# San Rafael District, Montes de Oca Canton, San José Province > Source: https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/montes-de-oca/san-rafael/ District · Montes de Oca Canton # San Rafael San Rafael is a district of Costa Rica in Montes de Oca Canton, San José Province. It had an estimated **13,694 people** in 2021 on 8 km² (about 1,749 per km²). 16 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 18 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools. - 13,694people (2021) - 7.8km² - 18mapped services - 1,331 mtypical elevation ## How many people live in San Rafael? San Rafael had an estimated **13,694 people** in 2021 — 21.8% of Montes de Oca Canton, 118th of 472 districts. There are 1,041 women for every 1,000 men (below the Montes de Oca Canton figure of 1,054). Spread over 8 km², that is about **1,749 people per km²**, 99th of 472 districts. 20.2% of people are children under 15 and 11.3% are 65 or older; the median age is about 32 years (it is 36 across Montes de Oca Canton). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 46 children and older people. 0–4 ****877** 5–9 ****980** 10–14 ****910** 15–19 ****985** 20–24 ****1,266** 25–29 ****1,491** 30–34 ****1,110** 35–39 ****1,042** 40–44 ****893** 45–49 ****657** 50–54 ****607** 55–59 ****665** 60–64 ****664** 65–69 ****567** 70–74 ****391** 75+ ****589** 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 [Montes de Oca Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/montes-de-oca/), [San José Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/), [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 8 other districts: [Dulce Nombre](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/la-union/dulce-nombre/), [Granadilla](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/curridabat/granadilla/), [Llano Grande](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/cartago/llano-grande/), [Mata de Plátano](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/goicoechea/mata-de-platano/), [Rancho Redondo](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/goicoechea/rancho-redondo/), [Sabanilla](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/montes-de-oca/sabanilla/), [San Pedro](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/montes-de-oca/san-pedro/) and [San Ramón](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/cartago/la-union/san-ramon/). By area it is the 385th largest of 492 districts in Costa Rica. It covers 49.6% of [Montes de Oca Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/san-jose/montes-de-oca/). The centre of San Rafael is about 9.9 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. It is about 6.3 km from San Pedro, the main town of Montes de Oca Canton. The centre point is at 9.9455° N, 83.9957° 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 - Mapa de Costa Rica · monument, Mata de Plátano1.2 km - Casa Patrimonio Nacional · monument, Mata de Plátano2.2 km - Reserva Natural Protegida · nature reserve, Concepción2.2 km - Corredor Biológico Río María Aguilar · nature reserve, Concepción2.2 km - Casa de la Juventud · gallery, Tres Ríos4.2 km - Casa Real Platino · gallery, Sánchez4.3 km - Arte Blanco · gallery, Sánchez4.3 km - Casa de la Cultura · gallery, Tres Ríos4.3 km - Balcón de Pachi · ruins, Cascajal4.9 km - Mirador de Rancho Redondo · viewpoint, Rancho Redondo4.9 km - Mirador de Patio de Agua · viewpoint, San Rafael5.5 km - El Pincel Rojo · gallery, Guadalupe5.5 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 Jose16 km - Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) · San José (Alajuela)24 km ### Nearest railway station Tres Ríos (Tres Ríos), about 4.0 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 05:44, 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 **16 villages, towns and localities** in San Rafael. Settlements here lie between about 1,286 m and 1,406 m above sea level (median 1,331 m). - Alameda - Andrómeda - Begonia - El Cristo - Estéfana - Europa - Holandés - Liburgia - Limburgia - Mansiones - Maruz - Monte Rosa - Salitrillos - San Rafael - Sinaí - Vista Real 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 3 rivers and streams. - Arroyo Sur - Quebrada Patal - Quebrada Salitrillo 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 Montes de Oca 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 Ebais Concepción Oeste · Concepción 1.9 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.92805&mlon=-83.99666#map=17/9.92805/-83.99666) Bank National Bank · Concepción 2.0 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.92920&mlon=-84.00290#map=17/9.92920/-84.00290) ATM ATM Bac · Granadilla 3.8 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.93186&mlon=-84.02717#map=17/9.93186/-84.02717) Petrol pump Servicentro JSM San Rafael · San Rafael 1.7 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94037&mlon=-84.01074#map=17/9.94037/-84.01074) Hotel Villas Stephanie · San Ramón 0.5 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94087&mlon=-83.99616#map=17/9.94087/-83.99616) Mall Espacio Quattro · Mata de Plátano 1.5 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.95396&mlon=-84.00611#map=17/9.95396/-84.00611) School Escuela Domingo Faustino Sarmiento · San Ramón 0.6 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94050&mlon=-83.99423#map=17/9.94050/-83.99423) College Ciudad Hogar Calasanz · San Rafael 2.6 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94473&mlon=-84.01962#map=17/9.94473/-84.01962) Police station Delegación Policial San Ramón · San Ramón 1.2 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.93890&mlon=-83.98652#map=17/9.93890/-83.98652) 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. - Petrol pumps2 - Schools3 - Colleges and universities1 - Pharmacies3 - Restaurants9 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 Montes de Oca Canton - Mercedes - Sabanilla - San Pedro ## Quick answers - Where is San Rafael?In Montes de Oca Canton, San José Province, Costa Rica - What is the population of San Rafael?13,694 (2021 estimate) - What is the median age in San Rafael?About 32 years (2021 estimate) - What is the population density of San Rafael?About 1,749 people per km² - What borders San Rafael?Dulce Nombre, Granadilla, Llano Grande, Mata de Plátano, Rancho Redondo, Sabanilla, San Pedro and San Ramón - What is there to see in San Rafael?Mapa de Costa Rica, Casa Patrimonio Nacional, Reserva Natural Protegida, Corredor Biológico Río María Aguilar - 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 1,286 m and 1,406 m - What is the best time to visit San Rafael?January to April - Where is the nearest hospital to San Rafael?Ebais Concepción Oeste, about 1.9 km from the centre - Where is the nearest bank to San Rafael?National Bank, about 2.0 km from the centre - Where is the nearest ATM to San Rafael?ATM Bac, about 3.8 km from the centre - Where is the nearest petrol pump to San Rafael?Servicentro JSM San Rafael, about 1.7 km from the centre - How many petrol pumps are in San Rafael?2 mapped - What is the P-code of San Rafael?CR11504 (OCHA common operational dataset)