San Rafael Arriba Population 2026
San Rafael Arriba has a population of 15,051, making it the #36 biggest city in 🇨🇷 Costa Rica, located in San José. Roughly 0.3% of Costa Rica's population lives here. It is about 22× smaller than San José, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
15,051
Rank in Costa Rica
#36
Coordinates
9.88°N, 84.07°W
~1,180 m elevation · America/Costa_Rica
Distance to capital (San José)
6 km
4 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 Arriba
- San Juan de Dios15,469 people · ~1 km away
- San Miguel28,827 people · ~2 km away
- Aserrí25,874 people · ~3 km away
- Patarrá23,983 people · ~4 km away
- San Felipe24,985 people · ~5 km away
- Curridabat34,586 people · ~6 km away
FAQ
What is the population of San Rafael Arriba?
San Rafael Arriba has a population of 15,051 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #36 biggest city in Costa Rica.
What region is San Rafael Arriba in?
San Rafael Arriba is located in San José, Costa Rica.
Is San Rafael Arriba the capital of Costa Rica?
No, the capital of Costa Rica is San José, about 6 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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