San Ramón’s history begins with the arrival of the European settlers in this part of the central valley in the early 1840’s. These primary colonizers established traditional farms in the area, many of which are are either still operational or have since been converted to the cultivation of the region's three main export crops: Tropical ornamentals, sugar cane, and coffee. The name San Ramón was bestowed by two prominent figures in the establishment of the town, Ramon Solís and Ramon Rodriguez who placed the area under the protection of Saint Raymond. In 1854 the village of San Ramón de los Palmares was elevated in status to municipality then, in 1856, five schools were funded which was the beginning of the Municipality of San Ramón's legacy as the main educational, and later commercial, hub of the canton. Since 1876 San Ramón has also served as the governmental center of Alajuela Province's second largest district which is also named San Ramón.

Despite the low latitude position of San Ramón, the temperatures tend to be very mild year-round: 21-27 C (70-80 F). This is largely due to the city's altitude of 1,057 m (3,468 ft.) above sea level. June through October is considered the rainy or "Green" season with November to May considered the "dry season." Diurnal periods are very predictable due to Costa Rica's low North latitude: The sun rises in San Ramon by about 05:45 and sets at 18:30 with very little variation throughout the year. This regular cycle is further evident in the precipitation patterns, particularly during the rainy season. As the morning sun rises, air which is already moist due to a certain amount of orographic lift being added by the Pacific Ocean, is further loaded by evapotranspiration wherein water drawn from the ground by plants and trees is transpired into the atmosphere. This leads to a relatively consistent pattern of mostly dry mornings followed by rains in the afternoon, usually beginning around 14:00. Rains can last for a short period, or for several hours, and there is a seemingly equal chance that there will either be a downpour or a drizzle. Evenings can be cooler than one might expect due to altitude, and cooler still in the evenings following a rain event.