Poverty and living standards in Guanacaste, Costa Rica: official figures
The Judicial Investigation Organism handled 74 intentional homicides in Guanacaste in 2024 and 101 in 2023, 8.4% of the national 879 in 2024.
What is the homicide rate in Guanacaste?
Guanacaste's 2024 homicide rate was 18.0 per 100,000 residents, 3rd highest of 7 and against 17.0 for Costa Rica.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyIs crime rising in Guanacaste?
The number of homicides in Guanacaste fell from 101 in 2023 to 74 in 2024 (-27); nationally they went from 906 to 879.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Guanacaste?
35 suicides were handled by the Judicial Investigation Organism in Guanacaste in 2024 (35 in 2023), 8.5 per 100,000 residents, 4th highest of 7 (national 7.7).
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyHow many violent deaths are there in Guanacaste?
Homicides and suicides together came to 109 violent deaths in Guanacaste in 2024, or 26.6 per 100,000 residents; 32% were suicides.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyIs Guanacaste more violent than the rest of Costa Rica?
Guanacaste accounted for 8.4% of Costa Rica's homicides and 7.9% of its population in 2024, so its share of homicides is higher than its share of residents.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyHow Guanacaste compares with other provinces
Homicide rate (2024)
Guanacaste ranks 3 of 7, highest first. Intentional homicides per 100,000 residents
| Rank | Region | Homicide rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Limon | 39.9 |
| 2 | Puntarenas | 30.7 |
| 3 | Guanacaste | 18.0 |
| 4 | San Jose | 15.1 |
| 5 | Cartago | 14.1 |
| 6 | Alajuela | 9.9 |
| 7 | Heredia | 7.2 |
Suicide rate (2024)
Guanacaste ranks 4 of 7, highest first. Suicides per 100,000 residents
| Rank | Region | Suicide rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puntarenas | 9.2 |
| 2 | Alajuela | 8.8 |
| 3 | Cartago | 8.6 |
| 4 | Guanacaste | 8.5 |
| 5 | Limon | 7.7 |
| 6 | Heredia | 6.6 |
| 7 | San Jose | 6.3 |
Homicides (2024)
Guanacaste ranks 6 of 7, highest first. Number of cases handled
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyMore on Guanacaste: overview · economy and jobs · health · Costa Rica
Sources
- INEC Costa Rica: Anuario Estadistico 2023-2024, Social: tables 12.6 and 12.7 (homicides and suicides, Poder Judicial) and 12.28 (district Social Development Index 2023, Mideplan), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e8115b94fa09…)
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