San Rafael is a district of the Guatuso canton, in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica.

History

San Rafael was granted the title of "ciudad" (city) by a law of May 4, 1970.

Geography

San Rafael has an area of 304.29 km2 and an elevation of 50 metres. It is located near the western edge of the San Carlos Plain (Llanura de San Carlos) in northern Costa Rica. It is 20 kilometers northeast of Lake Arenal, 40 kilometers southeast of Upala, 37 kilometers northwest of El Tanque, 90 kilometers northwest of Ciudad Quesada, 155 kilometers from the provincial capital city of Alajuela, and 183 kilometers from the national capital city of San José.

Demographics

For the 2011 census, San Rafael had a population of 7,941 inhabitants.

Transportation

Road transportation

The district is covered by the following road routes:

Economy

San Rafael, often called Guatuso, is an agricultural town on the Río Frío and National Route 4. Cattle ranching and rice farming are major concerns in the area. The town has a gas station, banks, medical clinic, pharmacy, and a few basic restaurants and cabinas for lodging.

Tourism