# San Rafael District, Alajuela Canton, Alajuela Province

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/alajuela/san-rafael/

District · Alajuela Canton 

# San Rafael

San Rafael is a district of Costa Rica in Alajuela Canton, Alajuela Province. It had an estimated **33,733 people** in 2021 on 19 km² (about 1,744 per km²). 16 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 100 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 33,733people (2021)
- 19.3km²
- 100mapped services
- 842 mtypical elevation

## How many people live in San Rafael?

San Rafael had an estimated **33,733 people** in 2021 — 10.6% of Alajuela Canton, 24th of 472 districts. There are 971 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Alajuela Canton figure of 973). Spread over 19 km², that is about **1,744 people per km²**, 100th of 472 districts.

21.2% of people are children under 15 and 9.4% are 65 or older; the median age is about 33 years (it is 34 across Alajuela Canton). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 44 children and older people.

0–4 ****2,295**

5–9 ****2,462**

10–14 ****2,394**

15–19 ****2,339**

20–24 ****2,588**

25–29 ****2,767**

30–34 ****3,023**

35–39 ****2,854**

40–44 ****2,433**

45–49 ****2,044**

50–54 ****1,924**

55–59 ****1,856**

60–64 ****1,596**

65–69 ****1,229**

70–74 ****805**

75+ ****1,124**

Source: [Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, population 2021 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-cri).

## Where is San Rafael?

San Rafael lies in [Alajuela Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/alajuela/), [Alajuela Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/), [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 8 other districts: [Brasil](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/santa-ana/brasil/), [Colón](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/mora/colon/), [Guácima](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/alajuela/guacima/), [La Ribera](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/heredia/belen/la-ribera/), [Pozos](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/santa-ana/pozos/), [Río Segundo](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/alajuela/rio-segundo/), [San Antonio](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/heredia/belen/san-antonio/) and [San Rafael](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/escazu/san-rafael/). By area it is the 300th largest of 492 districts in Costa Rica. It covers 4.9% of [Alajuela Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/alajuela/). The centre of San Rafael is about 16 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. It is about 6.7 km from Alajuela, the main town of Alajuela Canton. The centre point is at 9.9594° N, 84.2290° W.

Source: [Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-cri).

## Things to see in and around San Rafael

### Nearby, outside San Rafael

- La Planta Brewpub · attraction, Colón3.0 km
- Antigua Granja Yema Dorada · ruins, Guácima3.1 km
- Antigua Estación Ciruelas · ruins, San Antonio3.8 km
- Antiguo Hospital Iberoamericano · ruins, Pozos3.8 km
- Piedra del Indio · viewpoint, Piedades4.0 km
- Bus · attraction, Colón4.2 km
- Parque Natural Urbano Lorne Ross · nature reserve, Uruca4.3 km
- Proyecto abandonado Condominio Don Carlo · ruins, Guácima4.6 km
- Proyecto condominal abandonado · ruins, La Ribera5.0 km
- Puente de Hierro · attraction, Guácima5.2 km
- Juan Santamaría Rodríguez · monument, Río Segundo5.3 km
- Monumento al Agricultor · monument, Río Segundo5.6 km

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: San Rafael

- Time zoneUTC−6, no daylight saving · America/Costa_Rica
- CurrencyColon (CRC)
- Country calling code+506
- LanguagesSpanish, English
- Plug typesType A, B · 120 V
- Driving sideRight
- Postcode format5 digits (#####)

### Nearest airports

- Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · San José (Alajuela)4.4 km
- Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) · San Jose9.8 km

### Nearest railway station

Ojo de Agua (San Rafael), about 1.6 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.7 hours, sunrise around 05:15) and shortest in Dec (about 11.5 hours, sunrise around 05:45, sunset around 17:18).

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Villages and localities in San Rafael

Open gazetteers list **16 villages, towns and localities** in San Rafael. Settlements here lie between about 826 m and 882 m above sea level (median 842 m).

- Bosque Real
- Cañada
- Corazón de Jesús
- Guacalillo
- La Cañada
- La Paz
- Las Abras
- Lourdes
- Mojón de Calicanto
- Nazareth
- Ojo de Agua
- Paires
- Perla
- Potrerillos
- Rincón Venegas
- Villa Rosario

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of San Rafael

Named natural and historic features inside San Rafael, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

5 rivers and streams.

- Quebrada Los Machos
- Quebrada Mercedes
- Quebrada Seca
- Río Bermúdez
- Río La Fuente

### Getting around

1 bridge.

- Puente Mulas

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in San Rafael and the best time to visit

Using the climate of Alajuela Canton, the warmest month is Apr (average 25 °C) and the coolest is Dec (22 °C). About 1,793 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Oct (301 mm) and the driest Feb (22 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **December to April**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 23 38 

Feb 24 22 

Mar 25 29 

Apr 25 76 

May 24 220 

Jun 24 209 

Jul 23 184 

Aug 23 198 

Sep 23 256 

Oct 23 301 

Nov 22 188 

Dec 22 70 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Nearest hospital, bank and fuel from San Rafael

Need Nearest mapped Distance 

Hospital Clinica San Rafael, Alajuela · San Rafael 2.4 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.97407&mlon=-84.21264#map=17/9.97407/-84.21264) 

Bank National Bank · San Rafael 1.4 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.97040&mlon=-84.22360#map=17/9.97040/-84.22360) 

ATM BCR · Guácima 2.9 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.96139&mlon=-84.25580#map=17/9.96139/-84.25580) 

Petrol pump Estación de Servicio San Rafael · San Rafael 1.4 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.97030&mlon=-84.22223#map=17/9.97030/-84.22223) 

Hotel Healthy Day Inn · San Rafael 1.6 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.97046&mlon=-84.22023#map=17/9.97046/-84.22023) 

Mall Centro Comercial Campo Real · San Rafael 0.9 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.95220&mlon=-84.23181#map=17/9.95220/-84.23181) 

School Preescolar Sara Faith · San Rafael 1.0 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.96781&mlon=-84.23330#map=17/9.96781/-84.23330) 

College UNED - Centro Universitario La Reforma · San Rafael 1.0 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.96095&mlon=-84.22012#map=17/9.96095/-84.22012) 

Police station K-9 Alajuela · San Rafael 0.8 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.95212&mlon=-84.22879#map=17/9.95212/-84.22879) 

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Straight-line distance from the centre of the division, within 40 km.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in San Rafael

Places mapped inside San Rafael in open map data, by type.

- Hospitals2
- Banks1
- Petrol pumps3
- Hotels2
- Shopping malls4
- Schools14
- Colleges and universities2
- Pharmacies4
- Restaurants56
- Police stations2
- Dental clinics10

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Other districts in Alajuela Canton

- Alajuela
- Carrizal
- Desamparados
- Garita
- Guácima
- Río Segundo
- Sabanilla
- San Antonio
- San Isidro
- San José
- Sarapiquí
- Tambor
- Turrúcares

## Quick answers

- Where is San Rafael?In Alajuela Canton, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
- What is the population of San Rafael?33,733 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in San Rafael?About 33 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of San Rafael?About 1,744 people per km²
- What borders San Rafael?Brasil, Colón, Guácima, La Ribera, Pozos, Río Segundo, San Antonio and San Rafael
- What is there to see in San Rafael?La Planta Brewpub, Antigua Granja Yema Dorada, Antigua Estación Ciruelas, Antiguo Hospital Iberoamericano
- What time zone is San Rafael in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in San Rafael?Colon (CRC)
- What language is spoken in San Rafael?Spanish, English (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in San Rafael?16 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of San Rafael?Settlements lie between 826 m and 882 m
- What is the best time to visit San Rafael?December to April
- Where is the nearest hospital to San Rafael?Clinica San Rafael, Alajuela, about 2.4 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest bank to San Rafael?National Bank, about 1.4 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest ATM to San Rafael?BCR, about 2.9 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest petrol pump to San Rafael?Estación de Servicio San Rafael, about 1.4 km from the centre
- How many hospitals are in San Rafael?2 mapped
- How many banks are in San Rafael?1 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in San Rafael?3 mapped
- What is the P-code of San Rafael?CR20108 (OCHA common operational dataset)