 307 m).

- 5 de Junio
- Aguacaliente
- Alto del Guiz
- Arbolito
- Bagaces
- Bagatzi
- Barrio 2000
- Barrio Bella Vista
- Barro de Olla
- Bebedero Norte
- Casa Vieja
- Casavieja
- Cofradía
- Colonia La Fortuna
- Corazón de Jesús
- Cuipilapa
- El Arbolito
- El Carmen
- El Chile
- El Colegio
- El Congo
- El Manglar
- El Roble
- El Rodeo
- El Salto
- Falconia
- Gloria Bejarano
- Guayabo
- Hacienda Miravalles
- Hacienda Mojica
- Hacienda Tamarindo
- Horcones
- Huacalito
- Ilusión de la Esperanza
- La Arena
- La Ceiba
- La Cofradía
- La Ese
- La Fortuna
- La Gota
- La Horquetilla
- La Lima
- La Palmita
- La Ponderosa
- La Sapera
- La Unión
- La Zanja del Barro
- Las Huaquitas
- Las Piedras
- Lima
- Limonal
- Llanos de Cortés
- Los Horcones
- Los Sapos
- Los Ángeles
- Manglar
- Martillete
- Miravalles
- Montano
- Montenegro
- Mozotal
- Naranjito
- Oses
- Palo Verde
- Paso Real
- Pedro Nolazco
- Piedras
- Pijije
- Playitas
- Plazuela
- Poza Linda
- Pozo Azul
- Pueblo Nuevo
- Rincón de la Cruz
- Río Blanco
- Río Chiquito
- Río Naranjo
- Sagrada Familia
- Salitral
- Salto
- San Antonio
- San Bernardo
- San Gerardo
- San Isidro de Limonal
- San Jorge
- San Martín
- San Pedro
- San Ramón
- Santa Cecilia
- Santa Fe
- Santa Rosa
- Sinaí
- Tamarindo
- Torno
- Valle Dorado
- Villa Nueva

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 Bagaces Canton

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

### Water

68 rivers and streams; 1 lake.

- Laguna Bocana
- Quebrada Agua Apinolada
- Quebrada Agua Caliente
- Quebrada Agua Gata
- Quebrada Arena
- Quebrada Cabrita
- Quebrada Cabuyo
- Quebrada Chile
- Quebrada Chorro
- Quebrada Cofradía
- Quebrada Cuesta Blanca
- Quebrada Fortuna
- Quebrada Gloria
- Quebrada Herrumbre
- Quebrada Hormiguero
- Quebrada Hornillas
- Quebrada La Cabra
- Quebrada La Danta
- Quebrada La Giganta
- Quebrada La Mula
- Quebrada La Palma
- Quebrada La Quesera
- Quebrada Macuá
- Quebrada Nísperos

…and 45 more.

### Coast and islands

25 lagoons; 1 island.

- Isla San Pablo
- Laguna Altamira
- Laguna Brisas
- Laguna Cacao
- Laguna Cornizuelo
- Laguna Cruce
- Laguna El Roble
- Laguna El Toro
- Laguna Eneas
- Laguna Enmedio
- Laguna Espabelosa
- Laguna Estero Blanco
- Laguna Guineo
- Laguna Juncos
- Laguna Lagarta
- Laguna Los Aromos
- Laguna Los Chanchos
- Laguna Martillete
- Laguna Nicaragua
- Laguna Patitos
- Laguna Peje
- Laguna Piñuela
- Laguna Pochote
- Laguna Sainalosa

…and 2 more.

### Hills and mountains

32 hills; 12 mountains; 4 valleys; 3 mountain passes.

- Cerro La Giganta · 1,457 m
- Cerro Cabro Muco · 1,158 m
- Cerros Gota de Agua · 1,078 m
- Bajo Los Chiqueros · 1,062 m
- Cerro Los Caballos · 781 m
- Cerro Santa Rosa · 752 m
- Cerro Mogote · 700 m
- Cerro Cuipilapa · 668 m
- Cerro Grande · 617 m
- Cerro La Palma · 554 m
- Cerro El Peje · 543 m
- Bajo Macuá · 434 m
- Cerro del Torno · 383 m
- Cerro Piedra · 306 m
- Cerro La Vuelta del Torno · 298 m
- Alto Vaca · 240 m
- Alto Buena Vista · 238 m
- Bajo San Bernardo · 226 m
- Cerro Lágrimas · 207 m
- Cerro Alto Viejo · 199 m
- Loma Jicote · 188 m
- Cerro Catalina · 175 m
- Loma Alta · 167 m
- Cerro Divisadero · 156 m

…and 27 more.

### Forests and nature

2 nature reserves; 1 wildlife reserve; 1 park.

- Palo Verde National Park
- Parque Nacional Palo Verde
- Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Rafael Lucas Rodríguez
- Reserva Biologica Lomas de Barbudal

### Getting around

5 airfields.

- Ciruelas
- La Mula
- Las Piedras
- Mojica
- Mojica Northeast

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 Bagaces Canton and the best time to visit

In Bagaces Canton, 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 Bagaces Canton

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

- Hospitals1
- Banks6
- Petrol pumps3
- Hotels51
- Shopping malls3
- Schools34
- Colleges and universities2
- Pharmacies3
- Restaurants44
- Police stations4

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 Bagaces Canton?In Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
- What is the population of Bagaces Canton?24,494 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in Bagaces Canton?About 30 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of Bagaces Canton?About 19 people per km²
- What borders Bagaces Canton?Carrillo Canton, Cañas Canton, Liberia Canton, Nicoya Canton, Santa Cruz Canton and Upala Canton
- What is there to see in Bagaces Canton?CENTRO RECREATIVO & ECOLOGICO EL GUAYACAN, Cabro Muco, Casa del General Tomás Guardia Gutiérrez, Catarata Llanos de Cortés
- What time zone is Bagaces Canton in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in Bagaces Canton?Colon (CRC)
- What language is spoken in Bagaces Canton?Spanish, English (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Bagaces Canton?96 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Bagaces Canton?Settlements lie between 6 m and 748 m
- What is the highest point in Bagaces Canton?Cerro La Giganta (1,457 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Bagaces Canton?December to April
- How many hospitals are in Bagaces Canton?1 mapped
- How many banks are in Bagaces Canton?6 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Bagaces Canton?3 mapped
- What is the P-code of Bagaces Canton?CR504 (OCHA common operational dataset)