Located to the west of San José, Costa Rica, Santa Ana and Escazú often spark confusion among potential residents because of their subtle differences. Recognized as excellent choices for living, working, and studying, both areas boast a significant presence of upscale homes and luxury residential communities including Cerro Alto, Villa Real, La Hacienda, Valle del Sol, Hacienda del Sol, Bosques de Lindora, and others

LX specialist and managing partner, Clari Vega, is an expert in the high-end real estate market in the west side of the Central Valley. In our recent interview, she spoke about the main differences and similarities between Escazú and Santa Ana in order to help guide potential buyers find their dream future home location.

Escazú and Santa Ana are adjacent areas that share common traits that contribute to their appeal both to local and expat residents. Found on the western side of San José, they are both known for providing a blend of peaceful living and practical convenience, with multiple options in vertical buildings, moutainside, or in the lower flat areas close to commercial and corporate centers.

Both Escazú and Santa Ana enjoy direct access to Highway 27 , facilitating easy travel between San José and the scenic Pacific Coast beaches towards Jacó, or further north to Guanacaste.

In terms of real estate, both Santa Ana and the area of Escazú offer a varied selection, including standalone homes, gated communities, and recently developed vertical residential projects. Property prices in these areas align closely, ensuring a diverse range of options for prospective residents, and accommodating various preferences and budgets.

As we explore these neighborhoods further, it’s crucial to uncover the distinctions that make them unique, offering distinct experiences for those contemplating a move to the coveted west side of San José, Costa Rica.

One of the key distinctions between Santa Ana and Escazú lies in the climate. Escazú tends to be 1 or 2 degrees cooler than Santa Ana. Santa Ana, on the other hand, leans towards a slightly warmer and drier climate.

Escazú takes the lead for proximity to San José, with Santa Ana just a quick 5-10 minute drive further. They both have easy highway access and similar driving times to the international airport 20-30 minutes away. Location alone won’t be the deciding factor for most relocators choosing between Escazú and Santa Ana – focus on the specific amenities each town offers, like convenient schools, work centers, or your preferred entertainment, for the perfect Costa Rican home base.

Both Santa Ana and Escazú have a number of excellent schools, both public and private. Some examples of private bilingual schools in Escazú include:

• Blue Valley School, in Guachipelín, Escazú, dedicated to social responsibility and a nurturing learning environment through its Montessori Philosophy and International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
• Lighthouse School in San Rafael de Escazú, focused on a Christian-centered education with its community service program and International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
• True North School in San Rafael de Escazú, placing conscious leadership at the core of their educational program, and offering the first conscious innovation lab in Costa Rica.

Even though there’s a presence of great schools in both areas, transportation between them is simple and fairly common. Therefore, no school should be ruled out solely because of location if they’re found in one of the zones and you’re home is in the other.

Ultimately, the better choice hinges on individual preferences. It’s a personal call, and each neighborhood offers its unique charm to cater to varying tastes and needs, and their own type of community vibe. What is certain is that both Santa Ana and Escazú are great choices to live in!