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About the San Ramón, Costa Rica Program

The San Ramón program is a USAC specialty program. Learn more about on-site program elements and the city itself below.

About San Ramón

Students horseback riding in San Ramon, Costa Rica.

  • Population: approx. 93,000
  • Distance from San José: 72 miles
  • Distance from the Pacific: 25 miles

San Ramón is located about halfway between San José and Puntarenas in the beautiful Central Valley of Costa Rica and it is just a 20-minute walk, or an even shorter drive, from many hiking trails that let you wander through the beautiful mountainside. Set against a dramatic backdrop of mountains, San Ramón is truly the heart of Costa Rica, where you will encounter friendly people and a peaceful, relaxed lifestyle.

Within the city, you will find an impressive church, many excellent restaurants and shops, a variety of banks, a mall, and theaters. Most of San Ramón residents are involved in farming and agriculture, so the weekly Saturday morning farmers markets, or "ferias del agricultor," are not to be missed. You will find a delicious variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables, and coffee.