The Provinces in Costa Rica

In the country of Costa Rica there are 7 provinces.  These would be similar to states in the USA.

San Jose Province

The province of San Jose is the heart of the country. Two-thirds of the population reside here, and it is the center of governmental and cultural affairs for the country. San Jose has a vibrant nightlife and many international restaurants to choose from. The city is less intimidating when compared to other Central American capitals, and is abundant with beautiful parks.  The city is surrounded by towering green mountains which cradle the capital giving it a warm and friendly feel.

Alajuela Province

The province of Alajuela ranges from the northern part of San Jose up into the northern plains of Costa Rica.  The international airport is located within the province of Alajuela.  Alajuela is home to two of Costa Rica’s most famous volcanoes, Arenal and Poas.  Volcano Arenal erupts nightly with magnificent shows of ash and lava, and has quickly become one of the primary tourist attractions in the country.  Volcano Poas contains a crater which is over a mile in diameter, and has the distinction of having the largest geyser in the world. 

Province of Cartago

The Province of Cartago is located south of San Jose’.  The tallest volcano in the country is located within this province, Vocano Irazu.  Volcano Irazu is unique, possessing a lunar-like landscape, and a beautiful lake crater.  The province of Cartago is also the final destination of an annual pilgrimage of hundreds of thousands of Costa Ricans to the holy site of La Negrita.  The legend of La Negrita (The Virgin Mary) was born in 1635, when a Mestizo woman found a statue of The Virgin Mary on a large stone in Cartago.

Province of Heredia  

The province of Heredia is characterized by amazing waterfalls, thick tropical forest, and roaring rivers.   The mountains of Braulio Carrillo National Park are located within the province of Heredia and provide excellent opportunities for hiking, sight-seeing, and white water rafting.

Province of Guanacaste

The province of Guanacaste is located in the northwest region of Costa Rica which includes the northern section of the Nicoya Peninsula.  The name Guanacaste comes from the large umbrella-like trees that are found throughout the region.  Some of the most beautiful beaches, including Playa Hermosa and Playa Conchal, are located in the province of Guanacaste.  The only other international airport is located in the city of Liberia in the northern part of Guanacaste.

Provice of Puntarenas

The province of Puntarenas stretches along seventy percent of the countries Pacific coastline.  There are endless miles of pristine beaches located within Puntarenas.  Costa Rica’s most popular tourist attraction, Manuel Antonio Park, is located in the central area of the province of Puntarenas.  Corcovado National Park can be found at the southern-most part of Puntarenas, and is a protected area for many endangered species. 

Province of Limon

The province of Limon is located along the Caribbean Sea in the eastern-most part of Costa Rica.  This area is characterized by the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean and over a hundred miles of palm-lined sandy beaches.  In the northern part of Limon, world-class tarpon and snook fishing can be located in Barra del Colorado.  Limon is also home to the Tortuguero National Park, which is the most important nesting site in the western Caribbean for the green sea turtle.