Cartago Population 2026
Cartago has a population of 26,594, making it the #18 biggest city in 🇨🇷 Costa Rica, located in Cartago Province. Roughly 0.5% of Costa Rica's population lives here. It is about 13× smaller than San José, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
26,594
Rank in Costa Rica
#18
Coordinates
9.86°N, 83.92°W
~1,440 m elevation · America/Costa_Rica
Distance to capital (San José)
20 km
12 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Cartago Province
Cities near Cartago
- Paraíso39,702 people · ~6 km away
- San Diego16,991 people · ~10 km away
- Patarrá23,983 people · ~13 km away
- Curridabat34,586 people · ~14 km away
- San Miguel28,827 people · ~16 km away
- San Pedro27,477 people · ~16 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Cartago?
Cartago has a population of 26,594 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #18 biggest city in Costa Rica.
What region is Cartago in?
Cartago is located in Cartago Province, Costa Rica.
Is Cartago the capital of Costa Rica?
No, the capital of Costa Rica is San José, about 20 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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