Costa Rica — World Gazetteer, 2005 edition
Costa Rica had an estimated population of 4,301,172 in 2005, with 215 places recorded. Archived from the World Gazetteer, the reference work formerly published at this domain.
About these figures. This page is part of the restored World Gazetteer archive: the 2005 edition of Stefan Helders' reference work, which was published at this domain until 2013 and is preserved here. Figures are as of 2005 and are kept for citation continuity and historical comparison. Esta página conserva la edición de 2005 del World Gazetteer. Las cifras corresponden a 2005; para datos actuales, consulte las fuentes oficiales.
For current figures: Costa Rica today — population now 5,174,789, against 4,301,172 in 2005.
| Source | 2005 | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Gazetteer (the work cited) | 4,301,172 | — | — |
| UN World Population Prospects | 4,261,240 | 5,174,789 | +21% |
The two 2005 figures agree closely. Use the UN pair for a like-for-like change.
Agglomerations, 2005
| # | Name | Population (2005) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San José | 1,574,612 |
Cities and towns, 2005
| # | Place | Region | Population (2005) | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San José | San José | 335,007 | 335,007 now |
| 2 | Limón | Limón | 63,081 | 63,081 now |
| 3 | San Francisco | Heredia | 55,923 | — |
| 4 | Alajuela | Alajuela | 47,494 | 47,494 now |
| 5 | Liberia | Guanacaste | 45,380 | 45,380 now |
| 6 | Paraíso | Cartago | 39,702 | 39,702 now |
| 7 | Desamparados | San José | 39,245 | 14,448 now |
| 8 | Puntarenas | Puntarenas | 35,650 | 35,650 now |
| 9 | San Isidro | San José | 34,877 | 34,877 now |
| 10 | Curridabat | San José | 34,586 | 34,586 now |
| 11 | San Vicente | San José | 34,447 | 34,447 now |
| 12 | San José | Alajuela | 31,430 | — |
| 13 | Purral | San José | 30,034 | 30,034 now |
| 14 | Turrialba | Cartago | 28,955 | 28,955 now |
| 15 | San Miguel | San José | 28,827 | 28,827 now |
| 16 | Aguacaliente | Cartago | 28,500 | — |
| 17 | San Pedro | San José | 27,477 | 27,477 now |
| 18 | San Rafael Abajo | San José | 27,419 | 27,419 now |
| 19 | Quesada | Alajuela | 27,310 | 27,310 now |
| 20 | Ipís | San José | 26,669 | — |
| 21 | Cartago | Cartago | 26,594 | 26,594 now |
| 22 | Chacarita | Puntarenas | 26,354 | 26,354 now |
| 23 | San Juan | San José | 26,047 | 26,047 now |
| 24 | Mercedes | Heredia | 26,007 | — |
| 25 | Guadalupe | San José | 26,005 | 26,005 now |
| 26 | Aserrí | San José | 25,874 | 25,874 now |
| 27 | San Rafael | San José | 25,410 | 25,410 now |
| 28 | San Rafael | Cartago | 25,367 | 25,410 now |
| 29 | San Felipe | San José | 24,985 | 24,985 now |
| 30 | Patalillo | San José | 24,252 | — |
| 31 | Patarrá | San José | 23,983 | 23,983 now |
| 32 | San Nicolás | Cartago | 22,649 | — |
| 33 | El Tejar | Cartago | 22,433 | — |
| 34 | Concepción | San José | 22,032 | 14,000 now |
| 35 | Heredia | Heredia | 21,947 | 21,947 now |
| 36 | San Pablo | Heredia | 21,662 | 21,662 now |
| 37 | Tirrases | San José | 21,226 | — |
| 38 | Calle Blancos | San José | 20,710 | — |
| 39 | Cañas | Guanacaste | 20,306 | 20,306 now |
| 40 | San Antonio | San José | 20,289 | 10,938 now |
| 41 | Ulloa | Heredia | 19,991 | — |
| 42 | Guápiles | Limón | 19,092 | 19,092 now |
| 43 | Siquirres | Limón | 18,231 | 18,231 now |
| 44 | Mata de Plátano | San José | 17,870 | — |
| 45 | Gravilias | San José | 17,780 | — |
| 46 | San Rafael | Alajuela | 17,649 | 25,410 now |
| 47 | San Isidro | San José | 17,614 | 34,877 now |
| 48 | San Diego | Cartago | 16,991 | 16,991 now |
| 49 | Espiritu Santo | Puntarenas | 16,044 | — |
| 50 | Carmen | Cartago | 15,917 | — |
| 51 | Colima | San José | 15,875 | — |
| 52 | Esparta | Puntarenas | 15,575 | — |
| 53 | San Juan | San José | 15,469 | 26,047 now |
| 54 | Nicoya | Guanacaste | 15,313 | 15,313 now |
| 55 | San Rafael Arriba | San José | 15,051 | 15,051 now |
| 56 | Damas | San José | 14,579 | — |
| 57 | Desemparados | Alajuela | 14,448 | — |
| 58 | Cariari | Limón | 14,020 | — |
| 59 | Concepción | Cartago | 14,000 | 14,000 now |
| 60 | Alajuelita | San José | 13,845 | 13,845 now |
| 61 | Guadalupe | Cartago | 13,754 | 26,005 now |
| 62 | Sabanilla | San José | 13,251 | 13,251 now |
| 63 | San Antonio | Alajuela | 12,965 | 10,938 now |
| 64 | Granadilla | San José | 12,683 | — |
| 65 | Grecia | Alajuela | 12,675 | — |
| 66 | Santa Cruz | Guanacaste | 12,281 | 12,281 now |
| 67 | San Josecito | Heredia | 12,195 | 12,195 now |
| 68 | Escazú | San José | 12,071 | 12,071 now |
| 69 | Naranjo | Alajuela | 11,853 | 11,853 now |
| 70 | Guácimo | Alajuela | 11,720 | — |
| 71 | Buenos Aires | Puntarenas | 11,680 | 11,680 now |
| 72 | Trinidad | San José | 11,170 | — |
| 73 | San Antonio | Heredia | 10,938 | 10,938 now |
| 74 | Anselmo Llorente | San José | 10,879 | — |
| 75 | San Ramón | Alajuela | 10,765 | 10,765 now |
| 76 | San Antonio de Desamparados | San José | 10,542 | — |
| 77 | Tres Ríos | Cartago | 10,430 | 10,430 now |
| 78 | Daniel Flores | San José | 10,028 | — |
| 79 | San Rafael | Cartago | 9,943 | 25,410 now |
| 80 | Río Segundo | Alajuela | 9,853 | 9,853 now |
| 81 | Pata de Plátano | San José | 9,846 | — |
| 82 | Colón | San José | 9,687 | 9,687 now |
| 83 | San Rafael | Heredia | 8,887 | 25,410 now |
| 84 | San Josecito | San José | 8,447 | 12,195 now |
| 85 | San Juan | Cartago | 8,446 | — |
| 86 | Santiago | San José | 8,292 | — |
| 87 | Santa Ana | San José | 8,029 | — |
| 88 | Quepos | Puntarenas | 7,810 | — |
| 89 | Santiago | Heredia | 7,748 | — |
| 90 | San Juan | Alajuela | 7,729 | — |
| 91 | Dulce Nombre de Jesús | San José | 7,674 | — |
| 92 | Tilarán | Guanacaste | 7,301 | — |
| 93 | Santa Rosa | Heredia | 7,205 | — |
| 94 | Cinco Esquinas | San José | 7,158 | — |
| 95 | Corredor | Puntarenas | 7,084 | — |
| 96 | Guácimo | Limón | 7,022 | — |
| 97 | Atenas | Alajuela | 7,014 | — |
| 98 | Cot | Cartago | 6,784 | — |
| 99 | Golfito | Puntarenas | 6,777 | — |
| 100 | Llorente | Heredia | 6,626 | — |
| 101 | San Joaquín | Heredia | 6,617 | — |
| 102 | Miramar | Puntarenas | 6,540 | — |
| 103 | San Miguel | Heredia | 6,414 | — |
| 104 | Rivera | Heredia | 6,406 | — |
| 105 | San Rafael Montes de Oca | San José | 6,233 | — |
| 106 | Orotina | Alajuela | 6,135 | — |
| 107 | Santa Lucía | Heredia | 6,006 | — |
| 108 | Dulce Nombre | Cartago | 5,931 | — |
| 109 | Pozos | San José | 5,921 | — |
| 110 | Santo Tomás | Heredia | 5,882 | — |
| 111 | Filadeldia | Guanacaste | 5,861 | — |
| 112 | San Juan | Heredia | 5,749 | — |
| 113 | Santo Domingo | Heredia | 5,745 | — |
| 114 | Salitrillos | San José | 5,738 | — |
| 115 | Santa Bárbara | Heredia | 5,673 | — |
| 116 | Barva | Heredia | 5,508 | — |
| 117 | Mercedes | San José | 5,467 | — |
| 118 | Pocora | Limón | 5,248 | — |
| 119 | San Vicente | Heredia | 5,052 | — |
| 120 | Rita | Limón | 5,040 | — |
| 121 | San Pedro | Alajuela | 4,994 | — |
| 122 | San Rafael de Coronado | San José | 4,844 | — |
| 123 | Juntas | Guanacaste | 4,737 | — |
| 124 | Palmar | Puntarenas | 4,657 | — |
| 125 | Palmares | Alajuela | 4,645 | — |
| 126 | Batán | Limón | 4,584 | — |
| 127 | Canoas | Puntarenas | 4,573 | — |
| 128 | San Pablo | Heredia | 4,482 | — |
| 129 | Asunción | Heredia | 4,383 | — |
| 130 | Orosi | Cartago | 4,350 | — |
| 131 | La Cruz | Guanacaste | 4,319 | — |
| 132 | Carrillos | Alajuela | 4,258 | — |
| 133 | San Marcos de Tarrazú | San José | 4,255 | — |
| 134 | Upala | Alajuela | 4,185 | — |
| 135 | Tierra Blanca | Cartago | 4,131 | — |
| 136 | Bagaces | Guanacaste | 4,108 | — |
| 137 | Jacó | Puntarenas | 4,085 | — |
| 138 | Tobosi | Cartago | 4,060 | — |
| 139 | Buenos Aires | Alajuela | 3,995 | 11,680 now |
| 140 | San Vito | Puntarenas | 3,981 | — |
| 141 | Puerto Cortés | Puntarenas | 3,850 | — |
| 142 | San Isidro | Heredia | 3,785 | — |
| 143 | Turrícares | Alajuela | 3,739 | — |
| 144 | Parrita | Puntarenas | 3,734 | — |
| 145 | San Roque | Alajuela | 3,711 | — |
| 146 | Piedades Norte | Alajuela | 3,631 | — |
| 147 | San Rafael | Alajuela | 3,624 | — |
| 148 | Zarcero | Alajuela | 3,559 | — |
| 149 | San Roque | Heredia | 3,459 | — |
| 150 | Sarchí Norte | Alajuela | 3,397 | — |
| 151 | Dulce Nombre | Cartago | 3,360 | — |
| 152 | San Juan | Alajuela | 3,343 | — |
| 153 | Los Chiles | Alajuela | 3,342 | — |
| 154 | Uruca | San José | 3,296 | — |
| 155 | Sánchez | San José | 3,293 | — |
| 156 | Sardinal | Guanacaste | 3,267 | — |
| 157 | San Ignacio | San José | 3,072 | — |
| 158 | Fortuna | Alajuela | 3,010 | — |
| 159 | Pocosol | Alajuela | 2,947 | — |
| 160 | San Francisco de Goicoechea | San José | 2,864 | — |
| 161 | Sarchí Sur | Alajuela | 2,836 | — |
| 162 | Salitral | San José | 2,833 | — |
| 163 | San Pablo | San José | 2,822 | — |
| 164 | Juan Viñas | Cartago | 2,817 | — |
| 165 | Guaycará | Puntarenas | 2,814 | — |
| 166 | Puerto Viejo | Heredia | 2,728 | — |
| 167 | Belén | Guanacaste | 2,715 | — |
| 168 | San Ramón | Cartago | 2,713 | — |
| 169 | Tucurrique | Cartago | 2,697 | — |
| 170 | Horquetas | Heredia | 2,611 | — |
| 171 | La Suiza | Cartago | 2,434 | — |
| 172 | San Isidro | Cartago | 2,413 | — |
| 173 | Roxana | Limón | 2,351 | — |
| 174 | Matina | Limón | 2,315 | — |
| 175 | San Pedro | Heredia | 2,309 | — |
| 176 | Manzanillo | Puntarenas | 2,253 | — |
| 177 | Mogote | Guanacaste | 2,198 | — |
| 178 | Santiago | Alajuela | 2,107 | — |
| 179 | Pital | Alajuela | 2,046 | — |
| 180 | Puerto Jiménez | Puntarenas | 2,025 | — |
| 181 | Barrantes | Heredia | 1,887 | — |
| 182 | Hojancha | Guanacaste | 1,823 | — |
| 183 | Sixaola | Limón | 1,823 | — |
| 184 | Vuelta de Jorco | San José | 1,822 | — |
| 185 | Fortuna | Guanacaste | 1,774 | — |
| 186 | Nandayure | Guanacaste | 1,649 | — |
| 187 | Pejibaye | Cartago | 1,630 | — |
| 188 | Pacayas | Cartago | 1,556 | — |
| 189 | Palmichal | San José | 1,545 | — |
| 190 | Esquipulas | Alajuela | 1,512 | — |
| 191 | Paquera | Puntarenas | 1,510 | — |
| 192 | San Rafael | Alajuela | 1,461 | — |
| 193 | La Cuesta | Puntarenas | 1,385 | — |
| 194 | San Mateo | Alajuela | 1,372 | — |
| 195 | Ángeles | Heredia | 1,355 | — |
| 196 | Santa María | San José | 1,240 | — |
| 197 | Valle la Estrella | Limón | 1,212 | — |
| 198 | San Juan | Alajuela | 1,132 | — |
| 199 | Bijagua | Alajuela | 1,090 | — |
| 200 | San José | Heredia | 1,080 | — |
| 201 | Sámara | Guanacaste | 1,071 | — |
| 202 | Sabanilla | Alajuela | 1,015 | — |
| 203 | Mastate | Alajuela | 1,007 | — |
| 204 | Capellades | Cartago | 993 | — |
| 205 | Jiménez | Limón | 985 | — |
| 206 | Florencia | Alajuela | 888 | — |
| 207 | San Pablo | San José | 863 | — |
| 208 | Macacona | Puntarenas | 840 | — |
| 209 | Laguna | Alajuela | 670 | — |
| 210 | Cahuita | Limón | 646 | — |
| 211 | San José | Alajuela | 473 | — |
| 212 | Copey | San José | 288 | — |
| 213 | Dos Ríos | Alajuela | 287 | — |
| 214 | Venado | Alajuela | 250 | — |
| 215 | Tigra | Alajuela | 194 | — |
The Today column links to our current page for the same place, where one matches by name and plausible size; the figure shown there is today's, never 2005's. A dash means no confident match, which is more honest than a guessed link.
Administrative divisions, 2005
| # | Name | Population (2005) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San José | 1,510,026 |
| 2 | Alajuela | 810,585 |
| 3 | Cartago | 485,515 |
| 4 | Puntarenas | 406,731 |
| 5 | Heredia | 399,580 |
| 6 | Limón | 390,942 |
| 7 | Guanacaste | 297,793 |
The complete dataset is available as a free CSV download, with attribution to Stefan Helders / World Gazetteer.