San Rafael Arriba

Town

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 Camino de Costa RicaPoás VolcanoIrazú VolcanoBraulio Carrillo National ParkTurrialba VolcanoBarva VolcanoCordillera Central (Costa Rica)Guayabo National MonumentMuseo Nacional de Costa RicaPoás Volcano National ParkNational Theatre of Costa RicaCongo VolcanoIrazú Volcano National ParkLa Cangreja National ParkTapantí National ParkLos Quetzales National ParkTurrialba Volcano National ParkSan JoséLa FortunaMonteverde Cloud Forest ReserveManuel Antonio National ParkTamarindoTortuguero National ParkSan Rafael Arriba
In this guide

San Rafael Arriba essentials

Country: Costa Rica
Driest months: Jan-Mar
Pay in: Colon (₡)
Language: Spanish

Where to Go in San Rafael Arriba

Sight Museo Nacional de Costa Rica Museo Nacional de Costa RicaSan José museum exhibiting Costa Rica's history and artifacts History Guayabo National Monument Guayabo National MonumentPre-Columbian archaeological site with ancient stone structures Nature Poás Volcano Poás VolcanoStratovolcano with a large acidic crater lake Nature Irazú Volcano Irazú VolcanoHigh-elevation volcano with multi-colored crater lakes Nature Braulio Carrillo National Park Braulio Carrillo National ParkExtensive rainforest park protecting cloud forests near San José Nature Turrialba Volcano Turrialba VolcanoActive stratovolcano east of Cartago Nature Barva Volcano Barva VolcanoDormant stratovolcano in central Costa Rica Nature Poás Volcano National Park Poás Volcano National ParkActive Costa Rican volcano and crater lakes park Nature Congo Volcano Congo VolcanoInactive Costa Rican volcano within Alajuela Province Nature Irazú Volcano National Park Irazú Volcano National ParkNational park preserving Irazú volcano and crater landscapes Nature La Cangreja National Park La Cangreja National ParkCosta Rican national park protecting cloud forests Nature Tapantí National Park Tapantí National ParkCloud forest park protecting highland rivers and biodiversity
All Attractions

San Rafael Arriba at a Glance

Local Time
9:21 PM
GMT-6
Population
15,051

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.

San Rafael Arriba sits at coordinates 9.87648°N, 84.07479°W in San José Province.

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

When to Go

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.

Dry Season

November - April16°C - 26°C (61°F - 79°F)

Sunny, pleasantly warm days and cool nights - best for hiking and city excursions without heavy afternoon downpours.

Rainy Season

May - October18°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.

Cool Season

December - February14°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.

Climate

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.

Air Quality: AQI 60 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryMarchJanuary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
16°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 14° - 25° 20° 62 mm mostly sunny 79% 4.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.5h
February Excellent 14° - 26° 20° 64 mm mostly sunny 71% 4.1 m/s 2.5 extreme 11.7h
March Excellent 15° - 27° 21° 58 mm mostly sunny 64% 3.9 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.0h
April Very Good 16° - 27° 22° 126 mm partly cloudy 68% 3.4 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.2h
May Good 16° - 27° 21° 361 mm overcast 81% 2.5 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.4h
June Good 16° - 26° 21° 390 mm overcast 88% 2.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.5h
July Good 16° - 26° 21° 305 mm overcast 87% 2.7 m/s 2.0 very high 12.5h
August Good 15° - 26° 21° 471 mm overcast 88% 2.4 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.3h
September Good 15° - 25° 20° 513 mm overcast 90% 2.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.1h
October Good 15° - 25° 20° 476 mm overcast 91% 2.1 m/s 1.9 very high 11.8h
November Good 15° - 25° 20° 369 mm overcast 90% 2.6 m/s 1.8 very high 11.6h
December Very Good 15° - 25° 20° 237 mm partly cloudy 85% 3.4 m/s 1.9 very high 11.5h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to San Rafael Arriba

By Air

(Nearest major airport) Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO):

By Train & Bus

Train:

Bus:

How to Get Around San Rafael Arriba

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Where to Stay in San Rafael Arriba

Budget

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.

Mid-Range

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.

Luxury

San José (upscale districts) - $150+/night

No luxury resorts inside San Rafael Arriba. For upscale facilities, book in San José or nearby upscale suburbs.

Eat & Drink

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.

Pizza
Chicken
Burger
Chinese
Sandwich
Regional
Italian
Mexican
Tex Mex
Coffee Shop
Japanese
Asian
Seafood
Local
Korean
Steak House
Sushi
Peruvian
Donut
American