This content was generated using artificial intelligence based on publicly available information. It is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, or professional advice. Information may be incomplete or outdated. Always verify with official sources before making decisions.
Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.
All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.
San Juan is a small, manageable mountain town where you can actually know your neighbors—ideal if you're seeking community over anonymity. The cost of living remains genuinely affordable, healthcare is reliable, and you're close enough to San José for urban conveniences without the capital's congestion. Public transport works reasonably well for daily needs.
The trade-off: as a smaller hub, San Juan offers fewer expat infrastructure shortcuts and less English prevalence than larger Costa Rican destinations. You'll need genuine Spanish fluency or willingness to develop it. If you value a quieter, more integrated lifestyle over ready-made expat networks, this is worth serious consideration.
San Juan, Costa Rica has a tropical monsoon climate with warm temperatures year-round, a pronounced rainy season, and a shorter drier period. The current cool, very humid rainy conditions fit the broader pattern of muggy, overcast wet-season weather described for the area. Annual rainfall is high and humidity is consistently elevated, which is typical of Costa Rica's wetter lowland and valley climates.
Summer Average
24°C
Winter Average
18°C
Climate Type
Tropical Monsoon
Rainy Days
220
Sunny Days
110
Humidity
85%
Spring
March - May
21-26°C
Conditions usually transition from the drier period into the onset of heavier rains. Temperatures stay warm, but humidity and afternoon showers increase through the season.
Moderate rainfall
Summer
June - August
20-25°C
This is part of the main wet season, with frequent rain, cloud cover, and high humidity. Days remain warm but are often interrupted by showers or thunderstorms.
High rainfall
Autumn
September - November
20-24°C
This is typically the wettest part of the year in much of Costa Rica, with persistent rainfall and very humid conditions. Sunshine is limited and soils remain saturated for long periods.
Very High rainfall
Winter
December - February
18-24°C
The drier season is usually more comfortable, with less frequent rain and more sunshine than the rest of the year. Nights can feel cooler than the rest of the year, but temperatures remain mild.
Moderate rainfall
Loading Weather...
Air Quality
San Juan
Advantages
San Juan
Abundant parks and green spaces
Multiple universities nearby
Small-town community feel
Central Costa Rica location
Affordable cost of living
Disadvantages
San Juan
Limited coworking infrastructure
Weak business ecosystem data
Small town job market
Infrastructure gaps (3/10 rating)
Safety & Security in San Juan
Overall Safety Score
Includes resilience and environmental factors
Moderate
55
/100
Costa Rica Avg
56
North America Avg
57
Worldwide Avg
56
Crime & Safety Metrics
Thermometer compares San Juan to Costa Rica averages using different marker styles.Compare:
San Juan
Costa Rica Average
No city-specific data available — showing Costa Rica country averages instead.
Safety Index
0510
Low
Safety from Crime
0510
Concerning
Safe Alone (Day)
0510
Moderate
Safe Alone (Night)
0510
Low
Safety from Violent Crime
0510
Concerning
Safety from Property Crime
0510
Concerning
Environmental & Natural Hazard Risks
Resilience Score: 72/100
No data for San Juan — showing hazard indicators from nearby San Vicente (~2 km).
