Most Dense in Costa Rica

Top 79 cities ranked by most dense

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Costa Rica

Most Dense — Costa Rica

1 San Rafael Abajo 08 35,153/mi²

2 Guadalupe 08 28,266/mi²

3 Ipís 08 27,494/mi²

4 Alajuelita 08 26,625/mi²

5 Purral 08 25,891/mi²

6 San Josecito 04 23,452/mi²

7 Calle Blancos 08 22,758/mi²

8 San Francisco 04 22,104/mi²

9 San Ramón 01 21,969/mi²

10 Colima 08 20,353/mi²

11 Heredia 04 19,952/mi²

12 San José 08 19,443/mi²

13 Sabanilla 08 19,204/mi²

14 San Juan 08 19,152/mi²

15 Santo Domingo 04 19,150/mi²

16 San Rafael 04 17,426/mi²

17 Cartago 02 17,047/mi²

18 San Vicente de Moravia 08 16,561/mi²

19 Mercedes Norte 04 16,254/mi²

20 San Pedro 08 15,015/mi²

21 Curridabat 08 14,532/mi²

22 San Juan de Dios 08 14,063/mi²

23 Chacarita 07 13,871/mi²

24 San Felipe 08 12,619/mi²

25 San Vicente 08 12,526/mi²

26 San Rafael Arriba 08 12,041/mi²

27 Tres Ríos 02 11,852/mi²

28 Concepción 02 9,589/mi²

29 Granadilla 08 9,326/mi²

30 Llorente 04 9,203/mi²

31 San Antonio 04 7,984/mi²

32 San Pablo 04 7,197/mi²

33 Escazú 08 6,898/mi²

34 Paraíso 02 5,624/mi²

35 San Diego 02 5,446/mi²

36 Alajuela 01 5,397/mi²

37 San Rafael 08 5,052/mi²

38 Aserrí 08 4,393/mi²

39 Patarrá 08 3,912/mi²

40 Santa Ana 08 3,823/mi²

41 San Miguel 08 3,498/mi²

42 Limón 06 2,761/mi²

43 Esparza 07 2,134/mi²

44 Naranjo 01 2,051/mi²

45 Puntarenas 07 1,946/mi²

46 Sarchí 01 1,437/mi²

47 Turrialba 02 1,325/mi²

48 Cot 02 1,182/mi²

49 Atenas 01 1,157/mi²

50 Salitrillos 08 848/mi²

51 Tejar 08 769/mi²

52 Orotina 01 737/mi²

53 Colón 08 629/mi²

54 Santiago 08 622/mi²

55 Desamparados 01 540/mi²

56 Quesada 01 493/mi²

57 San Isidro 08 471/mi²

58 Sabalito 07 459/mi²

59 Daniel Flores 08 406/mi²

60 San José 01 285/mi²

61 Cañas 03 272/mi²

62 San Juan 01 267/mi²

63 Siquirres 06 256/mi²

64 Río Segundo 01 238/mi²

65 Liberia 03 209/mi²

66 Cariari 06 180/mi²

67 Miramar 07 153/mi²

68 Guápiles 06 138/mi²

69 Tamarindo 03 131/mi²

70 Nicoya 03 128/mi²

71 Santa Cruz 03 110/mi²

72 Guácimo 06 81/mi²

73 Mercedes 08 78/mi²

74 Corredor 07 67/mi²

75 Tilarán 03 66/mi²

76 Buenos Aires 07 55/mi²

77 Golfito 07 49/mi²

78 Quepos 07 49/mi²

79 Pocora 06 46/mi²

The most densely populated cities in Costa Rica pack the most residents per square mile, creating vibrant urban environments with walkable neighborhoods and extensive public transit. San Rafael Abajo leads with 35,153 people per square mile.

High population density is often associated with better access to public transportation, more walkable streets, and a wider variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options within close proximity. These cities tend to have lower car ownership rates and shorter commute distances.

Dense cities face unique challenges including higher housing costs, limited parking, and potential overcrowding in public spaces. However, they also tend to have lower per-capita carbon footprints due to shared infrastructure and reduced driving.

Did You Know?

1. San Rafael Abajo has 35,153 people per square mile — that's roughly 55 people per acre.
2. Dense cities tend to have the most walkable neighborhoods and lowest car ownership rates in the country.
3. Urban density can reduce per-capita carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to suburban sprawl.

Browse Rankings by Region

Costa Rica — By Region

Alajuela Province Cartago Province Guanacaste Province Heredia Province Limón Province Puntarenas Province San José

By Country

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Belarus Belgium Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czechia Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Guadeloupe Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Malta Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Moldova Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nepal New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand The Netherlands Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe