Santa Ana is one of the most popular places for expats to live in Costa Rica’s Central Valley. It sits just west of Escazú, about 15 to 20 minutes from San José on Route 27, with the Lindora shopping and business area, a private hospital, private schools and the airport around 16 km away by road. Many people find it a little calmer, and often a little more affordable, than Escazú next door. Here is what living in Santa Ana is like.
Looking at all your options? Read our complete guide to Costa Rica residency, with every category compared.
Why expats choose Santa Ana
- Everything nearby. Lindora, in the Pozos district, has grown into a busy area of supermarkets, restaurants, banks, clinics, hotels and offices.
- A private hospital in the canton. Hospital Metropolitano Lindora is in Pozos, and Hospital CIMA is a short drive away in Escazú.
- Quick connections. Route 27 passes within about a mile of Santa Ana’s centre, linking it to San José in one direction and the Pacific coast in the other.
- The airport. Juan Santamaría International Airport is roughly 16 km by road, usually around 25 minutes depending on traffic.
- The beach as a day trip. Follow Route 27 west to the central Pacific; Jacó is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away.
Santa Ana’s six districts
The canton of Santa Ana has six districts: Santa Ana, Salitral, Pozos, Uruca, Piedades and Brasil.
- Santa Ana (centre): the traditional town, with its church, shops and local services.
- Pozos: the most populous district and home to Lindora, so it has the most shopping, offices and condominiums.
- Salitral: up in the hills, greener and quieter, and known for its potters.
- Uruca, Piedades and Brasil: more residential districts with a quieter pace.
Listings that just say “Santa Ana” can be in any of the six, so always ask for the district and the exact location.
Getting around, and the traffic to plan for
Route 27 is Santa Ana’s main advantage. The roads around Lindora, especially Route 147 towards Belén and Alajuela, get busy at rush hour as the area keeps growing. Before you choose a home, drive your daily routes (to work, school or the airport) at the times you will actually travel.
Healthcare
With Hospital Metropolitano Lindora in the canton and Hospital CIMA in neighbouring Escazú, Santa Ana has private healthcare close at hand. As a legal resident you will also join the Caja (CCSS), the public health system; our guide to healthcare in Costa Rica for expats explains how public and private care fit together.
Schools
Santa Ana’s growth has brought more private schools, and many bilingual and international schools are within a short drive in Santa Ana and Escazú. Compare curriculum, language and transport for each one; start with our guide to international schools in Costa Rica.
Local culture: potters and onions
Santa Ana has a proud farming and craft history. The canton is known for its pottery, and potters in Salitral still work in the traditional way. Onions were grown here for so long that people from Santa Ana were nicknamed cebolleros, “onion farmers”. It is a good reminder that behind the new condominiums there is a real Costa Rican town.
Renting or buying a home in Santa Ana
You will find condominiums and gated communities around Lindora and Pozos, and family homes and larger lots in the quieter districts. Before you rent, ask what the monthly charges include, who handles repairs, whether fibre internet reaches the exact address, and what the building rules say about pets and parking. Our condo ownership guide covers what to check before buying a condominium.
If you own a home in Santa Ana and want to sell, see GAP Real Estate’s page on how to sell your home in Santa Ana. Comparing with the neighbours? Read our guides to living in Escazú and living in Ciudad Colón.
Moving to Santa Ana: residency
To live in Santa Ana long term you will need Costa Rican residency, for example as a pensionado, rentista or investor. Our residency requirements guide explains the categories, and our guide to the best places to live in Costa Rica compares Santa Ana with the rest of the Central Valley.
Frequently asked questions
Is Santa Ana a good place for expats to live?
For many people, yes. It has shopping and services in Lindora, a private hospital, schools nearby, Route 27 to San José and the beach, and the airport around 25 minutes away.
Santa Ana or Escazú?
They are neighbours and share many services. Santa Ana is often described as a little calmer and a little more affordable; Escazú has Multiplaza and Hospital CIMA inside the canton. Visit both before you decide.
How far is Santa Ana from the airport?
About 16 km by road to Juan Santamaría International Airport, usually around 25 minutes depending on traffic.
Where is Lindora?
Lindora is the busy shopping and business area in the Pozos district of Santa Ana, near Route 27.
Sources: Municipality of Santa Ana (six districts), Hospital Metropolitano and local reporting on Santa Ana’s pottery and onion history, checked 15 October 2026. Travel times depend on traffic.
Thinking about moving to Santa Ana? CRIE is an immigration law firm in Costa Rica with over 20 years of experience. Talk to our immigration expert, Johanna: WhatsApp +506 8373 2085 or email info@crie.cr.