Why visit
San José is the capital of Costa Rica. A practical starting point for museums, food, and onward routes into the country.
Costa Rica at a glance
Country center
10.0°, -84.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
51,100 km²
19,730 mi²
Country population
5.2 million
101/km²
Subregion
Central America
Currency
Costa Rican colón (₡)
CRC
Dial
+506
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Costa Rican
Internet
.cr
UN
Member state
ISO code
CR / CRI
Where in the world
10.0° · -84.0°
Costa Rica
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Did you know
- Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948: one of a handful of countries with no standing military.
- The country is 0.03% of the world's land but contains ~5% of its biodiversity.
- Costa Ricans call themselves "Ticos": from their habit of using -ico diminutives.
- 25% of Costa Rica's land is protected national park or reserve.
Bordering Costa Rica
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Frequently asked about San José
What currency is used in San José?
San José uses the Costa Rican colón (₡), ISO code CRC.
What languages are spoken in Costa Rica?
The primary language is Spanish.
What is the international calling code for Costa Rica?
The calling code is +506.
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