Pura Osa
The canton at a glance
Figures were compared across several summaries and official statistics. Where they disagree we show a range or “about”, and we update this page when better data appears.
A big, thinly settled canton
With about 1,930 square kilometers, Osa is one of the biggest cantons in the country, but with roughly 15 people per square kilometer it is also one of the emptiest. Most people live along the Pacific lowlands around Palmar, Puerto Cortés and Sierpe, along Costa Ballena, and in smaller villages inland. When the canton was created in 1914 it covered about 7,600 km², roughly 15% of Costa Rica, and it was split in 1940 to reach roughly its present size. Read the history.
Six districts, by population
| District | People (2022, approx.) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Palmar | 8,853 | 30% |
| Puerto Cortés (seat) | 8,494 | 29% |
| Piedras Blancas | 4,208 | 14% |
| Sierpe | 3,515 | 12% |
| Bahía Ballena (Uvita) | 3,318 | 11% |
| Bahía Drake | 1,130 | 4% |
District figures are the official 2022 estimates and add up to about 29,500. Palmar and Puerto Cortés together hold close to six in ten residents; Bahía Drake, the most remote, has about one in twenty-five.
Who lives here, and how
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Foreign-born residents (2011) | About 4% |
| Urban population (2011) | About 38% |
| Literacy rate (2011) | About 95% |
| Average schooling (2011) | About 6.8 years |
| Occupied homes (2011) | About 8,900 |
In the 2011 census, about 59 in 100 working people were in services, which in Osa mostly means tourism, commerce and public services; about 28 in 100 worked in farming and related activities; and about 13 in 100 in industry and construction. The mix is moving toward tourism and conservation jobs, but farming, cattle, palm oil and rice still shape much of the lowlands. Regenerative travel in Osa.
Dates that matter
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1914 | Canton created (Law 31, June 26), about 7,600 km². |
| 1940 | Buenos Aires separates; Puerto Cortés becomes the seat. |
| 1957 | Puerto Cortés is declared a city. |
| 2005 | The Festival de las Esferas begins. |
| 2014 | UNESCO recognizes the stone-sphere sites of the Diquís. |
Go deeper
History of Osa · Interactive map · All destinations · Corcovado in numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the canton of Osa?
The canton covers about 1,930 square kilometers, the second-largest in the province of Puntarenas and one of the biggest in the country. When it was created in 1914 it was far larger, about 7,600 km², roughly 15% of Costa Rica.
How many people live in Osa?
The 2011 census counted 29,433 people. The official 2022 estimate by district adds up to about 29,500, so the population has been roughly stable. Other websites quote higher 2022 figures; we use the one that matches the district breakdown.
Which are the six districts of Osa?
Puerto Cortés (the seat), Palmar, Sierpe, Bahía Ballena, Piedras Blancas and Bahía Drake. Palmar and Puerto Cortés together hold close to six in ten residents.
Is Puerto Jiménez part of the canton of Osa?
No. Puerto Jiménez and the southern peninsula belong to the neighboring canton of Golfito. Tourists often say “Osa” for the whole region, which is how we use it on this site; the canton figures on this page cover only the six districts above.
What do people in Osa do for a living?
In the 2011 census about six in ten working people were in services (tourism, commerce, public services), roughly three in ten in farming and related activities, and about one in eight in industry and construction.
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