Regions and Provinces of Costa Rica

A common source of confustion among visitors to Costa Rica are the references to different areas of the country. Below is a breakdown of the different regions and provinces of Costa Rica. Click on either of the maps for a larger view.

Regions of Costa Rica

Regions of Costa RicaThe regions of Costa Rica each refer to an area of the county in geographical terms.
Click to enlarge.

Caribbean - Caribe

Central Valley - Central

Northern Plains - Llanuras del Norte

Central Pacific - Pacífico Central

Northern Pacific - Pacífico Norte

Southern Pacific - Pacífico Sur

Provinces of Costa Rica

Provinces of Costa RicaCosta Rica also has 7 different provinces, each of which constitutes a legal juristiction of the country. Click to enlarge.

Alajuela - central; north of capital San José

Cartago - central; east of San José

Guanacaste - north-west

Heredia - east

Limón - east along the Caribbean coast

Puntarenas - south-west, extending north along the coase

San José - Area around San José