About San Ramon:

San Ramón is situated about halfway between San José and Puntarenas ( Just an hour northwest of San Jose) , in the beautiful North Central Valley of Costa Rica ( Alajuela province) .The city has a population of roughly 14,000 and is easily accessible by road from many other cities. Set against a dramatic backdrop of mountains, San Ramón is truly the heart of Costa Rica, where you will encounter friendly people, a relaxed lifestyle and a low crime rate.

Within the city, you will find an impressive church, many excellent restaurants and shops, a variety of banks, a mall and theatres. Just north of the main square is the Museo de San Ramón, which showcases the important role the city has played in Costa Rican history and culture. Known as “the city of presidents and poets”, San Ramón has been home to many of Costa Rica 's great political and literary figures, such as former President Jose Figueres Ferrer, who abolished the country's army and granted women the right to vote.

Most San Ramón residents are involved in farming and agriculture, so the weekly Saturday morning Farmers Markets, or “Ferias del agricultor,” is not to be missed. There you will find a delicious variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables and coffee. Another festive San Ramón tradition occurs in August: San Ramón Day, a day of citywide celebration that includes music, dancing and the parade of saints.

To reach San Ramon,fly into Juan Santa Maria Airport, then drive west on the Interamericana Highway for approximately 45 minutes to the San Ramon exit. View Map

About Costa Rica:

Known as the “Switzerland of Latin America,” Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948. Consequently, it has been able to redirect its resources toward the development of its educational system and infrastructure. As a result, today Costa Rica is proud of its healthcare system, a literacy rate of more than 93% among its 4 million inhabitants, and its political stability.

The geography of Costa Rica displays a stunning panorama of nature, which includes the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean coasts, mountains that soar to 12,000 feet, lush rain forests, and smoking volcanoes. Enlightened Costa Rica has been a forerunner in the development of national parks and in the preservation of wildlife. More than half the country is forested. In its reserves you can see more species of birds than are found in the U S and Canada combined. Many colorful kinds of butterflies, abundant native wildlife and saltwater fish and mollusks are found. These factors, combined with ever expanding nature preserves, have made Costa Rica a favorite destination for ecologically oriented tourism from around the world.

Population: (July 2005 est.): 4.02 million.
Annual growth rate: (2005 est.): 1.48%.
Ethnic groups: European and some mestizo 94%, African origin 3%, Chinese 1%, indigenous 1%, other 1%.
Religion: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Protestant approx. 15.7%, others 4.8%, none 3.2%.
Languages: Spanish, with a southwestern Caribbean Creole dialect of English, spoken around the Limon area.
Education: Years compulsory: 9. Attendance: 99% grades 1-6, 71% grades 7-9. Literacy:96%.
Health: Infant mortality rate 9.95/1,000. Life expectancy: men 74.26 yrs., women 79.55 yers.
Work force (2004 est., 1.81 million): Services:71.3%; agriculture:14.6%; industry:14%.
Per capita income : (2004): $4,670. (PPP $9,600-2004 est.).
Currency: Costa Rica Colon (CRC).
Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, forest products, fisheries.
Agriculture: Products bananas, coffee, beef, sugarcane, rice, dairy products, vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants.