Costa Rica Living in San Ramon

To many people, San Ramón is one of those towns that "I've heard of but really don't know much about." However, it is now becoming a popular town with foreign retirees and baby boomers seeking a more tranquilo way of life.

San Ramon provides good services, culture, reasonable cost of living and some of the Central Valley's most outstanding real estate values. On the far western edge of the Central Valley sits the quaint village set in a lush valley with dramatic mountains in every direction.

It still prides itself on being a farming community, has strong family ties, and hasn't yet been spoiled by modern overindulgence. It's a peaceful place with stunning scenery, a very friendly population and lots of affordable land for sale.

San Ramón is located about 40 minutes from the Juan Santamaria international airport (SJO) near San Jose and is right off the InterAmerican highway running west between San Jose and the central Pacific coast. It is only about 35 minutes to some of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. Heading north of town, it is about an hour and a half drive to the famous Arenal Volcano.

While Costa Rica itself is not very far above the equator and one would expect hot and humid conditions, San Ramón's temperatures are mild throughout the year averaging from 70F to 80F (21-27 C). This pleasant temperature range is mostly because of its altitude above sea level of 3,468 feet (1,057 meters).

Given the mild climate, heating one's home or having air conditioning is virtually non-existent in San Ramón. Some areas of San Ramon are located in the cloud forest and can be much cooler and wetter.

June through October is considered the rainy or "green" season with November to May considered the "dry season." Mornings are sunny and warm during the rainy season with rains coming almost daily from the mid to late afternoon, usually clearing by evening.

Typically, if it rains in the late afternoon or early evening it is likely that the next morning will be glorious. With less rain the day before, the next morning could be a bit cloudy with the sun eventually breaking through. This annual weather cycle leads to a very lush and green environment, often holding over through part of the dry season, in which rarely any rain falls. San Ramón's history began when European settlers arrived in the early to mid 1840's. The initial inhabitants of San Ramón set up farms in the region, many of which still exist today having been passed down to the next generation. Today, many farmers have taken advantage of a large export market by growing sugar cane, coffee, and ornamental plants.

Ramon Solis and Ramon Rodriguez, considered the forefathers of San Ramón, played a major role in the creation of the town and are thought to have put the town under the "protection" of Saint Raymond, hence the name San Ramón.

In 1854, San Ramón reached "municipalidad" status and then through establishing schools locally, it eventually gained standing as the region's main education and cultural center, becoming a canton. Today it is Alajuela's second largest district and also known as the canton of San Ramón.

Known throughout the country as the "city of poets and presidents," it is also an important town in the political history of Costa Rica. San Ramon is home to four former presidents. Jose Figueres Ferrer ("Don Pepe"), one of Costa Rica 's most influential political figures, spearheaded the creation of Costa Rica 's constitution and helped to abolish the army. The people of San Ramón take their politics seriously and have an active voice in the political process, both locally and nationally.

With about 70,000 people in the greater San Ramón area, it is the commercial hub for the western Central Valley. Local farmers bring their produce to town every weekend for San Ramón's "feria," or weekend farmer's market.

It is one of the larger markets in the country, and it attracts people seeking fresh, naturally grown, and inexpensive produce from all over the Central Valley The town and surrounding area has many family-owned businesses with San Ramón being very active throughout the week.

San Ramón has a modern shopping mall situated just off the highway at the entrance to the city. With a new three screen movie theater, it gets first-run American movies almost as quickly as they are distributed in the U.S., usually offered in English with Spanish subtitles.

The mall also has several banks, eight fast-food restaurants, numerous clothing and shoe stores, a GNC, pet store, and even a Hallmark Cards store. A "Mega Super", which is a modern US style supermarket, serves as the mall's anchor. San Ramon also has a Maxi Bodega, which is similar to a small Kmart with groceries.

San Ramon has a water park with multiple pools, water-slides, and a massive natural waterfall. This Las Muses park is inexpensive and a great place to spend a sunny day with your family.

Like other towns in the Central Valley , the ex-pat population tends to be located in communities surrounding San Ramón, primarily to its north and west, with more city-oriented people preferring downtown. Most ex-pats are purchasing land and building homes in areas offering mountain, valley or ocean views - and all three in many cases.

The inventory of North American style homes in San Ramón is not keeping up with demand. Since the area is just now taking off, it does offer a variety of land options and Tico-style homes that are being refurbished.

There are Tico homes throughout the San Ramón area at very reasonable, if not downright cheap, prices. With a little work, it is possible that a Tico home can be fashioned into a quaint retirement home or country getaway.

Areas that have seen some development for ex-pats in recent years include Los Angeles Sur, about 6 kilometers north of San Ramón and off the road to Arenal; Berlin, just south of San Ramón and one of the highest mountain ranges in the area at about 5,000 feet; and Magallanes, about five minutes from downtown San Ramón, just off the InterAmerican highway heading west towards Puntarenas.

Areas near San Ramón including Los Angeles, Berlin, and even El Empalme to some extent have cooler temperatures, more clouds, and more rain than in other areas in or near San Ramón. However, for the bargain-hunter, these areas can be cheaper. Los Angeles tends to be more mature and the ex-pat community is more established. These areas also have attracted foreigners seeking to live less expensively than in the U.S. and other countries.

Large tracts of land can still be found in the San Ramón area for good prices if a hobby farm, horse farm, or investment in creating a residential development is of interest. There premium building lots with Pacific Ocean and mountain views located in private communities for below $75,000. Not many nearby areas can make that claim for 1 acre lots.

San Ramón has only a few upscale communities similar to those in Atenas, Grecia or Escazu with features ex-pats from North America have come to expect in Costa Rica. However, one area beginning to become known as the "quality" area for ex-pats in San Ramón is Magallanes.

This area of San Ramón is located five minutes to the center of town off of the Interamerican highway heading towards Puntarenas. With a small and tight-knit population, it features many large farms sloping down to dramatic views of the Pacific Ocean , Nicoya Peninsula and the city of Puntarenas. To its north and south are dramatic mountain ranges, valleys and protected forest areas.

San Ramón will not be a secret for too much longer. Prices for real estate remain considerably lower compared to other towns and stunning properties can still be had within a short distance of town.

San Ramon may not be for everyone because of the cooler climate and a less developed feel than other towns, but with a convenient location, terrific people, shopping, entertainment, low real estate prices and more, this largely undiscovered town could offer you everything you desire.

One of our VIP Members started a Discussion on San Ramon which you can find here.

Written by Jeff Hickcox who lives in Atenas Costa Rica with his wife Mary and two sons, Dylan (8) and Colin (3). Mr. Hickcox works with Terry Mills, our Recommended Costa Rica Realtor for the Atenas & Grecia areas. When he is not working you can find Jeff reading in his hammock.

If you would like to speak with Jeff regarding Costa Rica real estate in the Atenas & Grecia areas, please use the form below: