San Rafael is a

district A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions o ...

of the

Guatuso Guatuso is a canton in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica. Toponymy It is named for the region's original inhabitants, an indigenous tribe whose survivors are now known as the Maleku and remain as residents of the area. History Guatuso was ...

canton, in the

Alajuela Alajuela () is a district in the Alajuela canton of the Alajuela Province of Costa Rica. As the seat of the Municipality of Alajuela canton, it is awarded the status of city. By virtue of being the city of the first canton of the province, it i ...

province of

Costa Rica Costa Rica (, ; ; literally "Rich Coast"), officially the Republic of Costa Rica ( es, República de Costa Rica), is a country in the Central American region of North America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the no ...

History

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

Geography

San Rafael has an area of km² and an elevation of 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 Lake Arenal ( es, Lago Arenal) is a lake which is situated in the northern highlands of Costa Rica. It is currently the largest lake in Costa Rica at . Its depth varies between 30 and 60 meters (100–200 feet) seasonally. The town of Are ...

, 40 kilometers southeast of

Upala Upala is a district of the Upala canton, in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica. History Upala was granted the title of "ciudad" (city) by a law of May 4, 1970. Geography Upala has an area of km² and an elevation of metres. It is in the ...

, 37 kilometers northwest of El Tanque, 90 kilometers northwest of

Ciudad Quesada Quesada is a district of the San Carlos canton, in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica. It is the head city of the canton of San Carlos. Although Ciudad Quesada is the official name, it is commonly referred to by the area name of San Carlos. Ci ...

, 155 kilometers from the provincial capital city of

, and 183 kilometers from the national capital city of San José.

Demographics

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

Transportation

Road transportation

The district is covered by the following road routes: * CR RNP 4

National Route 4 * CR RNS 143

National Route 143 * CR RNT 733

National Route 733

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

Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is a Wildlife refuge, part of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area, in the northern part of Costa Rica twenty kilometers south of Los Chiles near the border with Nicaragua in the Alajuela province. The refuge is a w ...

: a watery lowland of lush sloughs and marshes, a seasonal lake, and abundant wildlife. Boats can be hired at San Rafael for traveling 40-plus kilometers up the Río Frío to the reserve. The area is a birdwatcher's paradise. (52 kilometers northeast of San Rafael via Route 4 to Colonia Puntarenas and Route 138 to Caño Negro) * Venado Caves: a limestone cave of eight chambers, formed over millennia by a series of underground rivers. Giant spiders, swarms of bats and eyeless fish abound. Visitors must be accompanied by a guide. (25 kilometers southeast of San Rafael via Route 4 to Jicarito and Route 734 to Venado; the caves are located four kilometers south of the village of Venado) *

Tenorio Volcano National Park Tenorio Volcano National Park ( es, Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio) is a National Park in the northern part of Costa Rica, which forms part of the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area. The jewel of the National Park is the Tenorio Volcano, from whi ...

: just 15 kilometers northwest of San Rafael, this park is host to the "teñideros" where the famous Rio Celeste turns from a crystal-clear river to a magnificent light blue one. The river also cascades into one of Costa Rica's most beautiful waterfalls within the park. The park itself is teeming with lush tropical wildlife that visitors can enjoy during several hours of hiking.

References

Districts of Alajuela Province Populated places in Alajuela Province {{CostaRica-geo-stub