Canton · Puntarenas Province
# Golfito Canton

Golfito Canton is a canton of Costa Rica in Puntarenas Province. It had an estimated 33,528 people in 2021 on 1,032 km² (about 32 per km²). Its main town is Golfito. It is divided into 3 districts. 177 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 274 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.
- 33,528 people (2021)
- 1,032 km²
- 3 districts
- 274 mapped services

## How many people live in Golfito Canton?

Golfito Canton had an estimated 33,528 people in 2021 — 6.6% of Puntarenas Province, 52nd of 83 cantons. There are 923 women for every 1,000 men (below the Puntarenas Province figure of 961). Spread over 1,032 km², that is about 32 people per km², 70th of 83 cantons.

25.3% of people are children under 15 and 8.7% are 65 or older; the median age is about 30 years (it is 31 across Puntarenas Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 51 children and older people.
- 0–4 2,756
- 5–9 2,787
- 10–14 2,932
- 15–19 3,046
- 20–24 2,695
- 25–29 2,751
- 30–34 2,554
- 35–39 2,437
- 40–44 2,208
- 45–49 1,786
- 50–54 1,686
- 55–59 1,599
- 60–64 1,383
- 65–69 1,084
- 70–74 707
- 75+ 1,117

Source: Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, population 2021 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Where is Golfito Canton?

Golfito Canton lies in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica. It borders 4 other cantons: Buenos Aires Canton, Corredores Canton, Coto Brus Canton and Osa Canton. By area it is the 18th largest of 84 cantons in Costa Rica. It covers 9.1% of Puntarenas Province. The centre of Golfito Canton is about 202 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. It is about 260 km from Puntarenas, the main town of Puntarenas Province. The centre point is at 8.4275° N, 83.0590° W.

Source: Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO).

## Things to see in and around Golfito Canton

OpenStreetMap lists 11 named sights in Golfito Canton: 4 beachs; 3 attractions; 1 viewpoint; 1 national park; 1 ruins; 1 waterfall.
- Km 31's Waterfalls · waterfall
- Piedras Blancas National Park · national park
- Playa Banco · beach
- Playa Gallardo · beach
- Playa Pavones · beach
- Playa Zancudo · beach
- Mirador Picnic · viewpoint
- Golfito National Wildlife Refuge · attraction
- Old United Fruit Company Train · attraction
- TROCHA · attraction
- Parqueo en desuso · ruins

Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Golfito Canton
- Time zone UTC−6, no daylight saving · America/Costa_Rica
- Currency Colon (CRC)
- Country calling code +506
- Languages Spanish, English
- Plug types Type A, B · 120 V
- Driving side Right
- Postcode format 5 digits (#####)

### Nearest airports
- Golfito Airport (GLF) · Golfito 29 km
- Puerto Jimenez Airport (PJM) · Puerto Jimenez 29 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.6 hours, sunrise around 05:13) and shortest in Dec (about 11.6 hours, sunrise around 05:38, sunset around 17:16).

Source: GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03; OurAirports (public domain).

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 Golfito Canton
| District | People | per km² | Area km² | Localities | Services |
| Guaycará | 14,065 | 44 | 323 | 49 | 67 |
| Golfito | 11,861 | 33 | 356 | 81 | 128 |
| Pavón | 7,602 | 22 | 353 | 50 | 79 |

Source: Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO); Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, population 2021 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO).

## Villages and localities in Golfito Canton

Open gazetteers list 177 villages, towns and localities in Golfito Canton. The largest with a recorded population: Golfito (6,777). Settlements here lie between about 1 m and 605 m above sea level (median 67 m).
- Agroindustrial
- Aguada
- Al Alto
- Alamedas
- Altamira
- Alto
- Alto Carona
- Alto Conte
- Alto Guaymí
- Alto Río Claro
- Asentamiento Alberto Villalobos
- Atrocho
- Bajo Bonita
- Bajo Cedros
- Bajo Chontales
- Bajo Grapa
- Bajo Mansito
- Bajo Río Claro
- Bajo Sucio
- Bajo de Coto
- Bajos Caña Blanca
- Bambel 1
- Bambel 2
- Bambel 3
- Bambú
- Banco
- Bellavista
- Bolsa
- Buenos Aires
- Burica
- Caballo Blanco
- Camote
- Caracol
- Caña Blanca
- Cdla. Pérez
- Chiqueros
- Ciudadela Madrigal
- Clarita
- Cocal Amarillo
- Conte
- Coto 56-57
- Coto 58
- Coto 62-63
- Coto Independiente
- Cuarenta y Cinco
- Cuervito
- Daniel Herrera
- Delicias
- Disco
- Dos Ríos
- El Atrocho
- El Higo
- El Jardín
- El Progreso
- El Rastro
- Esperanza
- Esperanza de Coto
- Esperanza de Sábalos
- Esquinas
- Estero Colorado
- Finca 54
- Finca 55
- Flor de Coto
- Florida
- Fortuna de Coto
- Gallardo
- Gamba
- Golfito
- Gorrión
- Guaycará
- Huacas
- Jardín
- Jorge Brenes Durán
- Kilometro 20
- Kilometro 7
- Kilómetro 1
- Kilómetro 16
- Kilómetro 2
- Kilómetro 20
- Kilómetro 24
- Kilómetro 29
- Kilómetro 3
- Kilómetro 30
- Kilómetro 33
- Kilómetro 5
- Kilómetro 7
- Kilómetro 9
- La Bolsa
- La Colonia
- La Escuadra
- La Esperanza
- La Estrella
- La Julieta
- La Lucha
- La Mona
- La Peña (Riviera)
- La Purruja
- La Rotonda
- La Unión
- La Virgen
- La Yerba
- Lagarto
- Laguna
- Langostino
- Las Alamedas
- Las Brisas
- Las Peñas
- Las Tecas
- Las Trenzas
- Limbo
- Linda Vista
- Llano Bonito
- Los Almendros
- Los Gemelos
- Los Ángeles
- Manuel Tucker Martínez
- Manzanillo
- Minerva
- Mona
- Naranjal
- Nazareth
- Nicaragua
- Nubes
- Oasis de Esperanza
- Palma
- Parroquial
- Paso Higuerón
- Peninsula de Osa
- Peñas
- Peñita
- Playa Cacao
- Progreso
- Pueblo Civil
- Puerto Escondido
- Puerto La Playa
- Puerto Pilón
- Punta Banco
- Punta Blanco
- Puntarenitas
- Purruja
- Quebrada Honda
- Riviera
- Riyito
- Rotonda
- Río Bonito
- Río Claro
- Río Claro (Pavones)
- Saladerito
- Saladero
- San Andrés
- San Francisco
- San Josecito
- San Juan
- San Martín
- San Miguel (Valle Cedros)
- San Ramón
- Santiago
- Sábalos
- Tigre
- Tigre (Caracol Norte)
- Tigrito
- Torres
- Trenzas
- Unión
- Unión de Coto
- Ureña
- Valle Bonito
- Vanegas
- Vegas de Río Claro
- Villa Briceño
- Viquilla Dos
- Viquilla Uno
- Vista del Mar
- Yerba
- Zancudo
- Zona Gris
- Ánimas

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features; © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements.

## Landscape and landmarks of Golfito Canton

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

### Water

124 rivers and streams.
- Quebrada Achiote
- Quebrada Aguas Claras
- Quebrada Amargura
- Quebrada Angelina
- Quebrada Arena
- Quebrada Azul
- Quebrada Azul
- Quebrada Bananito
- Quebrada Banco
- Quebrada Banco
- Quebrada Barrigón
- Quebrada Blanca
- Quebrada Bodega
- Quebrada Bolsa
- Quebrada Bote
- Quebrada Buenos Aires
- Quebrada Camacho
- Quebrada Carones
- Quebrada Catarata
- Quebrada Cativo
- Quebrada Cedeño
- Quebrada Chocuaco
- Quebrada Chombo
- Quebrada Chontales

…and 100 more.

### Coast and islands

22 headlands; 7 beaches; 1 lagoon.
- Laguna Pamplona
- Platanal Point
- Playa Bonita
- Playa Cativo
- Playa Gallardo
- Playa Mono
- Playa Nicuesa
- Playa San Josecito
- Playa Ánimas
- Punta Adela
- Punta Agua Fría
- Punta Banco
- Punta Cerro Partido
- Punta Covachas
- Punta El Bajo
- Punta El Cabro
- Punta El Mangle
- Punta Encanto
- Punta Esperanza
- Punta Esquinas
- Punta Gorda
- Punta Larga
- Punta Mono Congo
- Punta Palito

…and 6 more.

### Hills and mountains

3 mountains; 3 hills; 2 valleys; 1 peak.
- Cerro Zapote · 1,479 m
- Cerro Cañas Gordas · 567 m
- Cerro Adams · 335 m
- Cerro Nicuesa · 240 m
- Cerro Queque · 96 m
- Cerro Café · 94 m
- Bajos Caña Blanca · 80 m
- Alto Mirador · 72 m
- Bajos Saladerito · 41 m

### Forests and nature

2 nature reserves.
- Golfito National Wildlife Refuge
- Piedras Blancas National Park

### Getting around

2 airports; 2 airfields.
- Finca 63 Airport
- Golfito Airport
- Mraz
- Punta Banco

Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features.

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Golfito Canton and the best time to visit

In Golfito Canton, the warmest month is Mar (average 28 °C) and the coolest is Oct (25 °C). About 2,296 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Oct (296 mm) and the driest Feb (34 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 | 26 | 63 |
| Feb | 27 | 34 |
| Mar | 28 | 49 |
| Apr | 28 | 110 |
| May | 26 | 287 |
| Jun | 26 | 239 |
| Jul | 26 | 286 |
| Aug | 26 | 270 |
| Sep | 25 | 242 |
| Oct | 25 | 296 |
| Nov | 25 | 296 |
| Dec | 26 | 123 |

Source: NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Golfito Canton

Places mapped inside Golfito Canton in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations.
- Hospitals 5
- Banks 6
- Petrol pumps 2
- Hotels 82
- Shopping malls 2
- Schools 85
- Colleges and universities 3
- Pharmacies 5
- Restaurants 67
- Police stations 12
- Dental clinics 5

Source: Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Quick answers
- Where is Golfito Canton? In Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
- What is the population of Golfito Canton? 33,528 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in Golfito Canton? About 30 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of Golfito Canton? About 32 people per km²
- What borders Golfito Canton? Buenos Aires Canton, Corredores Canton, Coto Brus Canton and Osa Canton
- What is there to see in Golfito Canton? Golfito National Wildlife Refuge, Km 31's Waterfalls, Mirador Picnic, Old United Fruit Company Train
- What time zone is Golfito Canton in? UTC−6
- What currency is used in Golfito Canton? Colon (CRC)
- What language is spoken in Golfito Canton? Spanish, English (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Golfito Canton? 177 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Golfito Canton? Settlements lie between 1 m and 605 m
- What is the highest point in Golfito Canton? Cerro Zapote (1,479 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Golfito Canton? January to April
- How many hospitals are in Golfito Canton? 5 mapped
- How many banks are in Golfito Canton? 6 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in Golfito Canton? 2 mapped
- What is the P-code of Golfito Canton? CR607 (OCHA common operational dataset)

At a glance
- Type: Canton
- Area: 1,032.3 km²
- P-code: CR607
- Province: Puntarenas Province
- Main town: Golfito

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Canonical: https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/puntarenas/golfito/ · Updated 2026-11-03 · Data: national censuses and statistics offices (sources named in each section); © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); Overture Maps; GeoNames; NASA POWER.