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

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

Province · Costa Rica 

# Puntarenas Province

Puntarenas Province is a province of Costa Rica. It had an estimated **504,716 people** in 2021 on 11,298 km² (about 45 per km²). Its main town is Puntarenas. It is divided into 13 cantons. 1,480 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 5,288 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 504,716people (2021)
- 11,298km²
- 13cantons
- 5,288mapped services

## How many people live in Puntarenas Province?

Puntarenas Province had an estimated **504,716 people** in 2021 — 9.8% of Costa Rica, 5th of 7 provinces. There are 961 women for every 1,000 men (below the Costa Rica figure of 985). Spread over 11,298 km², that is about **45 people per km²**, 6th of 7 provinces.

24.2% of people are children under 15 and 8.5% are 65 or older; the median age is about 31 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 ****40,469**

5–9 ****40,700**

10–14 ****41,036**

15–19 ****40,563**

20–24 ****40,624**

25–29 ****42,503**

30–34 ****41,209**

35–39 ****39,014**

40–44 ****34,846**

45–49 ****29,451**

50–54 ****26,542**

55–59 ****24,452**

60–64 ****20,586**

65–69 ****16,105**

70–74 ****10,909**

75+ ****15,707**

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 Puntarenas Province?

Puntarenas Province lies in [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 4 other provinces: [Alajuela Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/), [Guanacaste Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/), [Limón Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/limon/) and [San José Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/). By area it is the largest of 7 provinces in Costa Rica. It covers 22.1% of [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). The centre of Puntarenas Province is about 121 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. The centre point is at 9.1889° N, 83.2747° 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 Puntarenas Province

OpenStreetMap lists 280 named sights in Puntarenas Province: 106 beachs; 70 attractions; 35 viewpoints; 23 waterfalls; 8 galleries; 6 museums; 6 national parks; 6 zoos; 6 ruins; 6 nature reserves; 3 memorials; 1 monument; 1 archaeological site; 1 theme park; 1 volcano; 1 hot spring.

- Casa de la Cultura · museum
- Cárcel San Lucas · museum
- Museo Comunitario Indígena de Boruca · museum
- Museo Comunitario Rey Curré · museum
- Museo Histórico de la Ciudad de Puntarenas · museum
- Museo de Las Esferas · museum
- Finca 6 Archeological Site · archaeological site
- 3 water holes · waterfall
- Bat Waterfall · waterfall
- Bonanza Waterfall Nr. 1 · waterfall
- Bonanza Waterfall Nr. 2 · waterfall
- Cacique · waterfall
- Cascada Bejuco · waterfall
- Cascada King Luis · waterfall
- Cascada Pittier · waterfall
- Cascada Verde · waterfall
- Catarata El Sitio · waterfall
- Catarata Las Gemelas · waterfall
- Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva · waterfall
- Catarata Río Genio · waterfall
- Catarata de Olán · waterfall
- Catarata el Secreto · waterfall
- Cataratas numero 7 · waterfall
- El Pavon · waterfall
- El Salto Waterfall · waterfall
- Km 31's Waterfalls · waterfall
- Los Chorros · waterfall
- Uvita Waterfall · waterfall
- Water hole · waterfall
- Waterfal · waterfall

…and 250 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: Puntarenas 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

- Golfito Airport (GLF) · Golfito60 km
- Puerto Jimenez Airport (PJM) · Puerto Jimenez73 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.7 hours, sunrise around 05:13) and shortest in Dec (about 11.6 hours, sunrise around 05:40, sunset around 17:15).

Month Sunrise Sunset Daylight 

Jan 05:52 17:30 11.6 h 

Feb 05:52 17:42 11.8 h 

Mar 05:40 17:44 12.1 h 

Apr 05:23 17:42 12.3 h 

May 05:13 17:45 12.5 h 

Jun 05:13 17:52 12.7 h 

Jul 05:20 17:57 12.6 h 

Aug 05:25 17:50 12.4 h 

Sep 05:22 17:33 12.2 h 

Oct 05:20 17:16 11.9 h 

Nov 05:26 17:09 11.7 h 

Dec 05:40 17:15 11.6 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 Puntarenas Province

Canton People per km² Area km² Districts Services 

[Puntarenas Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/puntarenas/) 142,010 80 1,786 15 1,298 

[Buenos Aires Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/buenos-aires/) 54,111 23 2,383 9 260 

[Corredores Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/corredores/) 52,952 85 624 4 257 

[Coto Brus Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/coto-brus/) 44,293 47 944 6 148 

[Esparza Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/esparza/) 38,714 178 217 6 193 

[Quepos Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/quepos/) 33,548 60 558 3 610 

[Golfito Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/golfito/) 33,528 32 1,032 3 274 

[Osa Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/osa/) 31,270 16 1,933 6 782 

[Garabito Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/garabito/) 26,721 85 316 3 674 

[Parrita Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/parrita/) 20,594 43 483 1 189 

[Montes de Oro Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/montes-de-oro/) 14,456 58 248 3 93 

[Puerto Jiménez Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/puerto-jimenez/) 12,519 17 721 1 179 

[Monteverde Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/monteverde/) 4,900 92 53 1 331 

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 Puntarenas Province

- Puntarenas35,650
- Chacarita26,354
- Esparza15,575
- Buenos Aires11,680
- Quepos7,810
- Corredor7,084
- Golfito6,777
- Miramar6,540
- Jacó4,085
- San Vito3,981
- Puerto Cortés3,850
- Parrita3,734
- Uvita3,000
- Paquera1,510
- Macacona840

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 Puntarenas Province

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

### Water

1,275 rivers and streams; 5 lakes; 5 waterfalls.

- Boca Vieja Creek
- Brazo Río La Vaca
- Cascada Iglesias
- Catarata Las Caletas
- Catarata Veta de Petróleo
- Espíritu Santo
- Estero Azul
- Estero Bolsón
- Estero Olla
- Estero Palmar
- Estero Portalón
- Laguna Bonifacio
- Laguna Carse
- Laguna La Danta
- Laguna Los Mangos
- Laguna Sierpe
- Quebrada Abrojo
- Quebrada Abrojo
- Quebrada Abuela
- Quebrada Abuelo
- Quebrada Achiote
- Quebrada Achiote
- Quebrada Administración
- Quebrada Agua Buena

…and 1,261 more.

### Coast and islands

140 beaches; 136 headlands; 41 islands; 15 lagoons; 2 bays.

- Bahía Carbonera
- Bahía de Curú
- Cabo Barreto
- Isla Alcatraz
- Isla Bejuco
- Isla Bocabrava
- Isla Bocachica
- Isla Botón
- Isla Caballo
- Isla Cedros
- Isla Chanchos
- Isla Chira
- Isla Cáscara
- Isla Cónico
- Isla Damas
- Isla Dos Aguas
- Isla El Coco
- Isla Encanto
- Isla Jesusita
- Isla Juan Bautista
- Isla La Sorpresa
- Isla Las Loras
- Isla Las Pelotas
- Isla Manuelita

…and 310 more.

### Hills and mountains

163 mountains; 107 hills; 10 mountain passes; 7 valleys; 1 peak.

- Cerro Bine · 3,186 m
- Cerro Echandi · 3,160 m
- Cerro Aká · 3,104 m
- Cerro Eli · 3,067 m
- Cerro Shurivo · 3,028 m
- Cerro Kasir · 2,972 m
- Cerro Deri · 2,895 m
- Cerro Pittier · 2,856 m
- Crestón · 2,833 m
- Cerro Akó · 2,738 m
- Cerro Surí · 2,623 m
- Cerro Urubuk · 2,579 m
- Cerro Gemelo · 2,551 m
- Cerro Platanillo · 2,475 m
- Cerro Betsú · 2,423 m
- Cerro Mok · 2,377 m
- Cerro Utsí · 2,323 m
- Cerro Amú · 2,308 m
- Cerro Beri · 2,256 m
- Cerro Kutsí · 2,141 m
- Cerro Kuákua · 2,141 m
- Cerro Datsi · 2,128 m
- Cerro San Jerónimo · 2,122 m
- Cerro Kebé · 2,110 m

…and 264 more.

### Forests and nature

10 nature reserves; 4 parks; 2 forest reserves; 2 wildlife reserves.

- Ave de Azul de la Osa
- Carara National Park
- Corcovado National Park
- Curú Wildlife Refuge
- Curú Wildlife Refuge
- Golfito National Wildlife Refuge
- Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Marino Ballena National Park
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
- Parque Marino del Pacifico
- Parque Mora y Cañas
- Parque Nacional Isla del Coco
- Parque Victoria
- Paso de las Lapas Biological Corridor
- Piedras Blancas National Park
- Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce
- Reserva Natural Absoluta

### Getting around

21 airfields; 14 airports; 2 ports; 1 bridge; 1 lighthouse.

- Boca Naranjo
- Buenos Aires Airport
- Cangrejo Verde
- Carate
- Cobano Airport
- Coto 47 Airport
- Dos Marias
- Drake Bay Airport
- Faro de Puntarenas
- Finca 10
- Finca 63 Airport
- Golfito Airport
- Jaco
- La Ligia
- Laurel Airport
- Llamaron
- Los Marin
- Mraz
- Palmar Sur Airport
- Papa Kilo
- Paso Canoas Airport
- Paso Real Beita
- Pitahaya
- Playon Sur

…and 15 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 Puntarenas Province and the best time to visit

In Puntarenas Province, the warmest month is Apr (average 23 °C) and the coolest is Nov (21 °C). About 2,124 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Nov (266 mm) and the driest Feb (49 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **January to April**.

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

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 21 86 

Feb 22 49 

Mar 23 63 

Apr 23 108 

May 23 250 

Jun 22 219 

Jul 22 252 

Aug 22 228 

Sep 22 209 

Oct 21 263 

Nov 21 266 

Dec 21 132 

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

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Puntarenas Province

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

- Hospitals68
- Banks105
- ATMs12
- Petrol pumps79
- Hotels1,859
- Shopping malls67
- Schools896
- Colleges and universities79
- Cinemas5
- Pharmacies94
- Restaurants1,834
- Police stations120
- Dental clinics70

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 Puntarenas Province?In Costa Rica
- What is the population of Puntarenas Province?504,716 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in Puntarenas Province?About 31 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of Puntarenas Province?About 45 people per km²
- What borders Puntarenas Province?Alajuela Province, Guanacaste Province, Limón Province and San José Province
- What is there to see in Puntarenas Province?3 water holes, Aguas Termales, Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary, Antiguo Mercado Municipal
- What time zone is Puntarenas Province in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in Puntarenas Province?Colon (CRC)
- What language is spoken in Puntarenas Province?Spanish, English (main languages nationally)
- What is the largest town in Puntarenas Province?Puntarenas
- What is the highest point in Puntarenas Province?Cerro Bine (3,186 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Puntarenas Province?January to April
- How many hospitals are in Puntarenas Province?68 mapped
- How many banks are in Puntarenas Province?105 mapped
- How many ATMs are in Puntarenas Province?12 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Puntarenas Province?79 mapped
- What is the P-code of Puntarenas Province?CR6 (OCHA common operational dataset)