Poverty and living standards in Puntarenas, Costa Rica: official figures
The Judicial Investigation Organism handled 154 intentional homicides in Puntarenas in 2024 and 150 in 2023, 17.5% of the national 879 in 2024.
What is the homicide rate in Puntarenas?
Puntarenas's 2024 homicide rate was 30.7 per 100,000 residents, 2nd highest of 7 and against 17.0 for Costa Rica.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyIs crime rising in Puntarenas?
The number of homicides in Puntarenas rose from 150 in 2023 to 154 in 2024 (+4); nationally they went from 906 to 879.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Puntarenas?
46 suicides were handled by the Judicial Investigation Organism in Puntarenas in 2024 (52 in 2023), 9.2 per 100,000 residents, the highest of 7 (national 7.7).
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyHow many violent deaths are there in Puntarenas?
Homicides and suicides together came to 200 violent deaths in Puntarenas in 2024, or 39.8 per 100,000 residents; 23% were suicides.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyIs Puntarenas more violent than the rest of Costa Rica?
Puntarenas accounted for 17.5% of Costa Rica's homicides and 9.7% of its population in 2024, so its share of homicides is higher than its share of residents.
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyHow Puntarenas compares with other provinces
Homicide rate (2024)
Puntarenas ranks 2 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)
Puntarenas ranks 1 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)
Puntarenas ranks 3 of 7, highest first. Number of cases handled
Source: INEC Costa Rica · saved copyMore on Puntarenas: 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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