Santa Clara, Panama

Full City Profile

1,360 Population 34/sq mi density

3,999 ft Elevation 1,219 meters

62°F Avg Temperature 17°C

Santa Clara enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 61°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 149 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 114.3 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

61°F Jan (16°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	62.4°F
	16% above US avg
January Average	61°F (16°C)
July Average	63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	149 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,999 ft (1,219 m)
Area	39.9 sq mi (103.4 km²)
Population Density	34/sq mi
Coordinates	8.8348°N, 82.7819°W
Timezone	America/Panama

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 114.3"

201% above US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Oct) 19.53"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.72"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

789 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M7.6. Most recent: M4.3 on Jul 6, 2025.

Apr 22, 1991	34 km S of Limón, Costa Rica	M7.6	100 km
Jul 31, 2002	14 km SE of Punta de Burica, Panama	M6.5	101 km
Jun 16, 2002	55 km WSW of Ciudad Cortés, Costa Rica	M6.4	133 km
Apr 28, 1990	8 km SSE of Ciudad Cortés, Costa Rica	M6.4	79 km
Apr 4, 2023	73 km S of Boca Chica, Panama	M6.3	149 km
Apr 24, 1991	16 km SE of La Suiza, Costa Rica	M6.2	129 km
May 4, 1991	16 km NE of Changuinola, Panama	M6.2	88 km
Jun 26, 2019	4 km SE of Aserrío de Gariché, Panama	M6.2	42 km
Apr 1, 1997	53 km SSW of Boca Chica, Panama	M6.1	125 km
Aug 25, 2001	45 km SSE of Punta de Burica, Panama	M6.1	134 km
Nov 9, 2001	33 km NE of Changuinola, Panama	M6.1	104 km
Feb 4, 2004	2 km S of Finca Blanco, Panama	M6.1	54 km
Aug 7, 2002	20 km S of Punta de Burica, Panama	M6.0	110 km
Apr 2, 2014	33 km SSW of Boca Chica, Panama	M6.0	111 km
May 12, 2019	1 km W of Breñón, Panama	M6.0	24 km
Jun 30, 2005	3 km W of Progreso, Panama	M5.9	44 km
Mar 11, 2009	15 km SW of Golfito, Costa Rica	M5.9	61 km
May 1, 2006	7 km NNW of Limones, Panama	M5.9	75 km
Mar 11, 2009	15 km SW of Golfito, Costa Rica	M5.9	60 km
Nov 17, 1998	41 km SSE of Punta de Burica, Panama	M5.9	130 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 3.

Year	Name	Category	Closest
2016	Otto	Category 3	241 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Tsunami History

9 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1991	LIMON, PANDORA	Earthquake	3.0 m	90	100 km
1916	BOCAS DEL TORO	Earthquake	1.3 m	—	121 km
1934	COSTA RICA-PANAMA	Earthquake	0.3 m	—	98 km
1941	COSTA RICA-PANAMA	Earthquake	0.2 m	6	48 km
1983	COSTA RICA	Earthquake	0.1 m	6	39 km
1941	COSTA RICA-PANAMA	Earthquake	0.1 m	—	139 km
1962	COSTA RICA-PANAMA	Earthquake	0.1 m	—	92 km
1854	COSTA RICA-PANAMA	Eruption + Earthquake	—	—	44 km
1822	MATINA	Earthquake	—	—	78 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Turrialba (171 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Turrialba	Stratovolcano	3,340 m (10,958 ft)	2019	171 km
Irazu	Stratovolcano	3,432 m (11,260 ft)	1994	173 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	61°F (16°C)	2.8 in
February	62°F (16°C)	2.7 in	Driest
March	63°F (17°C)	2.8 in
April	64°F (18°C)	5.5 in	Warmest
May	64°F (18°C)	13.0 in
June	63°F (17°C)	14.3 in
July	63°F (17°C)	9.9 in
August	63°F (17°C)	12.3 in
September	62°F (17°C)	15.0 in
October	62°F (17°C)	19.5 in	Wettest
November	61°F (16°C)	11.4 in
December	61°F (16°C)	5.2 in	Coldest

Santa Clara has a seasonal temperature swing of 3°F / from 61°F in December to 64°F in April. Total annual precipitation is 114.3 inches, with October being the wettest month (19.5") and February the driest (2.7").

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