Limón vs Alajuela
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Limón leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Alajuela where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Alajuela's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Limón | Alajuela |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 62 | 69 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 51 | 52 |
| Climate | 83 | 100 |
| Safety | 56 | 59 |
| Summer °C | 27.4 | 20.9 |
| Winter °C | 25.3 | 19.0 |
| Top disaster risk | earthquake | earthquake |
Limón vs Alajuela: the short answer
Alajuela comes out ahead on overall livability (69/100), modestly above Limón (62/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Alajuela is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Limón 51 vs Alajuela 52, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Limón runs warmer in summer (about 27.4°C peak vs 20.9°C in Alajuela), while winter lows sit near 25.3°C in Limón and 19.0°C in Alajuela. On natural-disaster exposure Alajuela is the safer choice (safety 59/100); the dominant modelled hazard is earthquake for Limón and earthquake for Alajuela.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Alajuela — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Limón — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Alajuela — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Alajuela — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Limón or Alajuela better to live in?
Alajuela scores higher overall — 69 vs 62 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Limón or Alajuela?
Alajuela has the lower cost of living (cost index 52 vs 51; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Limón or Alajuela?
Limón — summer highs reach about 27.4°C versus 20.9°C in Alajuela.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Limón or Alajuela?
Alajuela (disaster-safety 59/100). Main hazard: earthquake in Limón, earthquake in Alajuela.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Limón?
earthquake is the dominant modelled hazard for Limón on our risk index.
How is the Limón vs Alajuela comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.