San Rafael Arriba City
City in San José known for its coffee
Highland suburbia outside San José that opens onto coffee farms and hill trails; people visit for mountain air, small sodas, farm-to-table breakfasts and short hikes through cultivated slopes.
San Rafael Arriba at a Glance#
Costs: About $45-60 per day - typical daily tourist budget in Costa Rica.
Safety: Relatively safe; petty theft possible - generally low violent crime; take normal precautions.
Best Time: December-April (dry season) - dry season has the most reliable weather for day trips.
Why Visit San Rafael Arriba?#
Set among San José’s uplands, this small town draws travelers who want a quieter Costa Rican highland experience with easy access to coffee farms and local mountain trails. Visitors come for neighborhood life around the central plaza and traditional sodas serving gallo pinto and casado. A short drive brings you into cloud-forest scenery and community festivals, so it’s ideal for people who like pastoral landscapes, artisanal coffee tastings and low-key cultural encounters.
Best Things to Do in San Rafael Arriba#
Best Time to Visit San Rafael Arriba#
San Rafael Arriba sits in Costa Rica’s central highlands, so the mild, dry months (November-April) are the easiest for outdoor plans. Visit in the dry season for reliable sunshine; expect lush, wet landscapes and fewer clear days during May-October.
November - April
16°C - 26°C (61°F - 79°F)
Sunny, pleasantly warm days and cool nights - best for hiking and city excursions without heavy afternoon downpours.
May - October
18°C - 26°C (64°F - 79°F)
Frequent afternoon showers and lush green landscapes; travel slows but waterfalls and cloud forests are at their most dramatic.
December - February
14°C - 23°C (57°F - 73°F)
Mornings can be crisp and clear; ideal for early walks and avoiding crowds, though evenings are noticeably cooler.
San Rafael Arriba's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 14°C to 27°C. Heavy rainfall (3432 mm/year), wettest in September.
January
January is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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April
April is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Heavy rain (361 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Heavy rain (390 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Heavy rain (305 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Heavy rain (471 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (513 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Heavy rain (476 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Heavy rain (369 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Heavy rain (237 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to San Rafael Arriba#
(Nearest major airport) Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO):
Train:
Bus:
How to Get Around San Rafael Arriba#
- Walking -
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Where to Stay in San Rafael Arriba#
San José (central) - $10-45/night
Very limited cheap options in town; most budget travelers stay in nearby San José. Expect basic guesthouses or hostels outside the district.
Escazú / San José outskirts - $50-120/night
Comfortable mid-range hotels are mostly in San José or Escazú. Quiet, convenient bases for day trips to the province from town.
San José (upscale districts) - $150+/night
No luxury resorts inside San Rafael Arriba. For upscale facilities, book in San José or nearby upscale suburbs.
Where to Eat in San Rafael Arriba#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across San Rafael Arriba’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
