Map of Costa Rica – Provinces, Cities & Location Guide
Explore Costa Rica with this interactive map showing its seven provinces, major cities, mountains, volcanoes and coastlines. Zoom in to locate San José, Liberia, Cartago, Limón and popular natural areas, or zoom out to see the country between Nicaragua and Panama.
Costa Rica is a Central American country known for its tropical forests, wildlife, national parks and beaches on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Its relatively compact size makes a country map especially useful for understanding how the different regions connect.
Costa Rica is in Central America, south of Nicaragua and north-west of Panama. Its capital is San José. The country has seven provinces, with the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east.
Interactive map | Provinces | Landmarks | FAQs
Zoom and drag to explore provinces, cities, main roads, national parks and both coastlines.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Place names, borders, roads and other features may change.
Where Is Costa Rica Located?
Costa Rica lies on the narrow Central American land bridge connecting North and South America. It covers approximately 51,100 square kilometres, with mountain ranges extending through its interior and lowlands reaching both coasts.
- North: Nicaragua, including the border area near Lake Nicaragua.
- South-east: Panama, beyond the southern mountain and coastal regions.
- West and south: Pacific Ocean, including the Nicoya Peninsula and Golfo Dulce.
- East: Caribbean Sea, with coastal communities around Limón.
The Central Valley contains the capital and several major population centres. Higher elevations tend to be cooler than the tropical coastal lowlands, so distances on the map do not always reflect driving times through mountainous terrain.
Costa Rica's Seven Provinces
The provinces are official administrative divisions. Each contains different cities, landscapes and communities; their boundaries are best examined by zooming into the map.
| Province | Main geographic reference |
|---|---|
| San José | Capital city, Central Valley and southern highlands. |
| Alajuela | Alajuela city, northern plains and Arenal area. |
| Cartago | Historic Cartago city, valleys and Irazú Volcano. |
| Heredia | Heredia city and forested northern areas. |
| Guanacaste | Liberia, Nicoya Peninsula and north-western beaches. |
| Puntarenas | Long Pacific coastal province, including the Osa Peninsula. |
| Limón | Caribbean coast, Limón city and Tortuguero area. |
Major Cities and Towns on the Map
- San José: National capital and main urban centre in the Central Valley.
- Alajuela: City near the country's principal international airport.
- Cartago: Historic city east of San José, near Irazú Volcano.
- Heredia: Central Valley city north of San José.
- Liberia: Gateway city for Guanacaste and north-western Pacific destinations.
- Limón: Caribbean port city on the eastern coast.
- La Fortuna: Town commonly used as a base for exploring the Arenal Volcano area.
Natural Landmarks to Find
- Arenal Volcano: Prominent volcanic landmark near La Fortuna.
- Monteverde: Mountain cloud-forest destination in the north-western highlands.
- Manuel Antonio National Park: Protected coastal forest and beaches near Quepos.
- Tortuguero National Park: Caribbean lowland waterways, forest and wildlife habitats.
- Corcovado National Park: Rainforest protected area on the Osa Peninsula.
- Cerro Chirripó: Costa Rica's highest mountain, in the Talamanca range.
National park access, trails and visitor rules can change. Check official park information before planning a visit.
Roads, Airports and Getting Around
Road networks connect San José with the Central Valley, Pacific coast and Caribbean coast. Juan Santamaría International Airport is near Alajuela, while Guanacaste Airport near Liberia serves the north-west. Mountain roads, rainfall and local conditions can make journeys considerably longer than expected from a map alone.
Use the embedded map to understand relative locations and a current navigation or transport service for actual routes, driving conditions and departure details.
Related Maps and Location Guides
Costa Rica Map FAQs
Where is Costa Rica on the world map?
It is in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama, with coasts on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
What is the capital of Costa Rica?
San José is the capital, located in the Central Valley.
How many provinces does Costa Rica have?
Seven: San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón.
Does Costa Rica have two coastlines?
Yes. Its western and southern shoreline faces the Pacific, while its eastern shoreline faces the Caribbean.
Where is Arenal Volcano?
Arenal is in northern Costa Rica, near La Fortuna in Alajuela Province.
Is Costa Rica an island?
No. Costa Rica is on the Central American mainland and shares land borders with two countries.
Can this map provide driving directions?
It is intended for exploring locations. Use a live navigation service for directions and current conditions.
Disclaimer
For general geographic information only. Maps, borders, roads and landmarks may be inaccurate or outdated. Do not use for navigation, emergencies, legal boundaries or official decisions. Check current travel and transport advice. Third-party links do not imply affiliation or endorsement.