# San Rafael District, Escazú Canton, San José Province > Source: https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/escazu/san-rafael/ District · Escazú Canton # San Rafael San Rafael is a district of Costa Rica in Escazú Canton, San José Province. It had an estimated **28,872 people** in 2021 on 13 km² (about 2,212 per km²). 40 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 511 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools. - 28,872people (2021) - 13.1km² - 511mapped services - 1,048 mtypical elevation ## How many people live in San Rafael? San Rafael had an estimated **28,872 people** in 2021 — 40.9% of Escazú Canton, 38th of 472 districts. There are 1,037 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Escazú Canton figure of 1,029). Spread over 13 km², that is about **2,212 people per km²**, 90th of 472 districts. 18.1% of people are children under 15 and 11.4% are 65 or older; the median age is about 37 years (it is 36 across Escazú Canton). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 42 children and older people. 0–4 ****1,678** 5–9 ****1,764** 10–14 ****1,781** 15–19 ****1,805** 20–24 ****2,039** 25–29 ****2,096** 30–34 ****2,427** 35–39 ****2,507** 40–44 ****2,204** 45–49 ****1,968** 50–54 ****1,913** 55–59 ****1,830** 60–64 ****1,558** 65–69 ****1,260** 70–74 ****830** 75+ ****1,212** 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 [Escazú Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/escazu/), [San José Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/), [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 10 other districts: [Escazú](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/escazu/escazu/), [Mata Redonda](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/san-jose/mata-redonda/), [Pavas](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/san-jose/pavas/), [Pozos](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/santa-ana/pozos/), [San Antonio](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/escazu/san-antonio/), [San Antonio](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/heredia/belen/san-antonio/), [San Felipe](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/alajuelita/san-felipe/), [San Rafael](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/alajuela/alajuela/san-rafael/), [Santa Ana](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/santa-ana/santa-ana/) and [Uruca](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/san-jose/uruca/). By area it is the 345th largest of 492 districts in Costa Rica. It covers 37.8% of [Escazú Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/escazu/). The centre of San Rafael is about 7.9 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. The centre point is at 9.9450° N, 84.1565° 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 - Proyecto condominal abandonado · ruins, La Asunción3.2 km - Merecumbe · attraction, Escazú3.3 km - Salón de Tía Gallina · attraction, Uruca3.4 km - Carritos Chocones Adultos · attraction, Uruca3.4 km - Parque de Diversiones · theme park, Uruca3.4 km - Skymaster · attraction, Uruca3.4 km - Conchas locas · attraction, Uruca3.5 km - Salón TC Modelo · attraction, Uruca3.5 km - Splash Caribe · attraction, Uruca3.5 km - Pulpo · attraction, Uruca3.5 km - El Disco · attraction, Uruca3.5 km - Rueda Chicago · attraction, Uruca3.5 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 Jose2.3 km - Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · San José (Alajuela)7.9 km ### Nearest railway station Metrópoli (Pavas), about 1.4 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 **40 villages, towns and localities** in San Rafael. The largest with a recorded population: San Rafael (25,410). Settlements here lie between about 953 m and 1,110 m above sea level (median 1,048 m). - Anonos - Ayala - Bajo Anonos - Bajo Palomas - Bello Horizonte - Belo Horizonte - Betina - Ceiba - Coopeguachipelín - El Mirador - Facio Castro - Guachipelín - Herrera - La Ceiba - Lagunilla - Las Quebradas - Laureles - Laureles Este - León - Loma Real - Lomas de Escazú - Los Anonos - Los Ángeles - Matapalo - Maynard - Mirador - Miravalles - Monte Roca - Palermo - Palma de Mallorca - Palma de Mayorca - Pinar - Primavera - Quesada - Real de Pereira - San Rafael - Santa Marta - Tena - Trejos Montealegre - Vista Alegre 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 7 rivers and streams. - Quebrada Herrera - Quebrada Yeguas - Quebradillas - Río Agres - Río Chiquero - Río Convento - Río Cruz ### Hills and mountains 2 hills. - Alto Palomas · 1,071 m - Cerro Coyotes · 1,068 m 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 Escazú 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 Dr. Javier Quirós Estética Dental · San Rafael 0.3 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94342&mlon=-84.15830#map=17/9.94342/-84.15830) Bank Banco Mundial · San Rafael 0.3 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94403&mlon=-84.15401#map=17/9.94403/-84.15401) ATM Delimart Guachipelín · San Rafael 0.7 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94880&mlon=-84.16200#map=17/9.94880/-84.16200) Petrol pump Gasolinera Fill N Go · San Rafael 0.6 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94677&mlon=-84.15137#map=17/9.94677/-84.15137) Hotel Hotel Sheraton San José · San Rafael 0.3 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94727&mlon=-84.15633#map=17/9.94727/-84.15633) Mall AMARA PLAZA Escazú · San Rafael 0.5 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94087&mlon=-84.15596#map=17/9.94087/-84.15596) School Escuela Guachipelín · San Rafael 0.3 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94418&mlon=-84.15930#map=17/9.94418/-84.15930) College PXS Global · San Rafael 0.8 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94021&mlon=-84.15110#map=17/9.94021/-84.15110) Police station Delegación Policial Rincón Grande · Pavas 1.2 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.95591&mlon=-84.15461#map=17/9.95591/-84.15461) 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. - Hospitals16 - Banks30 - ATMs2 - Petrol pumps8 - Hotels34 - Shopping malls57 - Schools14 - Colleges and universities5 - Cinemas3 - Pharmacies13 - Restaurants284 - Police stations4 - Dental clinics41 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 Escazú Canton - Escazú - San Antonio ## Quick answers - Where is San Rafael?In Escazú Canton, San José Province, Costa Rica - What is the population of San Rafael?28,872 (2021 estimate) - What is the median age in San Rafael?About 37 years (2021 estimate) - What is the population density of San Rafael?About 2,212 people per km² - What borders San Rafael?Escazú, Mata Redonda, Pavas, Pozos, San Antonio, San Antonio, San Felipe, San Rafael, Santa Ana and Uruca - What is there to see in San Rafael?Proyecto condominal abandonado, Merecumbe, Salón de Tía Gallina, Carritos Chocones Adultos - 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?40 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap) - What is the elevation of San Rafael?Settlements lie between 953 m and 1,110 m - What is the highest point in San Rafael?Alto Palomas (1,071 m, GeoNames elevation model) - What is the best time to visit San Rafael?December to April - Where is the nearest hospital to San Rafael?Dr. Javier Quirós Estética Dental, about 0.3 km from the centre - Where is the nearest bank to San Rafael?Banco Mundial, about 0.3 km from the centre - Where is the nearest ATM to San Rafael?Delimart Guachipelín, about 0.7 km from the centre - Where is the nearest petrol pump to San Rafael?Gasolinera Fill N Go, about 0.6 km from the centre - How many hospitals are in San Rafael?16 mapped - How many banks are in San Rafael?30 mapped - How many ATMs are in San Rafael?2 mapped - How many petrol pumps are in San Rafael?8 mapped - What is the P-code of San Rafael?CR10203 (OCHA common operational dataset)