San Rafael Abajo Population 2026
San Rafael Abajo has a population of 27,419, making it the #16 biggest city in 🇨🇷 Costa Rica, located in San José. Roughly 0.5% of Costa Rica's population lives here. It is about 12× smaller than San José, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
27,419
Rank in Costa Rica
#16
Coordinates
9.83°N, 84.29°W
~826 m elevation · America/Costa_Rica
Distance to capital (San José)
25 km
16 miles, straight line
Other big cities in San José
| City | Population | Rank in Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| San José | 335,007 | #1 |
| San Isidro | 34,877 | #7 |
| Curridabat | 34,586 | #8 |
| San Vicente | 34,447 | #9 |
| San Vicente de Moravia | 34,447 | #10 |
| Purral | 30,034 | #12 |
| San Miguel | 28,827 | #14 |
| San Pedro | 27,477 | #15 |
Cities near San Rafael Abajo
- Tejar22,433 people · ~12 km away
- San Rafael25,410 people · ~20 km away
- San Felipe24,985 people · ~22 km away
- Aserrí25,874 people · ~22 km away
- Alajuela47,494 people · ~22 km away
- San Juan de Dios15,469 people · ~23 km away
FAQ
What is the population of San Rafael Abajo?
San Rafael Abajo has a population of 27,419 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #16 biggest city in Costa Rica.
What region is San Rafael Abajo in?
San Rafael Abajo is located in San José, Costa Rica.
Is San Rafael Abajo the capital of Costa Rica?
No, the capital of Costa Rica is San José, about 25 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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