One of the reasons I love Costa Rica, is that here by the beach, it’s not densely populated! The Playa Hermosa and Playa del Coco area have enough folks to give a sense of community but not enough to feel congested.
Costa Rica has a total population of 5.048 million people. Some studies believe that the country will never reach 6 million. The country is relatively small, only 19,700 square miles. The majority of the population is located in the Great Metropolitan Area or also known as the Central Valley. Within the Central Valley you have the capital of Costa Rica, which is San Jose. Over 60% of Ticos live in urban areas.
Here in Guanacaste, we have a population of approximately 400,000 people. Guanacaste is the most sparsely populated province in all of Costa Rica and it covers a total area of 10,141 km2 or 3,915 sq. mi. That’s only about 100 people for every square mile!
Even though the Guanacaste region is sparsely populated, you still have all the amenities & services! Out of the 400,000 people living in Guanacaste, 100,000 of those people live in Liberia. There is also the Guanacaste International Airport, hospitals, various shopping centers, restaurants, and more, all in Liberia.
By the beach towns you will also have plenty of stores to choose from, restaurants to eat at, and services to enjoy. There are dentists, mechanics, manicurists, veterinarians, etc. Playa Hermosa and Playa del Coco have all the amenities you need without being overcrowded. You will never have to stand in long lines or wait too long for an appointment. Each time you go to dinner, there will be a seat available.
In Playa Hermosa or Playa del Coco you will never have to worry about being stuck in a traffic jam. You may have to slow down for some goats or cows to cross the street but aside from that, the roads are clear! The beaches here have plenty of space. You will always have room to stretch out and relax. Even during the “high season”, the beaches never get too packed to enjoy.
Due to the smaller population of people, we have a very close knit community. You really get to know your neighbors. The community often comes together to clean up the town, collect trash on the beach, repaint local schools, and host a variety of fundraisers. The majority of towns all over Costa Rica have a strong sense of community.
The best way to get an idea of Costa Rica’s population density is to come and visit! You will be pleasantly surprised to find the perfect mix of urban and rural jungle living with all the amenities you could possibly need. But never any traffic or congestion!
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