Costa Rica
Republic of Costa Rica
People: Costa Rican
Costa Rica is located in Central America and has a population of around 5.3 million. Its capital city is San José, and the most widely spoken official language is Spanish.
By the numbers, Costa Rica is the 124th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.07% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 126th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 104 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Costa Rica — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Republic of Costa Rica |
|---|---|
| Capital City | San José |
| Continent | North America |
| Region | Central America |
| Population | 5,309,625 |
| Area | 51,100 km² |
| Currency | Costa Rican colón (CRC) ₡ |
| Official Language | Spanish |
| Dialling Code | +506 |
| Internet TLD | .cr |
| Timezone | UTC-06:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) |
| ISO Code | CR / CRI |
| Borders | Nicaragua, Panama |
Travelling to Costa Rica?
Heading there soon? A guide to what to pack for Costa Rica makes sure the essentials are covered. Pack a universal travel adapter for your devices. You can also check clothing and shoe sizes in Costa Rica before you shop, and look up popular foods from Costa Rica if you want to know what's on the menu.
Leaving your car at a UK airport? Compare off-airport parking with Airparks before you fly to Costa Rica. Thinking about staying longer? Some travellers fund extended trips by teaching English abroad with a TEFL certificate.
Getting to and around Costa Rica
This site is a member of the CJ Affiliate and AWIN affiliate networks. We earn commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Book a Rental Car with Carla — Pay at Pickup
Compare car hire prices for Costa Rica — reserve with no upfront payment via Carla.
Search Cheap Flights to Costa Rica
Find and book cheap airfare with flexible dates and hundreds of airlines.
Planning a trip to Costa Rica?
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We are also a member of the CJ Affiliate and AWIN affiliate networks. Links below are affiliate links.
Protect Your Devices on Public Wifi
Hotel and airport wifi in Costa Rica carries real risk — a VPN keeps your logins and card details private on any network.
Frequently Asked Questions about Costa Rica
What is the capital and currency of Costa Rica?
The capital of Costa Rica is San José and the currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC), symbol ₡.
What is the capital of Costa Rica?
The capital of Costa Rica is San José.
What currency does Costa Rica use?
Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colón (CRC, symbol: ₡).
What language do they speak in Costa Rica?
The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Costa Rica?
The international dialling code for Costa Rica is +506.
What side of the road does Costa Rica drive on?
Costa Rica drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Nicaragua
PanamaThis page contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Last updated: