Costa Rica is in Central America, between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the southeast. It has coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and sits about 10 degrees north of the equator. At roughly 19,700 square miles, it’s slightly smaller than West Virginia.
This guide answers where is Costa Rica with a map, flight times from the U.S., its seven provinces and climate, and the quick facts travelers ask about most.
| Costa Rica | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Region | Central America, on the land bridge between North and South America |
| Borders | Nicaragua (north), Panama (southeast) |
| Coasts | Caribbean Sea (east), Pacific Ocean (west) |
| Size | About 51,100 sq km (19,700 sq miles) |
| Capital | San José, in the Central Valley |
| Population | About 5 million (2022 census) |
| Language and currency | Spanish; Costa Rican colón (U.S. dollars widely accepted) |
| Time zone | UTC-6, no daylight saving time |
| Main airports | San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) |
The map
Where Is Costa Rica on the Map?
Look for the narrow strip of land that connects Mexico to Colombia. Costa Rica sits near its southern end, with Nicaragua above it and Panama below. The country runs roughly northwest to southeast, so the Pacific coast faces west and southwest and the shorter Caribbean coast faces east.
Is Costa Rica in North America or South America?
Costa Rica is in Central America, which geographers usually count as the southern part of the North American continent. It is not in South America; Panama separates it from Colombia.
Is Costa Rica an island or part of the U.S.?
Neither. Costa Rica is an independent country on the mainland, not a Caribbean island, and it isn’t a U.S. territory. People sometimes mix it up with Puerto Rico, which is an island in the Caribbean and a U.S. territory more than 1,000 miles away. U.S. citizens need a valid passport to visit Costa Rica. See our passport tips for Costa Rica.
Getting there
How Far Is Costa Rica From the U.S.?
Costa Rica is close enough for a nonstop flight from many U.S. cities. Typical nonstop flight times:
- Miami or Fort Lauderdale: under 3 hours
- Houston: about 3.5 hours
- Dallas or Atlanta: about 4 hours
- New York or Los Angeles: about 5 to 6 hours
Most visitors fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Guanacaste. Our Costa Rica airport guide explains which one fits your trip.
Costa Rica stays on UTC-6 all year and doesn’t use daylight saving time. That matches U.S. Central Standard Time in winter. From March to November, Costa Rica is two hours behind the East Coast. Read more about Costa Rica time.
Geography
Costa Rica Geography: Coasts, Mountains and Volcanoes
For a small country, Costa Rica packs in a lot of terrain:
- Two coasts. The Pacific coastline runs about 630 miles (1,016 km), with the Nicoya and Osa peninsulas. The Caribbean coast is much shorter, about 130 miles (212 km).
- A mountain spine. Ranges run down the middle of the country, from the Cordillera de Guanacaste in the north to the Cordillera de Talamanca in the south. Cerro Chirripó, the highest peak, rises to 12,536 feet (3,821 meters).
- Volcanoes. Arenal, Poás, Irazú, Rincón de la Vieja and Turrialba are among the best known. See our guide to Costa Rica volcanoes.
- The Central Valley. Most people live in this upland basin around San José, at roughly 3,000 to 5,000 feet, where the weather stays mild all year.
- Cocos Island. Costa Rica’s most remote territory sits more than 300 miles out in the Pacific.
About a quarter of the country’s land is protected in national parks and reserves. Read how much of Costa Rica is protected and our guide to Costa Rica wildlife.
Regions
Costa Rica’s Seven Provinces
| Province | Where it is | What travelers go for |
|---|---|---|
| San José | Central Valley | The capital, museums and city base |
| Alajuela | Central Valley to the northern plains | SJO airport, Poás Volcano, Arenal and La Fortuna |
| Heredia | Central Valley to the northern lowlands | Coffee farms and Sarapiquí |
| Cartago | Eastern Central Valley | The old capital, Irazú Volcano and the Orosi Valley |
| Guanacaste | Northwest Pacific | Dry-season beaches, LIR airport and Rincón de la Vieja |
| Puntarenas | Most of the Pacific coast | Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and the Osa Peninsula |
| Limón | Caribbean coast | Tortuguero, Cahuita and Puerto Viejo |
Start with our guide to visiting San José or the history of Limón on the Caribbean side.
Weather
What Is the Climate Like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is tropical, so temperatures change more with elevation than with the calendar. The beaches are hot all year, and the Central Valley is mild. Instead of four seasons, there are two:
- Dry season (verano): roughly December through April on the Pacific side and in the Central Valley.
- Rainy season (invierno): roughly May through November, often with sunny mornings and afternoon showers.
The Caribbean coast follows its own pattern, and September and October are often among its drier months. Because the country sits close to the equator, daylight barely changes: expect sunrise around 5:30 a.m. and sunset around 5:30 to 6 p.m. year-round. See the best time to visit Costa Rica by region and what to do in the rainy season.
Quick facts
Quick Facts About Costa Rica
- No army. Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948. Read why Costa Rica has no army.
- Big biodiversity. The country covers about 0.03% of Earth’s surface but is home to an often-cited 5% of its known species, from sloths to the resplendent quetzal.
- Mostly renewable power. Costa Rica generated 98.6% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2025, mainly hydropower. Dry years can cut that sharply; it fell to about 86% during the 2024 drought.
- Ticos and pura vida. Costa Ricans call themselves Ticos, and “pura vida” works as a greeting, a thank-you and a general outlook.
- Coffee country. Coffee has been grown for export since the 1800s. Many homes still brew it with a chorreador, a wooden stand with a cloth filter. Learn more in our Costa Rica coffee guide.
- A Blue Zone. The Nicoya Peninsula is one of five regions identified as Blue Zones, known for long-lived residents. See our guide to the Nicoya Blue Zone.
- The name. Costa Rica means “rich coast.” Columbus reached its Caribbean coast in 1502, and a common explanation is that early Spanish explorers saw Indigenous people wearing gold.
FAQ
Where Is Costa Rica? FAQ
Where is Costa Rica located?
In Central America, between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the southeast, with the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Is Costa Rica in North America or South America?
Central America, which is usually counted as part of North America. It is not in South America.
What countries border Costa Rica?
Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the southeast.
Is Costa Rica an island?
No. Costa Rica is on the mainland of Central America. It is also not a U.S. territory, and it’s a different place from Puerto Rico.
How far is Costa Rica from Florida?
Nonstop flights from Miami or Fort Lauderdale take under 3 hours.
What time zone is Costa Rica in?
UTC-6 all year, with no daylight saving time. It matches U.S. Central Standard Time in winter and is two hours behind the East Coast from March to November.
What is the capital of Costa Rica?
San José, in the Central Valley near the middle of the country.
The short version
Costa Rica is in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama, with Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
It’s under 3 hours by air from South Florida and stays on UTC-6 all year.
Fly into SJO for most of the country or LIR for the Guanacaste beaches.