# Nicoya Canton, Guanacaste Province – Population & Districts

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

Canton · Guanacaste Province 

# Nicoya Canton

Nicoya Canton is a canton of Costa Rica in Guanacaste Province. It had an estimated **57,125 people** in 2021 on 1,337 km² (about 43 per km²). It is divided into 7 districts. 265 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 761 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 57,125people (2021)
- 1,337km²
- 7districts
- 761mapped services

## How many people live in Nicoya Canton?

Nicoya Canton had an estimated **57,125 people** in 2021 — 14.3% of Guanacaste Province, 30th of 83 cantons. There are 966 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Guanacaste Province figure of 969). Spread over 1,337 km², that is about **43 people per km²**, 65th of 83 cantons.

20.3% of people are children under 15 and 12.1% are 65 or older; the median age is about 35 years (it is 32 across Guanacaste Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 48 children and older people.

0–4 ****3,809**

5–9 ****3,988**

10–14 ****3,814**

15–19 ****3,667**

20–24 ****3,905**

25–29 ****4,290**

30–34 ****4,779**

35–39 ****4,829**

40–44 ****4,236**

45–49 ****3,557**

50–54 ****3,259**

55–59 ****3,188**

60–64 ****2,915**

65–69 ****2,373**

70–74 ****1,718**

75+ ****2,798**

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 Nicoya Canton?

Nicoya Canton lies in [Guanacaste Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/), [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 5 other cantons: [Bagaces Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/bagaces/), [Cañas Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/canas/), [Hojancha Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/hojancha/), [Nandayure Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nandayure/) and [Santa Cruz Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/santa-cruz/). By area it is the 14th largest of 84 cantons in Costa Rica. It covers 13.1% of [Guanacaste Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/). The centre of Nicoya Canton is about 147 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. It is about 59 km from Liberia, the main town of Guanacaste Province. The centre point is at 10.1035° N, 85.4135° 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 Nicoya Canton

OpenStreetMap lists 15 named sights in Nicoya Canton: 4 viewpoints; 3 attractions; 2 nature reserves; 1 memorial; 1 national park; 1 museum; 1 beach; 1 waterfall; 1 gallery.

- Ecomuseo de la Cerámica Chorotega · museum
- Riddle Falls · waterfall
- Barra Honda National Park · national park
- Refugio de Vida Silvestre Ostional · nature reserve
- Zona Protectora Cerro de la Cruz · nature reserve
- Beach Izquierda · beach
- Belén Waterfall · viewpoint
- Mirador Nacaome · viewpoint
- Nature Reserve Entrance · viewpoint
- Puente de Río Tempisque (Puente La Amistad) · viewpoint
- Kayak Tours · attraction
- Letras Nosara · attraction
- Sibu Wildlife Sanctuary · attraction
- Monumento de La Anexión del Partido de Nicoya · memorial
- Nosara Art Gallery · gallery

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: Nicoya 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

- Nosara Airport (NOB) · Nicoya30 km
- Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) · Liberia56 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.7 hours, sunrise around 05:20) and shortest in Dec (about 11.5 hours, sunrise around 05:50, sunset around 17:22).

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 Nicoya Canton

District People per km² Area km² Localities Services 

[Nicoya](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nicoya/nicoya/) 26,919 87 311 93 197 

[San Antonio](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nicoya/san-antonio/) 7,123 21 339 40 23 

[Nosara](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nicoya/nosara/) 7,044 53 134 44 222 

[Mansión](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nicoya/mansion/) 5,774 27 212 35 36 

[Sámara](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nicoya/samara/) 4,627 42 109 29 240 

[Belén de Nosarita](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nicoya/belen-de-nosarita/) 3,051 25 123 25 26 

[Quebrada Honda](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nicoya/quebrada-honda/) 2,587 24 109 18 17 

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 Nicoya Canton

Open gazetteers list **265 villages, towns and localities** in Nicoya Canton. The largest with a recorded population: Nicoya (15,313) and Sámara (1,071). Settlements here lie between about 9 m and 765 m above sea level (median 112 m).

- Acoyapa
- Arcos
- Arenales
- Bajo Cambutes
- Balsal
- Balsar
- Barco Quebrado
- Barra Honda
- Barrio Aeropuerto
- Barrio El Cerro
- Barrio Guadalupe
- Barrio Invu
- Barrio Nayuribe
- Belén
- Bijagua
- Biscoyol
- Boca Letras
- Bocas de Nosara
- Bolsa
- Boquete
- Bosques de Don José
- Botija
- Buenavista
- Buenos Aires
- Caballito
- Cabeceras
- Cabeceras de Garza
- Caimital
- Caimitalito
- Caimito
- Calderón Fournier
- Camarones
- Cambutes
- Camino Al Futuro
- Cangrejal
- Cantarrana
- Canto de los Gavilanes
- Carmen
- Casitas
- Cañal
- Cerro Negro
- Chinampas
- Chira
- Chorotega
- Chácara
- Cola de Gallo
- Concepción
- Conchal
- Copal
- Corallillo
- Corral de Piedra
- Corralillo
- Coyolar
- Cuajiniquil
- Cuba
- Cuesta Grande
- Curime
- Curiol
- Delicias
- Dulce Nombre
- El Brujo
- El Carmen
- El Cañal
- El Jobo
- El Llano
- El Piave
- El Portal
- El Portón
- El Rosario
- El Salitral
- El Silencio
- El Tamarindo
- Emanuel Ajoy
- Esperanza
- Esperanza Sur
- Esquipulas
- Esterones
- Estrella
- Ferco
- Finca Florida
- Flor
- Flores
- Florida
- Gamalotal
- Garcimuñoz
- Garza
- Guaitil
- Guanacaste
- Guastomatal
- Guayabal
- Guayabo
- Guineas
- Guiones Sur
- Hollywood
- Hondores
- IMAS de San Martín
- Iguanita
- Jobo
- Juan Díaz
- Juntas
- La Alianza
- La Bolsa
- La Cananga
- La Chiva
- La Cuesta
- La Esperanza
- La Fortuna
- La Garita
- La Granja
- La Palma
- La Rueda
- La Vigía
- Lajas
- Lapas
- Las Delicias
- Las Guineas
- Las Juntas
- Las Vegas de Casitas
- Letras
- León Cortés Castro
- Ligia
- Limonal
- Loma Bonita
- Los Almendros
- Los Arcos
- Los Cerros
- Los Malinches
- Los Molinas
- Los Médicos
- Los Suárez
- Los Ángeles
- Mala Noche
- Mango
- Mansión
- Mansión Vieja
- Maquenco
- Mar Azul Estates
- Matabuey
- Matamba
- Matambuguito
- Matapalo I
- Matapalo II
- Matina
- Mercedes
- Millal
- Minas
- Miramar
- Montañita
- Monte Alto
- Monte Galán
- Moracia
- México
- Nacaome
- Nambí
- Naranjal
- Naranjalito
- Nicoya
- Nosara
- Nosarita
- Obispo
- Ojo de Agua
- Oriente
- Palmar
- Palos Negros
- Panamá
- Paraíso
- Paraíso de Las Delicias
- Paso Nosara
- Pedernal
- Perico
- Piave
- Picudas
- Piedras Blancas
- Pilas
- Pilas Blancas
- Platanillo
- Playa Sámara
- Pochote
- Polvazales
- Ponedero
- Portal de Garza
- Potrero
- Poza Verde
- Pozas
- Pozo de Agua
- Primavera
- Proyecto Americano
- Pueblo Nuevo
- Pueblo Real
- Pueblo Viejo
- Puerto Carazo
- Puerto Humo
- Puerto Jesús
- Puerto Moreno
- Quebrada Bonita
- Quebrada Honda
- Quirimancito
- Quirimán
- Rincón
- Roblar
- Rosario
- Río Grande
- Río Montaña
- Río Seco
- Sabana Grande
- Samaria
- San Ambrosio
- San Antonio
- San Carlos
- San Fernando
- San Francisco
- San Isidro
- San Joaquín
- San Josecito
- San Josecito de Cuesta Grande
- San Juan
- San Lázaro
- San Martín
- San Pablo
- San Pedro
- San Ramón
- San Vicente
- Santa Ana
- Santa Lucía
- Santa Marta
- Santa Teresa
- Santa Teresita
- Santo Domingo
- Sección A
- Sección B
- Sección C
- Sección D
- Sección E
- Sección EE
- Sección F
- Sección G
- Sección H
- Sección I
- Sección J
- Sección K
- Sección L
- Sección M
- Sección N
- Sección R
- Sonzapotal
- Sonzapote
- Sámara
- Talolinga
- Taranta
- Terciopelo
- Tierra Blanca
- Torito
- Tortuguero
- Tres Esquinas
- Tres Quebradas
- Uvita
- Vigía
- Virginia
- Zancudo
- Zapote
- Zapotillo
- Zaragoza
- Zompopa
- Ángeles
- Ángeles de Garza

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 Nicoya Canton

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

### Water

157 rivers and streams; 1 lake.

- Estero Punchal
- Laguna Roblar
- Quebrada Agua Buena
- Quebrada Agua Fresca
- Quebrada Aguas Frias
- Quebrada Anselmo
- Quebrada Arguedas
- Quebrada Barco Quebrado
- Quebrada Barrigona
- Quebrada Barro Negro
- Quebrada Biscoyol
- Quebrada Biscoyol
- Quebrada Buenavista
- Quebrada Cacao
- Quebrada Caleta
- Quebrada Camaronal
- Quebrada Camarones
- Quebrada Canelo
- Quebrada Cantarrana
- Quebrada Carreta
- Quebrada Catalina
- Quebrada Caña Blanca
- Quebrada Cañal
- Quebrada Cañas Gordas

…and 134 more.

### Coast and islands

9 beaches; 8 headlands; 5 lagoons; 3 islands.

- Isla Pájaros
- Isla Saíno
- Isla Verde
- Laguna Corral de Piedra
- Laguna División
- Laguna Lava Maíz
- Laguna Mata Redonda
- Laguna Sonzapote
- Playa Barco Quebrado
- Playa Barrigona
- Playa Bote
- Playa Garza
- Playa Guiones
- Playa Nosara
- Playa Pavones
- Playa Pelada
- Playas Sámara
- Punta Escondido
- Punta Moreno
- Punta Nosara
- Punta Pavones
- Punta Pelada
- Punta Sámara
- Punta Thiel

…and 1 more.

### Hills and mountains

76 hills; 35 mountains; 2 mountain passes.

- Cerro Negro · 889 m
- Cerro de la Campana · 748 m
- Cerro Azul · 692 m
- Cerro Terrón · 662 m
- Cerro Platanillo · 657 m
- Cerro Copetón · 596 m
- Cerro Atravesado · 590 m
- Cerro Danta · 569 m
- Cerro Balsal · 558 m
- Cerro Planes · 528 m
- Cerro Canelo · 517 m
- Cerro Zompopa · 514 m
- Cerro Chinampas · 501 m
- Cerro Azul · 498 m
- Cerro Cardones · 495 m
- Cerro Pirital · 482 m
- Cerro Caballo · 481 m
- Cerro Maquenco · 478 m
- Cerro Ojochillal · 470 m
- Cerro Caballito · 468 m
- Cerro Arguedas · 465 m
- Cerro Corralillo · 462 m
- Cerro Mora · 462 m
- Cerro Brujo · 459 m

…and 89 more.

### Forests and nature

1 nature reserve; 1 park.

- Barra Honda National Park
- Parque Recaredo Briceño

### Getting around

2 airports; 2 airfields; 2 ports; 1 bridge.

- Flying Crocodile
- Montealto
- Nicoya Airport
- Nosara Airport
- Puente Guillermina
- Puerto Copal
- Puerto Moreno

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 Nicoya Canton and the best time to visit

In Nicoya Canton, the warmest month is Apr (average 29 °C) and the coolest is Nov (26 °C). About 1,726 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Oct (337 mm) and the driest Feb (4 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **December to January**.

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

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 28 7 

Feb 28 4 

Mar 29 5 

Apr 29 38 

May 28 220 

Jun 27 227 

Jul 27 182 

Aug 27 227 

Sep 27 303 

Oct 26 337 

Nov 26 151 

Dec 27 24 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Nicoya Canton

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

- Hospitals9
- Banks16
- ATMs3
- Petrol pumps13
- Hotels246
- Shopping malls12
- Schools108
- Colleges and universities17
- Pharmacies14
- Restaurants292
- Police stations14
- Dental clinics17

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 Nicoya Canton?In Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
- What is the population of Nicoya Canton?57,125 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in Nicoya Canton?About 35 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of Nicoya Canton?About 43 people per km²
- What borders Nicoya Canton?Bagaces Canton, Cañas Canton, Hojancha Canton, Nandayure Canton and Santa Cruz Canton
- What is there to see in Nicoya Canton?Barra Honda National Park, Beach Izquierda, Belén Waterfall, Ecomuseo de la Cerámica Chorotega
- What time zone is Nicoya Canton in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in Nicoya Canton?Colon (CRC)
- What language is spoken in Nicoya Canton?Spanish, English (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Nicoya Canton?265 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Nicoya Canton?Settlements lie between 9 m and 765 m
- What is the highest point in Nicoya Canton?Cerro Negro (889 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Nicoya Canton?December to January
- How many hospitals are in Nicoya Canton?9 mapped
- How many banks are in Nicoya Canton?16 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Nicoya Canton?3 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Nicoya Canton?13 mapped
- What is the P-code of Nicoya Canton?CR502 (OCHA common operational dataset)