Largest Cities Of Costa Rica

From surf and sand to vibrant nightlife and rich culture, Costa Rica is among the best tourist destinations in the earth and a popular one among countries that start with C. A tropical state in Primal America, Costa rica too borders the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Sea, with over 1300 miles of beautiful coastline.

When we come down to the largest cities in Costa Rica, this is where the country is presented in such various and unique ways that yous want to visit each one by i. Whether you are looking to swim, hike, explore nature, dine, or dance to exotic music, you will not miss out in Costa rica.

I have dug deeper into each city to give you a experience of what awaits.

What are the Largest Cities in Republic of costa rica? The largest cities in Costa rica are San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Liberia, Paraíso, Limón, Puntarenas, Curridabat, San Isidro del General, and San Vicente.

one. San José

San José, with over two million people within its metropolitan expanse, is the biggest urban center in Costa rica. It serves as the capital and is located in the centre of the country. San José was founded in the 18th century and is at the eye of Costa Rican traditions and modern achievements.

Apart from being a perfect divergence indicate to different regions in the country, San Jose has enough attractions of its own. The top on the list is Art and Architecture.

Over the years, the city has stood out as a middle of civilization and art in Fundamental and Latin America. Watching performances by the National Symphonic Orchestra at the National Theatre of Republic of costa rica should definitely be on your to-do list.

If y'all are traveling with your niggling ones, exist sure to visit the Children's Museum, but a 20 minutes drive from Juan Santamaría International Airport.

2. Alajuela

Largest Cities In Costa Rica — Photograph by A Diesel Piece of work Lemon

Ask the locals and they will tell yous that Alajuela is the capital of the world. Afterward all, this is the hometown of Juan Santamaria, the national hero of Costa Rica. It is the 2d-largest city in the country with a population of most 300,000 people.

The city is at the center of an agronomical community. Actually, trekking in java farms is one of the area'due south master attractions- like to hiking through tea plantations in Sri Lanka. Here, tours include making coffee right from berries picked from the farms.

Alajuela also hosts the Butterfly Farm. Since its founding in 1884, the farms offering guided tours to animal enthusiasts from all over the world.

Interesting Fact: In Alajuela, yous tin can hike an active volcano. The Poas Volcano is an viii,880 ft-high active volcanic mountain with an over mile-long crater at the top. Likewise, the area around the volcano is a protected park with plenty of plants and wild fauna.

3. Cartago

Cartago is located less than 20 miles from the capital and is the 3rd biggest city in Republic of costa rica. For over 200 hundred years it served every bit the uppercase and today has over 150,000 inhabitants.

Cartago is an industrial city that houses many international companies. Locals phone call it the "City of Fogs" due to sudden fog that engulfs the urban center.

This urban center is popular with pilgrims who come to nourish mass at Our Lady of the Angels Basilica, a Cosmic church congenital-in 1639.

The urban center is also close to Irazu mount, an active volcano. This volcano is high plenty for y'all to see the Pacific and the Caribbean body of water- that is if y'all are willing to hike up xi,260 feet.

4. Liberia

Republic of liberia is located 134 miles from San José, the capital. The city has whites washed colonial houses and roads made of white gravel. For this reason, Liberia is unremarkably referred to as the 'White Metropolis'.

As the largest city of the Guanacaste province, Liberia is a popular tourist destination. Showtime of all, getting to the city is like shooting fish in a barrel since Liberia hosts 1 of Costa Rica's two international airports, the Daniel Oduber International Airport.

For a closer look at the area'south cultural heritage and the multifariousness of wood, y'all can explore artifacts, architectural exhibits, and beautiful sculptures at Guanacaste and Artwood Museums.

Are you into water rafting? From June to October, the Tenorio River, which runs through Liberia, attracts many thrill-seekers. Information technology has some of the best and biggest rapids for whitewater rafting.

5. Paraíso

Paraíso may not exactly pop above the residue when you lot are looking for the biggest cities in Costa rica. Nevertheless, for someone looking to enjoy a vacation surrounded by the dazzler of botanical gardens, authentic Costa Rican cuisine, and serene parks, y'all just found your paradise.

Located about five miles from one of the bigger cities, Cartago, Paraíso boasts a farmer's market with family-run restaurants. Hither, yous can interact with locals equally you share local delicacies.

If you are intrigued by gardens, the Lancaster botanical Gardens will take your jiff away. With over 600 species of orchids and other plants, the sight and the scent are only incredible and especially during the Feb-April flowering flavor.

Other activities include bird watching at Ujarrás village in Orosi Valley and exploring historic ruins and religious museums south of Paraiso.

6. Limón

Among the largest cities in Republic of costa rica, Limon is at number seven and is abode to the Afro-Caribbean area community. This is a port city located on the Caribbean coast, with about 125 miles of coastline.

Lush forest and pristine beaches define this city of about 58,000 dwellers. The region as well comes with biodiverse mountains and scenic landscapes. Amongst its major attractions is Parque Vargas, a park filled with palm copse and the ever wearisome sloths.

The biodiversity of Republic of costa rica is also well represented by the Cahuita National Park in Limon. This is an 86 square mile- park fabricated of hiking trails, coral reef, and turtle nesting grounds. You can also scuba-dive-to view an 18th-century shipwreck, manta rays, and sharks.

If you similar the Caribbean lifestyle, Limon is your kind of place. From reggae and calypso to soca and ragga, this urban center comes with a special beach vibe.

7. Puntarenas

On the Pacific side of Costa Rica is some other 1 of the biggest cities in Costa Rica, Puntarenas. It is the capital of the Province of Puntarenas with virtually 100,000 people. The city is popular with tourists since it hosts one of the country'south principal ports, Caldera.

The expanse is more often than not hotter than the inland with temperatures ranging from 86⁰F to 95⁰F. The favorable weather, a reliable railway line, plus a port that can arrange big ships makes Puntarenas one of the virtually important Costa Rican cities.

The province likewise connects to the Nicoya Peninsula which is known for having some of the best beaches in the world. Ostional Wild animals Refuge is also constitute in the peninsula and is known for the over 500,000 turtles that come up to shore for nesting.

Tip: Visit Puntarenas urban center in February. This is when the metropolis comes to life with carnivals and music concerts. Both local and international enthusiasts nourish.

viii. Curridabat

This is a metropolis on the eastern side of San José province and a part of the canton of Curridabat. As one of the oldest amid Costa Rican cities, withal so popular with foreigners, Curridabat city offers simply the right dose of the Costa Rican culture in a modern environment.

The city is particularly appealing to those looking to spend some time taking in some fresh air. Parks such as Central Park, Parque España, and Parque Morazán are irresistible.

If you would rather explore intellectual stuff, the city hosts the University of Republic of costa rica where the Museum of Insects is housed. You lot may also get intrigued past the Republic of costa rica Railroad Station and the Legislative Assembly.

If yous take kids, they'll definitely love the local and exotic animals in the Simón Bolivar Zoo earlier you lot tin get shopping or settle downwardly for a meal at the Momentum Pinares shopping mall.

9. San Isidro del General

In the southern part of San Jose Province is the city of San Isidro, a boondocks with a little over 45,000 people. It is located about 81 miles from the majuscule and approximately 131 miles from the Panama edge.

Among the top things to do in San Isidro include sampling seafood, attending agronomical festivals and hiking. This charming town is also home to several national parks for both land and marine animals.

Hiking usually takes place at the Chirripo National Park. The name of the park is derived from the Cerro Chirripo, the tallest mountain in the country. Ascension 12,533 anxiety in a higher place the sea level, the mountain offers some of the best hiking trails in Costa Rica.

Hiking Tip: for a better view of the surrounding area and mountains, become for the 12.4 mile-long trail. The path has an elevation of 7,218 anxiety that takes you to the tiptop. And apparel warmly; the summit can drop to 32⁰ F, especially at night time.

10. San Vicente

San Vicente is a city of about 31,000 people in the Moravia canton, which is office of the greater San Jose Province. The suburb is the head town of the area nigh 5 miles from the uppercase.

Even with its proximity to San Jose, this town has unique attractions of its ain. To begin with, San Vicente has some of the all-time residential areas that are open up to tourists. Hither y'all become to experience the typical Costa Rican family life and culture.

The boondocks also comes with great hotels, bars, and restaurants. Apart from enjoying street food in San Vicente, you can have a chocolate tasting tour and fifty-fifty attend some cooking classes. Highly recommended!

Hospitality services aside, this side of San Jose is home to several institutions of college learning. This city is also popular with tourists who come up to rest in public gardens and parks in the surface area.

Final Thoughts

Costa Rica as a country has a lot to be explored. As you tin see from the list of cities to a higher place, each of them comes uniquely packaged with attractions that are sure to amaze you. However, you tin simply go fully satisfied by visiting each city individually. Which city are you lot starting with?