Upala City
City in Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Near Costa Rica’s northern wetlands, Upala serves birdwatchers heading to Caño Negro, offers hot springs and river guides for fishing or gentle rafting trips.
Upala at a Glance#
Costs: USD 30-70 per day - very affordable local prices; eco‑tours and guided trips can raise the daily spend.
Safety: Generally safe with border-area caution - generally safe but exercise caution near border areas and after dark due to occasional incidents.
Best Time: December to April (dry season) - dry season keeps wetlands accessible and improves wildlife viewing.
Why Visit Upala?#
Upala is a northern Costa Rican hub for wildlife-minded travelers, positioned near wetlands and forested parks that host abundant birdlife. The town functions as a jumping-off point for Caño Negro and nearby reserves, where boat safaris and guided birdwatching reveal toucans, herons and howler monkeys. Rustic eateries serve Costa Rican staples and fresh local fruit, and visitors value the region’s hands-on eco-tourism and agricultural character.
Best Things to Do in Upala#
Upala Bucket List#
Upala Central Park (Parque Central de Upala) - Town square with the municipal church, local markets and daily community life.
Iglesia de Upala (Parish Church) - Prominent local church near the central plaza serving as a community landmark.
Mercado Municipal de Upala - Bustling market selling fresh produce, local cheeses and typical Costa Rican snacks.
Bijagua hot springs (near Tenorio) - Less-crowded thermal pools south of Upala, popular after Río Celeste hikes.
Local cattle ranch tours - Small ranches offer horseback rides and insight into northern Guanacaste farming traditions.
El Castillo viewpoint - Local hill viewpoint offering wide valley panoramas, best at sunrise or late afternoon.
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge - World-class wetland for birdwatching and guided boat safaris on Río Frío.
Tenorio Volcano / Río Celeste - Hike to the luminous Río Celeste within Tenorio National Park for turquoise waters.
Arenal Volcano National Park - Iconic volcano area with hot springs, trails and wildlife viewing about two hours away.
Best Time to Visit Upala#
Upala is hottest and steamiest before and during the rainy season; visit in the dry months (Dec-Apr) for easier travel and outdoor activities. Bring rain gear in the wet season.
December - April
24-34°C (75-93°F)
Hot and sunny with low rainfall - best for cross-border travel and outdoor markets, but heat can be intense midday.
May - November
23-30°C (73-86°F)
Frequent heavy afternoon storms make travel unpredictable; roads can flood, though vegetation becomes lush and dramatic.
March - May
26-36°C (79-97°F)
Hottest months with sweltering afternoons - perfect if you like heat, but avoid strenuous daytime activities.
Upala's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 33°C. Heavy rainfall (2678 mm/year), wettest in August.
January
January is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (145 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is hot, feeling like 29°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (174 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (330 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (344 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (371 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (318 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (294 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (317 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (201 mm).
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Upala#
How to Get Around Upala#
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Where to Stay in Upala#
Liberia / Upala area - $20-60/night
Upala has limited hotel inventory; budget travellers often stay in Liberia or nearby towns where simple inns and guesthouses are more common.
Liberia hotels (Booking.com) - Budget and basic lodging listings nearby
Visit Costa Rica - Official regional tourism information
Liberia - $60-130/night
Mid-range options are concentrated in Liberia: comfortable chain hotels and regional boutique hotels that are the most convenient for visitors to Upala.
Liberia hotels (Booking.com) - Mid-range hotels near Upala region
Hilton Garden Inn Liberia Airport - Reliable mid-range, airport-adjacent hotel
Liberia / Papagayo - $140-300/night
Upala itself lacks luxury hotels. For upscale stays with full services, book in Liberia or the Papagayo/Liberia airport area.
Liberia hotels (Booking.com) - Search for higher-end hotels in the region
Selected premium listings (local sites) - Best available higher-comfort properties nearby
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Upala’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Upala#
Shopping in Upala covers essentials: supermarkets, local markets, bakeries and shops for daily supplies. For specialty goods or larger stores, travellers typically go to provincial centres with broader retail options.
Local markets are the best place for fresh produce and regional items.
Nightlife in Upala#
Nightlife is modest and focused on local bars, restaurants and community venues. There are no major clubs; most evenings are casual and centered on dining or socialising in small venues.
