# San Rafael District, La Unión Canton, Cartago Province

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/la-union/san-rafael/

District · La Unión Canton 

# San Rafael

San Rafael is a district of Costa Rica in La Unión Canton, Cartago Province. It had an estimated **16,121 people** in 2021 on 10 km² (about 1,695 per km²). 12 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 9 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 16,121people (2021)
- 9.5km²
- 9mapped services
- 1,395 mtypical elevation

## How many people live in San Rafael?

San Rafael had an estimated **16,121 people** in 2021 — 14.2% of La Unión Canton, 101st of 472 districts. There are 989 women for every 1,000 men (close to the La Unión Canton figure of 993). Spread over 10 km², that is about **1,695 people per km²**, 101st of 472 districts.

20.6% of people are children under 15 and 8.8% are 65 or older; the median age is about 33 years (it is 34 across La Unión Canton). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 42 children and older people.

0–4 ****1,086**

5–9 ****1,114**

10–14 ****1,125**

15–19 ****1,145**

20–24 ****1,291**

25–29 ****1,313**

30–34 ****1,448**

35–39 ****1,362**

40–44 ****1,161**

45–49 ****997**

50–54 ****965**

55–59 ****935**

60–64 ****757**

65–69 ****569**

70–74 ****365**

75+ ****488**

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 [La Unión Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/la-union/), [Cartago Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/), [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 6 other districts: [Dulce Nombre](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/la-union/dulce-nombre/), [Guadalupe o Arenilla](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/cartago/guadalupe-o-arenilla/), [Quebradilla](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/cartago/quebradilla/), [San Diego](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/la-union/san-diego/), [San Nicolás](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/cartago/san-nicolas/) and [Tres Ríos](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/la-union/tres-rios/). By area it is the 365th largest of 492 districts in Costa Rica. It covers 21.5% of [La Unión Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/la-union/). The centre of San Rafael is about 13 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. The centre point is at 9.9034° N, 83.9691° 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

OpenStreetMap lists 1 named sights in San Rafael: 1 memorial.

- Momnumento Las Fuentes del Padre Carazo · memorial

### Nearby, outside San Rafael

- Casa de la Cultura · gallery, Tres Ríos2.1 km
- Casa de la Juventud · gallery, Tres Ríos2.2 km
- Reserva Natural Protegida · nature reserve, Concepción3.4 km
- Corredor Biológico Río María Aguilar · nature reserve, Concepción3.4 km
- Casa Real Platino · gallery, Sánchez5.1 km
- Arte Blanco · gallery, Sánchez5.1 km
- Reserva Nacional Río Reventado · nature reserve, San Nicolás5.2 km
- Casa Patrimonio Nacional · monument, Mata de Plátano5.8 km
- Mirador de Rancho Redondo · viewpoint, Rancho Redondo6.4 km
- Mapa de Costa Rica · monument, Mata de Plátano6.7 km
- Club Social · monument, Oriental6.7 km
- Museo Municipal de Cartago · museum, Oriental6.7 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

- Tobías Bolaños International Airport (SYQ) · San Jose20 km
- Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · San José (Alajuela)28 km

### Nearest railway station

Ochomogo (San Nicolás), about 1.9 km from the centre.

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.7 hours, sunrise around 05:14) and shortest in Dec (about 11.6 hours, sunrise around 05:44, sunset around 17:17).

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 **12 villages, towns and localities** in San Rafael. Settlements here lie between about 1,356 m and 1,429 m above sea level (median 1,395 m).

- Carpintera
- El Fierro
- La Carpintera
- La Cruz
- La Isla
- Los Sauces
- Pila Rica
- Pinar del Río
- San Miguel
- San Rafael
- San Vicente
- Yerbabuena

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 Carpintera
- Quebrada Fierro
- Río Avance
- Río Chiquito
- Río Lovatripas

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 La Unión Canton, the warmest month is May (average 21 °C) and the coolest is Jan (19 °C). About 2,266 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Oct (285 mm) and the driest Feb (70 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **January to April**.

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

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 19 119 

Feb 19 70 

Mar 20 76 

Apr 21 117 

May 21 243 

Jun 21 239 

Jul 20 253 

Aug 21 214 

Sep 21 231 

Oct 20 285 

Nov 20 258 

Dec 20 162 

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 San Vicente De Tres Rios · San Rafael 0.8 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.90056&mlon=-83.97546#map=17/9.90056/-83.97546) 

Bank Banco Popular · Tres Ríos 1.9 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.90707&mlon=-83.98627#map=17/9.90707/-83.98627) 

ATM BAC Credomatic · Guadalupe o Arenilla 5.9 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.85472&mlon=-83.94761#map=17/9.85472/-83.94761) 

Petrol pump Servicentro Cristo Rey · San Nicolás 1.6 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.90186&mlon=-83.95469#map=17/9.90186/-83.95469) 

Hotel Villas Stephanie · San Ramón 5.1 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94087&mlon=-83.99616#map=17/9.94087/-83.99616) 

Mall Centro Comercial Calle Vieja · Tres Ríos 1.6 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.90734&mlon=-83.98304#map=17/9.90734/-83.98304) 

School Escuela Carolina Bellelli De Malavassi · San Rafael 0.7 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.90744&mlon=-83.97404#map=17/9.90744/-83.97404) 

College Escuela Social Juan XXIII - Centro de Eventos (Antiguo Seminario Menor) · San Rafael 1.7 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.91902&mlon=-83.96835#map=17/9.91902/-83.96835) 

Police station OIJ- Sub Delegación Regional La Unión · Tres Ríos 1.9 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.90753&mlon=-83.98613#map=17/9.90753/-83.98613) 

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.

- Hospitals1
- Schools4
- Colleges and universities1
- Restaurants3

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 La Unión Canton

- Concepción
- Dulce Nombre
- Río Azul
- San Diego
- San Juan
- San Ramón
- Tres Ríos

## Quick answers

- Where is San Rafael?In La Unión Canton, Cartago Province, Costa Rica
- What is the population of San Rafael?16,121 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in San Rafael?About 33 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of San Rafael?About 1,695 people per km²
- What borders San Rafael?Dulce Nombre, Guadalupe o Arenilla, Quebradilla, San Diego, San Nicolás and Tres Ríos
- What is there to see in San Rafael?Momnumento Las Fuentes del Padre Carazo
- 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?12 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of San Rafael?Settlements lie between 1,356 m and 1,429 m
- What is the best time to visit San Rafael?January to April
- Where is the nearest hospital to San Rafael?San Vicente De Tres Rios, about 0.8 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest bank to San Rafael?Banco Popular, about 1.9 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest ATM to San Rafael?BAC Credomatic, about 5.9 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest petrol pump to San Rafael?Servicentro Cristo Rey, about 1.6 km from the centre
- How many hospitals are in San Rafael?1 mapped
- What is the P-code of San Rafael?CR30304 (OCHA common operational dataset)