The capital of Costa Rica is San José.
San José is Costa Rica’s political, economic, and transportation center. It lies in the country’s Central Valley at roughly 1,030 meters above sea level and also serves as the capital of San José Province. The city’s name honors Saint Joseph, or José in Spanish.
The settlement was founded in the 18th century and grew rapidly after the establishment of a tobacco factory in 1782. Tobacco production brought investment and workers, helping San José overtake older regional centers. In 1823, it became Costa Rica’s capital after independence-era political changes.
A common mistake is choosing nearby Cartago, which was Costa Rica’s colonial capital and remains historically important. San José is also distinct from San José Province: the city is one municipality within a larger province. The wider metropolitan area includes Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago.