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Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Puntarenas Province · Costa Rica
Puntarenas is a mid-size city in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica with a population of 35,650. Elevation: 3 ft (1 m). Average temperature: 79°F (26°C).
Data updated June 2026
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About Puntarenas
Puntarenas is a city in the Puntarenas Province, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. As the seat of the Municipality of Puntarenas canton, it is awarded the title of city, which comprises the Puntarenas, Chacarita and El Roble districts. As the city of the first canton of the province, it is the capital city of the Puntarenas Province as well, according to the Administrative divisions of Costa Rica.
People
Climate
| Population | 35,650 |
| Population Density | 1,946 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Coordinates | 9.9769°, -84.8379° |
| Timezone | America/Costa_Rica |
| Country | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica |
| State / Province | Puntarenas Province |
| Average Temperature | 79°F (26°C) |
| January Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 78.4 inches (1,992 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0 inches (0 cm) |
About Puntarenas
Puntarenas is a mid-size city in Costa Rica (Puntarenas Province) with a population of 35,650. The city sits at an elevation of 3 feet (1 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 79°F (26°C). Temperatures range from 79°F in January to 79°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 78.4 inches. The timezone is America/Costa_Rica.
Climate in Puntarenas
Puntarenas has an average annual temperature of 0°C (32°F). The hottest month is Jan (0°C), the coldest is Jan (0°C). Average annual precipitation is 0 mm.
Temperature
| Annual Average | 79.3°F |
| 47% above Costa Rica avg | |
| January Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 201 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Area | 18.3 sq mi (47.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,946/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 9.9769°N, 84.8379°W |
| Timezone | America/Costa_Rica |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
7 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.0 m (7 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1950 | COSTA RICA-NICARAGUA | Earthquake | 2.0 m | - | 115 km |
| 1990 | COSTA RICA | Earthquake | 1.0 m | - | 12 km |
| 2012 | COSTA RICA | Earthquake | 0.2 m | 2 | 54 km |
| 1952 | COSTA RICA-PANAMA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 43 km |
| 2019 | IRAZU VOLCANO | Explosion | - | - | 108 km |
| 1924 | COSTA RICA | Earthquake | - | - | 56 km |
| 1905 | GULF OF NICOYA | Earthquake | - | - | 22 km |
Nearby Volcanoes
11 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Arenal (56 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Arenal | Stratovolcano | 1,670 m (5,479 ft) | 2010 | 56 km |
| Platanar | Stratovolcano(es) | 2,267 m (7,438 ft) | Unknown | 63 km |
| Poas | Stratovolcano | 2,708 m (8,885 ft) | 2019 | 71 km |
| Tenorio | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,916 m (6,286 ft) | Unknown | 80 km |
| Barva | Complex | 2,906 m (9,534 ft) | -6050 | 83 km |
| Miravalles | Stratovolcano | 2,028 m (6,654 ft) | 1946 | 92 km |
| Irazu | Stratovolcano | 3,432 m (11,260 ft) | 1994 | 108 km |
| Rincon de la Vieja | Complex | 1,916 m (6,286 ft) | 2020 | 109 km |
| Turrialba | Stratovolcano | 3,340 m (10,958 ft) | 2019 | 117 km |
| Orosi | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,659 m (5,443 ft) | Unknown | 131 km |
| Concepcion | Stratovolcano | 1,700 m (5,577 ft) | 2011 | 194 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 79°F (26°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| February | 80°F (27°C) | 0.2 in | |
| March | 81°F (27°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 82°F (28°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 10.9 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 12.4 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 7.0 in | |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 10.0 in | |
| September | 78°F (26°C) | 15.2 in | Wettest |
| October | 78°F (26°C) | 14.3 in | |
| November | 78°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | Coldest |
| December | 78°F (26°C) | 0.6 in |
Puntarenas has a seasonal temperature swing of 4°F / from 78°F in November to 82°F in April. Total annual precipitation is 78.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (15.2") and January the driest (0.1").
Colleges & Universities in Puntarenas
| Institution | Type | Founded | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centro de Educación Comercial | College | - | , |
| Colegio Nuestra Señora de Sión | College | - | , |
| Escuela de Biología Marina - UNA | University | - | , |
| INA - Centro de Formación Puntarenas | University | - | , |
| INA - Centro Nacional Especializado Náutico Pesquero | College | - | , |
| INA - Unidad Regional Pacífico Central | College | - | , |
| Instituto Cosvic Puntarenas | College | - | , |
| Telesecundaria La Ceiba | College | - | , |
| UCR - Recinto Esparza | University | - | Visit → |
| UCR - Sede Arnoldo Ferreto Segura | University | - | Visit → |
| UCR - Sede Regional del Pacífico | University | - | , |
| UNA - Estación Nacional de Ciencias Marino Costeras | University | - | , |
| UNED - Centro Universitario Puntarenas | University | - | Visit → |
| Universidad de San José | University | - | , |
| Universidad Hispanoamericana | University | - | , |
| Universidad Metropolitana Castro Carazo | University | - | , |
| Universidad Santa Lucía | University | - | , |
| UTN - Sede Juan Rafael Mora Porras | University | - | Visit → |
| UTN - Sede Tobías Vargas | University | - | Visit → |
Schools in Puntarenas
8 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escuela El Carmen | - | - | - | - |
| Escuela Delia Urbina de Guevara | - | - | - | - |
| Escuela Mora y Cañas | - | - | - | - |
| Escuela Nuestra Señora de Sión | - | - | - | - |
| Liceo José Martí | - | - | - | - |
| Escuela Chapernal | - | - | - | - |
| Escuela Nora Quesada Chavarría | - | - | - | - |
| Escuela San Agustín | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Puntarenas
0 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality |
|---|
Museums in Puntarenas
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cárcel San Lucas | ||||
| Museo Histórico de la Ciudad de Puntarenas |
Libraries in Puntarenas
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biblioteca Pública | 0.0 | |||||
| Biblioteca Pública de Puntarenas | 0.0 | |||||
| Bilbioteca Sede Pacífico | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Puntarenas
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua Fábrica de Hielo Gutiérrez | |||||
| Mercado Municipal de Montes de Oro | |||||
| Mercado Municipal de Puntarenas | |||||
| Mini Market | |||||
| Super Los Angeles |
Hotels in Puntarenas
21 hotels within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Restaurants in Puntarenas
68 restaurants within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Puntarenas
7 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Theatres in Puntarenas
1 theatres within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Theme Parks in Puntarenas
1 theme parks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Clinics in Puntarenas
2 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Dentists in Puntarenas
2 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Bus Stations in Puntarenas
9 bus stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Puntarenas
3 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Banks in Puntarenas
12 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Puntarenas
2 shopping malls within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Gyms in Puntarenas
1 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data
Stadiums & Teams in Puntarenas
| Team | League | Division |
|---|---|---|
Airports Near Puntarenas
50 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport | LIR | Large Airport |
| Juan Santamaría International Airport | SJO | Large Airport |
| La Fortuna Arenal Airport | FON | Medium Airport |
| Quepos Managua Airport | XQP | Medium Airport |
| Tobías Bolaños International Airport | SYQ | Medium Airport |
| Aerodamas Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Agropecuaria Playa Caletas Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Altamira de San Carlos Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Aranjuez Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Boca Naranjo Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Carrizal Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Catsa Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Chacarita Airport | JAP | Small Airport |
| Ciruelas Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Cóbano Airport | ACO | Small Airport |
| Codela Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Coyolar Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Dole Venecia Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Dos Marías Airport | - | Small Airport |
| El Cerrito Airport | - | Small Airport |
| El Ron Ron Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Esterillos / Finca Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Flying Crocodile Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Frutez - Pital Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Guanacaste Airport | NCT | Small Airport |
| Guatuso Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Hacienda La Pacífica Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Hacienda Rio Cuarto Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Islita Airport | PBP | Small Airport |
| Jaco Airport | - | Small Airport |
| La Cueva Airport | - | Small Airport |
| La Flor Airport | - | Small Airport |
| La Guinea Airport | - | Small Airport |
| La Javilla Airport | - | Small Airport |
| La Ligia Airport | - | Small Airport |
| La Yolanda Airport | - | Small Airport |
| La Zampoña Airport | - | Small Airport |
| La Zopilota Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Las Piedras Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Mojica Airport | CSC | Small Airport |
| Monte Alto Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Monte Reina Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Palo Arco Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Pelon Nuevo Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Playa Pájaros Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Playa Samara/Carrillo Airport | PLD | Small Airport |
| Playon Sur Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Quebrada Azul Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Quebrada Naranjo Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Rancho Humo Airport | - | Small Airport |
Post Offices in Puntarenas
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Correos de Costa Rica - Puntarenas |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Puntarenas
8 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Catedral del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús | |
| Iglesia Cristiana | |
| iglesia Cristiana | |
| Iglesia Cristiana | |
| Iglesia de Las Playitas | |
| Iglesia de San Lucas | |
| Iglesia El Cocal | |
| Parroquia Nuestra Señora de El Carmen |
Explore Near Puntarenas
Quick Facts
🇨🇷 About Costa Rica
Public Holidays in Costa Rica
11 public holidays this year
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Puntarenas
What is the population of Puntarenas?
Puntarenas has a population of 35,650 residents and is located in Costa Rica. The population density is 1,946 people per square mile, spread across 18.3 square miles.
What is the weather like in Puntarenas?
Puntarenas has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 79°F (26°C). Winter temperatures average 79°F in January, while summers reach an average of 79°F in July. The area receives 201 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 78.4 inches.