Top 5 Cantons of Limón Province

Costa Rica is divided into 7 provinces, 84 cantons (counties, each with its own municipality) and about 490 districts. Limón province has only 6 cantons, so although this article's title says 5, it covers all 6, in their official order. Areas and district lists come from the official 2025 territorial division published by Costa Rica's government.

Limón runs the length of the Caribbean coast, from the Nicaraguan border to Panama. Its Afro-Caribbean culture, its food and its rainfall pattern, with drier spells in February and March and again in September and October, set it apart from the rest of the country.

1. Limón

The canton of Limón holds the provincial capital, the country's main Caribbean port, which became a city in 1902. Its districts run from the city and the port of Moín inland to Valle La Estrella.

Area: about 1,769 km². Districts (4): Limón, Valle La Estrella, Río Blanco and Matama.

2. Pococí

Pococí was created in 1911. Its main town, Guápiles, is a commercial center on the highway from San José, and its huge Colorado district, in the north, includes Barra del Colorado and Tortuguero, famous for its canals and nesting sea turtles. Its newest district is La Colonia.

Area: about 2,224 km². Districts (7): Guápiles, Jiménez, Rita, Roxana, Cariari, Colorado and La Colonia.

3. Siquirres

Siquirres was also created in 1911. It's a low, hot, farming canton in the middle of the province, with banana and pineapple plantations. Its newest district is Reventazón.

Area: about 855 km². Districts (7): Siquirres, Pacuarito, Florida, Germania, El Cairo, Alegría and Reventazón.

4. Talamanca

Talamanca, created by a law that took effect in 1970, is the second-largest canton in the country, at about 2,790 km², after San Carlos. It runs from the southern Caribbean coast up into the Talamanca mountains, and includes the Bribri and Cabécar indigenous territories. Its Cahuita district takes in Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Playa Cocles, Punta Uva, Manzanillo and Punta Mona.

Area: about 2,792 km². Districts (4): Bratsi, Sixaola, Cahuita and Telire.

5. Matina

Matina was created in 1969, split from Limón. It lies along the coast north of the port, an area of banana and cacao farming.

Area: about 770 km². Districts (3): Matina, Batán and Carrandí.

6. Guácimo

Guácimo was created in 1971, split from Pococí, and is the province's newest canton. It sits on the highway between Guápiles and Siquirres.

Area: about 802 km². Districts (5): Guácimo, Mercedes, Pocora, Río Jiménez and Duacarí.

Yoga in the province

The Caribbean's yoga is concentrated in Talamanca, around Cahuita and Puerto Viejo. Samasati Nature Retreat is in the hills near Puerto Viejo, and The Goddess Garden is in Cahuita. Our guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica explains how the Caribbean differs from the Pacific.

Frequently asked questions

What is a canton in Costa Rica?

A canton is the level of local government below the province, roughly like a county, with its own elected municipality. Each canton is split into districts.

How many cantons does Limón province have?

6: Limón, Pococí, Siquirres, Talamanca, Matina and Guácimo.

Which canton is Puerto Viejo in?

Talamanca. Puerto Viejo is in the canton's Cahuita district, along with Cahuita, Cocles, Punta Uva and Manzanillo.

Which canton is Tortuguero in?

Pococí. Tortuguero is in the canton's large Colorado district.

[Updated on: 4 November 2026]