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List of Cities in Central America

Central America is a region located between North America and South America, consisting of seven countries that offer a diverse range of landscapes, cultures, and histories. In addition to its rich geographical and cultural diversity, Central America is home to bustling urban centers that contribute significantly to the region’s vibrancy.  These cities, characterized by a blend of historical significance and modern development, serve as focal points for commerce, culture, and innovation.

Among these, Guatemala City stands out as the largest metropolis, combining modernity with ancient Mayan heritage. San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, showcases a mix of colonial architecture and contemporary urban life. The scenic beauty of San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital, is complemented by its status as a hub for ecotourism and innovation. In Honduras, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are bustling urban centers contributing to the country’s economic activity. Panama City, with its iconic skyline and the strategic Panama Canal, is a global financial hub. 

Let’s look at the Top Cities and Capital of Central American countries

CountryCapitalMajor Cities       
BelizeBelmopanBelize City, San Ignacio, Orange Walk 
Costa RicaSan JoseSan Jose, Alajuela, Heredia 
El SalvadorSan SalvadorSan Salvador, Santa Ana, San Miguel 
GuatemalaGuatemala CityGuatemala City, Antigua Guatemala, Quetzaltenango 
HondurasTegucigalpaTegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba 
NicaraguaManaguaManagua, Granada, León
PanamaPanama CityPanama City, Colón, David

also read about Central America’s Population

Top Metro Areas by Population

Guatemala Metro Area is the largest Urban Area in Guatemala and has a population of over 3 million people. Panama City in Panama follows with around 2 million residents, while Tegucigalpa in Honduras is home to approximately 1.5 million people. San Jose in Tegucigalpa has a population of about 1.4 million, and the capital of El Salvador, San Salvador, has around 1.1 million residents.

Let’s have a look at the top 10 Metro Areas in Central America

RankCityCountryUrban Agglomeration Population
1Guatemala CityGuatemala3,036,000
2Panama CityPanama1,938,000
3TegucigalpaHonduras1,527,000
4San JoséCosta Rica1,441,000
5San SalvadorEl Salvador1,111,000
6ManaguaNicaragua1,083,000
7San Pedro SulaHonduras956,000
8Villa NuevaGuatemala564,686
9MixcoGuatemala495,079
10AlajuelaCosta Rica398,000

Our standings are based on the Metro/Urban population of the cities.

also read about top Cities in Brazil by population

Top Cities by Population

 

RankCityCountryCity Proper Population
1TegucigalpaHonduras1,190,230
2San SalvadorEl Salvador1,116,052
3ManaguaNicaragua1,039,290
4Guatemala CityGuatemala994,078
5San Pedro SulaHonduras742,118
6Villa NuevaGuatemala564,686
7MixcoGuatemala495,079
8Panama CityPanama468,843
9San JoséCosta Rica333,980
10SoyapangoEl Salvador280,435
11Santa AnaEl Salvador269,386
12San MiguelEl Salvador257,621
13CholomaHonduras242,973
14San Juan SacatepéquezGuatemala237,245
15LeónNicaragua204,985
16La CeibaHonduras204,140
17DavidPanama89,500
18AlajuelaCosta Rica89,227
19HerediaCosta Rica54,000
20Antiguo GuatemalaGuatemala34,900
Top Cities in Central America by Population 2024