Upala aka "Middle of Nowhere" Costa Rica
A little-visited part of Costa Rica.
Unique
Couples
Romance
Luxury
Sustainable
Relaxation
Remote
Why Visit Bijagua, Upala?
Upala is north of the Tenorio National Park and close to Lake Cocibolca, just across the border with Nicaragua. It's a lowland region and way off the beaten track and a center of the local agricultural industry; it's famous for its cacao production and pineapples. But the main reason to come to Upala and more specifically, Bijagua, is to experience the rainforest in a little-known part of Costa Rica.
Here's why this part of Costa Rica is worth visiting:
- Origins Lodge: The Upala area is home to one of Costa Rica's most beautiful and remote boutique hotels, tucked away on a jungle hillside. Well worth a stay for people who want to get off the beaten path.
- Access to Nature. This part of Costa Rica may well be famous for its cacao and pineapples, but there are wild parts, too. Upala is close to the Tenorio National Park to the south and the wetlands of the Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve to the east.
Where to Stay
Upala is a remote area with few places to stay. You'll find some isolated jungle lodges in this part of Costa Rica.
Things to Do
The rainforests provide hiking and wildlife watching opportunities, and horseback riding, river tubing, and rafting are available.
Experience the Rainforest in Upala
Suppose you're looking to get off the beaten path in Costa Rica, to a part of the country where almost no other tourists visit, consider Upala's canton. This part of Costa Rica sits in the country's north, surrounded by national parks, wildlife refuges, and Lake Nicaragua itself, just across the border. The highlight of the area is, without doubt, the upscale and boutique Origins Lodge.
Best Time to Travel to Upala
The best time to visit this part of the country is during the dry season, from December to May. However, September, October, and November can get very wet in the Upala area.
Weather in Upala
The weather in Costa Rica is generally quite wet year-round. This is because there are many rainforests in Upala, and many things grow. But it's less wet from December to April, the traditional dry season in Costa Rica. It's worth noting that this reason sees quite a bit of flooding during a heavy rainy season, particularly in September, October, and November. Temperatures remain hot and humid all year round.
Is Upala Safe?
This is a safe part of Costa Rica as far as crime goes. It's a rural area with a low population density. However, you should take care here during the peak of the rainy season when flooding can occur.
How to get to Upala
Outside of Liberia, Guanacaste Airport (Airport Code LIR) is the closest international airport to Upala.
Distance & Driving Time to Upala
From LIR Airport: 70 miles (113 kilometers), about 2 hours.
All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. This means you're all set when you arrive in-country - just sit back, relax, and our driver will get you to your destination.
If you're driving from Guanacaste Airport to Upala, give yourself a couple of hours. If you're renting a car at the airport, allow yourself an hour to sort that out.
Once you have your car, drive out of the airport and turn left. You'll head towards Liberia and hit a junction with the PanAmerican Highway. Turn right and keep heading south towards the town of Cañas. You'll see an intersection before you get to Cañas (after passing through Bagaces). Take that right-hand turn and head north on Ruta 6.
Keep following this road to Upala, and you'll arrive soon enough.