Trek Zone

Country Facts:
Costa Rica vs. United States

Learn about the similarities and differences between Costa Rica and United States by reviewing data on key indicators such as population, economy, energy, religion, language and many other relevant factors.

Country #1
Country #2

Geography

Costa Rica vs. United States - comparison of geographical features.

Country area

The surface area of Costa Rica is 19 730 mi², while the surface area of United States is 3 678 190 mi². This means that the area of United States is 18543% larger.

Statistics: Countries of the World Compared by Area
19 730 mi²
3 678 190 mi²

Coastline length

Costa Rica has a coastline of 801.6 mi, while United States has a coastline of 12 380.2 mi.

801.6 mi
12 380.2 mi

Largest city

The largest city in Costa Rica is San José, with a population of about 1 188 020 people. In contrast, the largest city in the United States is New York City, where the population is 8 491 080.

1 188 020 ppl
8 491 080 ppl

Highest peak

The highest peak in Costa Rica is Cerro Chirripó, its height is 12 533 ft. The highest peak in the United States is Denali (McKinley), which rises to a height of 20 308 ft.

12 533 ft
Cerro Chirripó
20 308 ft
Denali (McKinley)

Highest recorded temperature

-
134.1°F
Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley, California

Lowest recorded temperature

-
-79.6°F
Prospect Creek, Alaska

Society

Costa Rica vs. United States - comparison of aspects of social life.

Population

The population of Costa Rica is about 5 094 118, while United States is home to 331 002 651 people.

Statistics: World Population by Country
5 094 118 ppl
331 002 651 ppl

Life expectancy

Life expectancy is 79.4 years in Costa Rica and 80.4 years in the United States.

79.4 years
80.4 years

Average age

The average age is 32.6 years in Costa Rica and 38.5 years in the United States.

32.6 years
38.5 years

Birthrate

The birth rate is 1.04% in Costa Rica and 0.7% in the United States.

1.04%
0.7%

Literacy

Literacy is 97.9% in Costa Rica and 99.0% in the United States.

97.9%
99.0%

Language

In Costa Rica, the main language is Spanish, and in the United States the primary language is English.

spanish
english

Religion

In Costa Rica, the main religion is Christianity; in the United States, the main religion is Christianity.

christianity
christianity

Tourism

Foreign tourists in 2015

-
77 510 000 ppl
Ranking: 167/179

Economy

GDP per capita

Costa Rica: 21 143 Int$. United States: 63 414 Int$.

21 143 Int$
Ranking: 40/194
63 414 Int$
Ranking: 182/194

Currency

Costa Rica: Costa Rican Colon (CRC). United States: US Dollar (USD).

Tools: Currency Calculator
CRC
Costa Rican Colon
USD
US Dollar

Practical information

Electricity

Electricity in Costa Rica: frequency and voltage are 120V 60 Hz (plug type: A, B). Electricity in the United States: frequency and voltage are 120V 60 Hz (plug type: A, B).

120V 60 Hz
Plug type: A, B
120V 60 Hz
Plug type: A, B

Driving side

Costa Rica has right-hand traffic, United States has right-hand traffic.

right-hand traffic
right-hand traffic

Useful when traveling

USDEURCRC

Best months to visit

The best months in terms of weather are: Costa Rica - January, February, March, April; United States - June, July, August.

Traveler's essential: Tourist Season Around the World

Safety level

Scale from 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe)
Traveler's essential: Travel Safety Map
Exercise a high degree of caution
Level 2
Exercise normal safety precautions
Level 1

Visa requirements

For citizens of United States (Settings → Your Country)
Traveler's essential: With or Without a Visa?
Visa not required
A visa is not required.
Your country

Expected daily budget for 1 person

B - backpacker's budget 1
T - tourist's budget 3
B44 USD - 56 USD
T125 USD - 156 USD
B87 USD - 112 USD
T189 USD - 264 USD

Countries Frequently Compared
(Country Facts)