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San Rafael del Norte, Nicaragua

Jinotega Department · Nicaragua

San Rafael del Norte is a small city in Jinotega Department, Nicaragua with a population of 5,458. Elevation: 3,547 ft (1,081 m). Average temperature: 68°F (20°C).

Data updated June 2026

5,458 Population 43/sq mi density
3,547 ft Elevation 1,081 meters
68°F Avg Temperature 20°C
57.2 in Annual Rain
America / Managua Timezone

Discover San Rafael del Norte, Nicaragua

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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Full City Profile

About San Rafael del Norte

San Rafael del Norte

San Rafael del Norte is a municipality and a town in the Jinotega department.

People

Population5,458
Density43/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp68°F (20°C)
Rain57.2 in/yr
Sunny Days232/yr
Elevation3,547 ft (1,081 m)
Population5,458
Population Density43 / sq mi
Elevation3,547 ft (1,081 m)
Coordinates13.2125°, -86.1109°
TimezoneAmerica/Managua
Country🇳🇮 Nicaragua
State / ProvinceJinotega Department
Average Temperature68°F (20°C)
January Average65°F (18°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Annual Precipitation57.2 inches (1,454 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About San Rafael del Norte

San Rafael del Norte is a small city in Nicaragua (Jinotega Department) with a population of 5,458. The city sits at an elevation of 3,547 feet (1,081 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 68°F (20°C). Temperatures range from 65°F in January to 69°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 57.2 inches. The timezone is America/Managua.

San Rafael del Norte enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 65°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 232 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 57.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 3,547 feet.

Temperature

65°F Jan (18°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average68.3°F
26% above Nicaragua avg
January Average65°F (18°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days232 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,547 ft (1,081 m)
Area128.0 sq mi (331.5 km²)
Population Density43/sq mi
Coordinates13.2125°N, 86.1109°W
TimezoneAmerica/Managua

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 57.2"
51% above Nicaragua avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 9.33"
Driest Month (Mar) 0.79"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

315 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M6.1. Most recent: M4.8 on Aug 1, 2025.

Jun 10, 2016 Nicaragua M6.1 102 km
Apr 10, 2014 16 km SW of Valle San Francisco, Nicaragua M6.1 95 km
Sep 15, 2016 11 km NNE of La Paz Centro, Nicaragua M5.7 103 km
Apr 27, 1992 24 km SSE of Corinto, Nicaragua M5.7 149 km
Jul 23, 2005 5 km E of Tisma, Nicaragua M5.6 127 km
Mar 9, 2007 4 km W of Santa Cruz, Honduras M5.6 138 km
Oct 1, 2004 1 km WNW of Villa El Carmen, Nicaragua M5.6 143 km
Sep 28, 2016 20 km NNE of Nagarote, Nicaragua M5.5 96 km
Jul 6, 2000 6 km SW of Granada, Nicaragua M5.4 148 km
Jul 12, 2020 5 km WNW of El Crucero, Nicaragua M5.4 136 km
Jun 22, 1990 17 km E of Granada, Nicaragua M5.4 148 km
Apr 12, 2001 1 km NNW of Nagarote, Nicaragua M5.4 115 km
Mar 24, 2019 28 km SW of Nagarote, Nicaragua M5.3 144 km
Feb 24, 2024 9 km W of El Realejo, Nicaragua M5.3 145 km
Aug 3, 2022 4 km N of La Paz Centro, Nicaragua M5.3 111 km
Apr 11, 2014 13 km WSW of Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua M5.3 128 km
Jun 10, 2016 21 km S of Somotillo, Nicaragua M5.2 98 km
Aug 2, 2002 20 km SW of Nagarote, Nicaragua M5.2 136 km
Aug 6, 1999 12 km SW of Larreynaga, Nicaragua M5.2 90 km
Jun 14, 2016 16 km ESE of Puerto Morazán, Nicaragua M5.2 110 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

9 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 4.

Year Name Category Closest
2022 Julia Category 1 184 km
2020 Eta Category 4 206 km
2020 Iota Category 4 112 km
2016 Otto Category 3 289 km
2009 Ida Category 1 274 km
2007 Felix Category 4 186 km
2005 Beta Category 2 255 km
1996 Cesar Category 1 231 km
1988 Joan:miriam Category 4 181 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Nearby Volcanoes

15 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Esteli (32 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Esteli Fissure vent(s) 899 m (2,949 ft) Unknown 32 km
Momotombo Stratovolcano 1,270 m (4,167 ft) 2016 99 km
Rota Stratovolcano 832 m (2,730 ft) Unknown 101 km
Pilas, Las Complex 1,088 m (3,570 ft) 1954 101 km
Negro, Cerro Pyroclastic cone(s) 728 m (2,388 ft) 1999 101 km
Telica Stratovolcano(es) 1,036 m (3,399 ft) 2018 104 km
Lajas, Las Shield 926 m (3,038 ft) Unknown 110 km
Apoyeque Pyroclastic shield 518 m (1,699 ft) -50 111 km
San Cristobal Stratovolcano 1,745 m (5,725 ft) 2019 112 km
Nejapa-Miraflores Fissure vent(s) 360 m (1,181 ft) 1060 124 km
Masaya Caldera 594 m (1,949 ft) 2020 137 km
Granada Fissure vent(s) 300 m (984 ft) Unknown 144 km
Mombacho Stratovolcano 1,344 m (4,409 ft) Unknown 155 km
Cosiguina Stratovolcano 872 m (2,861 ft) 1859 160 km
Zacate Grande, Isla Stratovolcano 640 m (2,100 ft) Unknown 165 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP). Sorted by distance.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 65°F (18°C) 2.5 in Coldest
February 66°F (19°C) 1.4 in
March 68°F (20°C) 0.8 in Driest
April 70°F (21°C) 1.5 in
May 71°F (22°C) 5.4 in Warmest
June 70°F (21°C) 9.3 in Wettest
July 69°F (21°C) 6.7 in
August 69°F (20°C) 6.5 in
September 69°F (21°C) 8.9 in
October 69°F (21°C) 8.2 in
November 67°F (19°C) 3.7 in
December 66°F (19°C) 2.4 in

San Rafael del Norte has a seasonal temperature swing of 6°F / from 65°F in January to 71°F in May. Total annual precipitation is 57.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (9.3") and March the driest (0.8").

View full weather details →

Schools in San Rafael del Norte

3 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Instituto Nacional Angela Siles de Rivera
Escuela Jose Mamerto Martinez
Escuela Elieta Rizo
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near San Rafael del Norte

1 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
Stereo Beso 94.5 FM bachata, baladas MP3 320 kbps

Museums in San Rafael del Norte

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Casa de Cultura "Leonel Rugama"
Casa de cultura Noel Ortuño
Casa Museo Blanca Aráuz
Museo de Historia y Arqueología Dr. Alejandro Dávila Bolaños
Museo del Café
Museo Municipal
Museo Santuario El Tepeyac

Libraries in San Rafael del Norte

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Biblioteca Municipal0.0

Farmers Markets in San Rafael del Norte

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Mercadito
Mercadito El Sandino
Mercado Municipal de Jinotega
Mercado Municipal de San Rafael del Norte
Mercado Municipal de San Sebastián de Yalí

Restaurants in San Rafael del Norte

5 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Comedor El ciprés
Comedor Vargas
Parador Isabelia
Restaurante Los Encuentros
Restaurante Taurus

Cafes in San Rafael del Norte

2 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Coffee Lovers
Grower's coffe house cooperative

Clinics in San Rafael del Norte

1 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Clínica Nazareth

Bus Stations in San Rafael del Norte

1 bus stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Terminal de autobuses

Gas Stations in San Rafael del Norte

1 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Petronic

Stadiums & Teams in San Rafael del Norte

TeamLeagueDivision

Airports Near San Rafael del Norte

9 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Barrio El Aterrizaje AirportSmall Airport
Boaco AirportSmall Airport
Dos Montes AirportSmall Airport
El Papalonal AirportSmall Airport
Estelí AirportSmall Airport
JinotegaSmall Airport
La Cumplida AirportSmall Airport
San Jose AirportSmall Airport
Santa Elena AirportSmall Airport

Post Offices in San Rafael del Norte

1 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Enitel

Churches & Religious Organizations in San Rafael del Norte

4 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Centro de Retiro Espiritual
Parroquia San Marcos Evangelista
Parroquia San Rafael Arcángel
Santuario María Reina de La Paz

Quick Facts

Timezone
America/Managua

🇳🇮 About Nicaragua

Capital Managua
Population 6,465,513
Area 129,494 km²
GDP (USD) $17,805,842,284
GDP per capita $2,609
HDI 0.706
Life expectancy 75.0 years
Internet users 58.2%
Urban population 59.1%
Currency NIO (Cordoba)
Languages Spanish
Calling code +505
TLD .ni
Driving side right

Public Holidays in Nicaragua

12 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Feb 1 Air Force Day Air Force Day
Apr 2 Holy Thursday Holy Thursday
May 1 Labour Day Labour Day
May 27 Army Day Army Day
Jul 19 Liberation Day Liberation Day
Sep 14 Battle of San Jacinto Battle of San Jacinto
Sep 15 Independence Day Independence Day
Oct 12 Indigenous Resistance Day Indigenous Resistance Day
Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Immaculate Conception
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 31 New Year's Eve New Year's Eve

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Frequently Asked Questions About San Rafael del Norte

What is the population of San Rafael del Norte?

San Rafael del Norte has a population of 5,458 residents and is located in Nicaragua. The population density is 43 people per square mile, spread across 128.0 square miles.

What is the weather like in San Rafael del Norte?

San Rafael del Norte enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winter temperatures average 65°F in January, while summers reach an average of 69°F in July. The area receives 232 sunny days per year. Annual rainfall totals 57.2 inches.

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