Your clock is synced to your browser settings.
Time in Costa Rica now
Current Time in Central American Countries (7 Nations)
What Time Is It in Costa Rica Right Now With Seconds
Costa Rica follows Central Standard Time (CST), UTC−6 throughout the entire year. The country does not observe Daylight Saving Time, meaning the time remains constant in all seasons. Businesses, tourism, airports, and cities nationwide use the same local time.
Costa Rica Time Zone Information
Time zone name: Central Standard Time (CST)
Number of time zones in the country: 1
Standard UTC offset: UTC−06:00
DST (Daylight Saving Time): Not observed (no clock changes since 1992)
IANA time zone ID: America/Costa_Rica
Region: Central America (part of the wider Central Time Zone group)
Capital city time: San José follows CST (UTC−6) all year.
- More Info: Time in Costa Rica
- Location: Costa Rica Time in Google Maps.
Major Cities in Costa Rica & Their Time
| City | Time Zone | Typical Offset |
|---|---|---|
| San José | CST | UTC−06:00 |
| Alajuela | CST | UTC−06:00 |
| Cartago | CST | UTC−06:00 |
| Liberia | CST | UTC−06:00 |
| Limón | CST | UTC−06:00 |
All major cities in Costa Rica share the same national time zone with no regional differences.
Pros and Cons
Pros
One nationwide time — simple, no confusion
No DST — no seasonal clock change
Easy for travel and business scheduling
Cons
No DST may result in earlier sunsets seasonally
Hour differences with other regions may affect coordination
Frequently Asked Questions
What time zone does Costa Rica use?
Costa Rica uses Central Standard Time (CST), with a fixed offset of UTC−6 all year.
Does Costa Rica have Daylight Saving Time?
No. Costa Rica does not observe Daylight Saving Time and has stayed on UTC−6 year-round since 1992.
How many time zones are there in Costa Rica?
There is only one time zone for the entire country, so all regions share the same local time.
What is the IANA time zone ID for Costa Rica?
The IANA time zone ID for Costa Rica is America/Costa_Rica.
Which countries share the same UTC offset as Costa Rica?
Other countries that use UTC−6 year-round include Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (Central America Time Zone).