Explore the Geography of Costa Rica

Geographic Highlights
Alajuela, Costa Rica’s second-largest province, stretches from the fertile Central Valley into rugged highlands dominated by iconic volcanoes. Arenal, Poás, and Tenorio shape both the scenery and the soils, making this province one of the most geologically dynamic regions in the country.

Climate & Ecosystems
Elevation changes create a wide range of climates, from warm agricultural valleys to cool, misty cloud forests. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, partly located in Alajuela, is world-renowned for its unique ecosystems, biodiversity, and canopy-level habitats. These microclimates nurture orchids, quetzals, and countless amphibians and insects.

Human Landscape
Agriculture is central to Alajuela’s identity. The province is home to extensive coffee and sugarcane plantations, as well as cattle ranches. Traditional markets in towns like Grecia and Sarchí highlight the cultural richness of the region, with Sarchí especially famous for its hand-painted oxcarts.

Conservation & Challenges
While volcanic soils and favorable climates fuel farming, they also create pressure on land use. Protected areas such as Juan Castro Blanco National Park safeguard forests, rivers, and water systems that sustain both people and wildlife.

Geographic Highlights
Cartago lies in the central highlands and is defined by its dramatic volcanic landscapes. The towering Irazú Volcano, the highest in Costa Rica at 3,432 meters, dominates the skyline and shapes the province’s terrain. Fertile valleys such as Orosi provide some of the most productive farmland in the country.

Climate & Ecosystems
The province’s high elevation produces cool temperatures and unique ecosystems. Cloud forests, páramo grasslands, and river valleys sustain a diversity of species adapted to cooler conditions, from hummingbirds to high-altitude plants found nowhere else. Hydrological resources like the Reventazón River are crucial for hydroelectric power and agriculture.

Human Landscape
Cartago was Costa Rica’s colonial capital and retains historical landmarks such as the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, an important religious site. Agriculture is a cornerstone of the province, with coffee, potatoes, and vegetables thriving in volcanic soils. Farmers’ markets and traditional practices keep agricultural identity strong.

Conservation & Challenges
While fertile volcanic soils make Cartago an agricultural powerhouse, soil erosion and land management remain concerns. Conservation areas and sustainable farming practices aim to protect natural resources while supporting local livelihoods.

Geographic Highlights
Heredia, located just north of San José, is known for its mountainous terrain and rich agricultural valleys. The Barva Volcano and surrounding Central Mountain Range dominate the landscape, offering elevations from 1,000 to nearly 3,000 meters. These elevations provide fertile volcanic soils ideal for farming.

Climate & Ecosystems
The province’s varied elevation produces a patchwork of ecosystems, from tropical lowland forests to cool cloud forests. Braulio Carrillo National Park spans much of Heredia, protecting over 47,000 hectares of forests and serving as a critical biological corridor for species like the resplendent quetzal and the jaguar. The Sarapiquí region, with its river system, supports both biodiversity and ecotourism.

Human Landscape
Heredia is called the “City of Flowers” for its lush gardens and greenery, even in urban areas. Agriculture plays a central role, with high-quality Arabica coffee cultivated on volcanic slopes. The province is also home to universities and research stations, such as La Selva Biological Station, which advances tropical rainforest science and education.

Conservation & Challenges
Urban expansion from the capital exerts pressure on Heredia’s forests and rivers, yet conservation areas like Braulio Carrillo and Bosque de la Hoja ensure that natural landscapes remain accessible and preserved.

Geographic Highlights
Guanacaste covers much of northwestern Costa Rica and is known for its sweeping Pacific coastline, rolling cattle ranches, and volcanic mountain ranges. The province borders Nicaragua to the north and the Nicoya Peninsula to the south, with landscapes ranging from arid savannas to lush river valleys.

Climate & Ecosystems
Unlike much of Costa Rica, Guanacaste experiences a pronounced dry season from December to April, creating ecosystems distinct from the humid tropics. Tropical dry forests, one of the most endangered biomes in Central America, are preserved in parks like Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja. Coastal estuaries and beaches provide critical nesting sites for Olive Ridley turtles.

Human Landscape
Guanacaste’s culture is deeply tied to cattle ranching and folkloric traditions, often celebrated through music, festivals, and cuisine. Agriculture remains important, but tourism has grown rapidly along the “Gold Coast,” with beach towns like Tamarindo and Playas del Coco attracting international visitors. The Nicoya Peninsula, a designated Blue Zone, is recognized for the longevity and lifestyle of its residents.

Conservation & Challenges
Deforestation and water scarcity have historically challenged Guanacaste, but reforestation and park protections have restored much of the landscape. Today, conservation efforts focus on balancing tourism growth with the preservation of dry forests and marine habitats.

 Geographic Highlights
Puntarenas stretches along much of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and includes the Nicoya Peninsula in the north, central Pacific beaches, and the remote southern Osa Peninsula. Its geography is incredibly diverse, ranging from mangrove estuaries and coastal plains to dense lowland rainforests and rugged mountains.

Climate & Ecosystems
The province encompasses both dry tropical zones in the Nicoya Peninsula and humid rainforests in the south. The Osa Peninsula is home to Corcovado National Park, often called one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Mangrove ecosystems, marine reserves, and coastal wetlands provide critical habitats for species such as scarlet macaws, crocodiles, and four species of nesting sea turtles.

Human Landscape
Fishing villages, ports, and agricultural communities dot the coastline. Puntarenas city historically served as a major port, while Quepos and Jacó have become hubs for tourism. In the southern zone, communities like Puerto Jiménez are gateways to conservation and ecotourism. Agriculture includes coffee in the highlands, cattle ranching, and crops like oil palm and bananas in lowland areas.

Conservation & Challenges
Conservation in Puntarenas is both essential and complex. Protected areas like Corcovado and Marino Ballena safeguard unique ecosystems, but the province also faces pressures from deforestation, development, and poaching of marine resources. Community-based conservation efforts — from turtle patrols to mangrove restoration — play a crucial role.

 Geographic Highlights
Limón stretches along Costa Rica’s entire Caribbean coastline, from the Nicaraguan border in the north to the Panamanian border in the south. Its landscapes include wide beaches, coastal wetlands, lowland rainforests, and river systems that connect inland communities to the sea. The Tortuguero Canals form one of the most unique geographic features in the country, a network of waterways often compared to an Amazonian ecosystem.

Climate & Ecosystems
The province has a hot, humid climate year-round, with high rainfall that sustains lush rainforests and coastal habitats. Tortuguero National Park is world-famous for Green turtle nesting, while Cahuita National Park protects coral reefs and mangroves. Limón’s ecosystems provide habitats for jaguars, manatees, toucans, and countless amphibians and reptiles.

Human Landscape
Limón is culturally distinct from the rest of Costa Rica, with strong Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous Bribri and Cabécar traditions shaping music, food, and festivals. The city of Limón is a major port for international trade, while coastal towns like Cahuita and Puerto Viejo are centers of reggae culture, Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and ecotourism. Banana and cacao plantations remain key parts of the agricultural economy.

Conservation & Challenges
Limón faces challenges from development, shipping, and agricultural expansion, but community-driven conservation projects are helping protect turtles, reefs, and Indigenous lands.