Santa Ana

Santa Ana is a fast-growing upscale suburb west of San Jose that has become a rival to Escazu for expat family residency. Once a quiet agricultural town, Santa Ana has been transformed by commercial development including the Avenida Escazu mall complex, Forum corporate parks, and extensive gated residential communities. The area has a more relaxed, suburban feel than Escazu with slightly lower prices. The international school landscape is excellent — several bilingual and international schools operate in the Santa Ana/Ciudad Colon corridor. A large American corporate community, including many tech and pharmaceutical employees, calls Santa Ana home. The town center retains a charming colonial character distinct from the newer developments.

Santa Ana has excellent green space and outdoor recreation options. Valle del Sol Golf Club offers an 18-hole golf course and club facilities. The Cerros de Escazu provide hiking with valley views. Several equestrian facilities and horse riding are available in the surrounding rural areas. Country Club Costa Rica offers tennis, swimming, and social facilities. The hills behind Santa Ana toward Ciudad Colon give access to trails through coffee farms and secondary forest. Mountain biking has a growing community here.

Santa Ana is accessible by car and Uber from San Jose (30 min in off-peak traffic) and from the airport (25 min). Forum business park and Avenida Escazu are local landmarks that anchor the commute pattern. Rush hour on the Prospero Fernandez Highway toward San Jose can be severe. Local buses connect to San Jose but are slow. Uber is fast and popular. A car is strongly recommended — most residents drive. The proximity of Forum employers means some residents walk or cycle to work within the Santa Ana area.

Daily life in Santa Ana is comfortable and geared toward expat needs. Avenida Escazu provides world-class shopping and dining in an outdoor mall setting. PriceSmart, Walmart, and AutoMercado serve grocery needs. The restaurant scene is excellent — numerous quality restaurants in Avenida Escazu and the surrounding streets. International schools make the area ideal for families. Private medical care at CentroMedico or CIMA Hospital is easily accessible. Santa Anas combination of lower prices than Escazu with similar amenities makes it increasingly attractive.

Santa Ana sits at around 1,000 meters, slightly lower and warmer than Escazu. Temperatures range from 20–30°C, with warm afternoons and pleasant evenings. The rainy season (May–November) brings daily afternoon showers that quickly clear. The dry season is ideal — sunny days, low humidity, and cool nights. Santa Anas valley position occasionally traps morning fog during the wet season, creating misty mornings that burn off by 9am.