Santa Ana, Costa Rica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Santa Ana
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District
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Nighttime view of Santa Ana, Costa Rica
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 Santa Ana
Location in Costa Rica
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| Country |  Costa Rica |
| Province | San José |
| Canton | Santa Ana |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.4 km2 (2.1 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 904 m (2,966 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 11,320 |
| • Density | 2,096/km2 (5,430/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 |
| Postal code |
10901
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Santa Ana is a lively district and the main city of the Santa Ana area, located in the San José province of Costa Rica. It's where the local government for the Santa Ana area is based.
Contents
Discovering Santa Ana's Geography
Santa Ana covers an area of about 5.4 square kilometers. It sits at an elevation of 904 meters above sea level. This means it's located in a slightly elevated area, offering nice views.
Santa Ana's Growing Population
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1864 | 1,068 | — | |
| 1883 | 2,114 | 97.9% | |
| 1892 | 1,460 | −30.9% | |
| 1927 | 962 | −34.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,630 | 69.4% | |
| 1963 | 3,137 | 92.5% | |
| 1973 | 5,315 | 69.4% | |
| 1984 | 6,200 | 16.7% | |
| 2000 | 8,517 | 37.4% | |
| 2011 | 11,320 | 32.9% | |
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Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos |
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In 2011, Santa Ana had a population of 11,320 people. This number makes up about 20% of all the people living in the Santa Ana area. It is currently the second largest district in the Santa Ana area, right after Pozos.
- Boys and Men: 5,563
- Girls and Women: 6,212
For every boy or man, there are about 1.12 girls or women.
Santa Ana's Local Economy
Santa Ana still feels like a traditional Costa Rican town. You can find small shops, local restaurants, and even fresh fruit and vegetable markets on Sundays.
However, Santa Ana is also growing very fast. New buildings and businesses are appearing everywhere. It has become a popular place with fancy grocery stores, nice restaurants, banks, and medical clinics. You can also find beauty salons, coffee shops, hotels, and private schools. The city is very close to Lindora, a busy business area in the Pozos district. This makes it easy to find even more shops, places to stay, and homes.
Getting Around Santa Ana
Several important roads pass through or near Santa Ana. These roads help people travel to other parts of Costa Rica.
- National Route 27: This major highway connects San José, the capital city, to Caldera on the Pacific coast. It passes very close to Santa Ana. Thanks to this road, you can reach the Pacific coast in about 45 minutes from Santa Ana. Getting to San José takes only 15-20 minutes. Route 27 is a toll road, meaning you pay to use it.
- National Route 121: This road goes right through Santa Ana. It connects Santa Ana with Escazu to the east and Mora to the west. It's a good alternative to Route 27, but it's a single-lane road with curves, so it can get busy.
- National Route 147: This road links Santa Ana with nearby areas like San Rafael and Belen. Because of all the new businesses in Lindora, this road often has traffic jams.
- National Route 310: This road starts in Santa Ana and goes north through Pozos. It's another way to get to Escazu, but it's usually only recommended if other roads are very crowded.
- National Route 311: This road connects Santa Ana with the Salitral district to the south.
Public Transportation in Santa Ana
Buses in Santa Ana are a common way to travel. Buses going to Escazu and San Jose are blue. Buses going to Belen are mostly white with purple stripes. The bus drivers usually show the route on the front window. You can always ask the driver if you are unsure. The prices for bus rides are set by the government and cannot be changed. Older residents can get discounts on some bus services.
Santa Ana also has official taxi services. You can find them on Main Street, near the church. Official taxis are red with yellow triangles on the side. Their license plates start with "TSJ" (Taxi San Jose). Taxis from other provinces can't start their service in San Jose, but they can drop off passengers here. Airport shuttles and taxis are an exception; they can operate freely in all provinces.
Culture and Education in Santa Ana
For younger students, Santa Ana has the Andres Bello primary school. Older students attend the Liceo de Santa Ana, which is located in the nearby Uruca district.
Santa Ana is also home to the United World College of Costa Rica. This school offers a special program called the IB program for students from all over the world.
The city's new Municipal Building of Culture is a great place for arts. It houses the Municipal School of Integrated Arts, also known as EMAI. This school is famous for its music program. The building also has an art gallery, a large hall for events, and many colorful murals on its walls.
Sports and Recreation in Santa Ana
If you like golf, Santa Ana has the Parque Valle del Sol golf course in Lindora. It's the only professional golf course in Costa Rica that is open to the public in the Central Valley. This 18-hole course was designed to be fun but also challenging, especially when the winds blow from the mountains.
Santa Ana has two public soccer fields and a public gym. There are also basketball courts next to the main soccer field, which is across from the church. The local government is working to create more parks and recreational areas for everyone to enjoy.
For those interested in mixed martial arts or personal training, Santa Ana is home to studios like MMA Costa Rica and Fight & Fitness.
See also
In Spanish: Santa Ana (Costa Rica) para niños
