Capital city, Costa Rica
Air quality in San José
Very polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in San José was 29 µg/m³ in 2020, about 5.8 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Traffic fumes in the center on dry-season days; Poás volcanic ash can drift in during occasional activity.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 29 µg/m³ yearly average (2020). Measured at San José.
- PM10: 22 µg/m³ (2020).
- Recent average: 25.5 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2015 |
Quick answers
Is the air in San José bad?
Very polluted: 29 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 5.8× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in San José?
Traffic fumes in the center on dry-season days; Poás volcanic ash can drift in during occasional activity.
How does San José compare with the rest of Costa Rica?
People in Costa Rica breathe 18 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 29 µg/m³ measured here.
More about San José
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT)
- Costa Rica Social Security (CCSS)
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.