Alajuela Province district, Costa Rica

Places to visit near Upala

Upala is a town in Alajuela Province district, Costa Rica, home to about 4,185 people. Within 50 km by road there are 63 places to visit — 14 hill stations & viewpoints, 19 rivers, islands & mangroves, 5 beaches & coast and 13 wildlife, forests & gardens. The must-see places are Volcán Tenorio (32 km), Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge (34 km) and Tenorio Volcano National Park (36 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Upala on the map

Upala at a glance

Location
Alajuela Province district, Costa Rica
Population
about 4,185
Coordinates
10.8979° N, 85.0145° W
Places within 50 km
63 (6 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves

Top places to visit near Upala

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Upala: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Upala, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Upala

70 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Upala. The closest is Cerro Olla de Carne (19 km); the best-known is Volcán Tenorio (32 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Rivers, islands & mangroves near Upala

50 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Upala. The closest is Río Guacalito Viejo (20 km). Best time: september to february.

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Beaches & coast near Upala

38 beaches & coast within 100 km of Upala. The closest is Punta El Roble (24 km). Best time: october to march.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Upala

34 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Upala. The closest is Refugio de Vida Silvestre Lagunas Las Camelias (15 km); the best-known is Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge (34 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Waterfalls near Upala

29 waterfalls within 100 km of Upala. The closest is Bijagua Waterfall (27 km); the best-known is La Leona Waterfall Costa Rica (44 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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Forts & heritage near Upala

18 forts & heritage within 100 km of Upala. The closest is Mojòn XIII (16 km). Best time: october to february.

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A one-day trip from Upala

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 143 km on the road.

  1. Start in Upala
  2. 15 km Refugio de Vida Silvestre Lagunas Las Camelias · nature spot, Alajuela Province
  3. 26 km Mojòn XIII · heritage site
  4. 21 km Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge · nature spot, Alajuela Province
  5. 43 km Tenorio Volcano National Park · national park, Alajuela Province
  6. 6 km Volcán Tenorio · viewpoint, Guanacaste
  7. 32 km Back to Upala

Plan a longer trip from Upala — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Upala

No traveller has reported from around Upala yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Upala

    All places near Upala by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Upala by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints1470Cerro Olla de Carne (19 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves1950Río Guacalito Viejo (20 km)
    Beaches & coast538Punta El Roble (24 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1334Refugio de Vida Silvestre Lagunas Las Camelias (15 km)
    Waterfalls629Bijagua Waterfall (27 km)
    Forts & heritage118Mojòn XIII (16 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs38Laguna Caño Negro (31 km)
    Other attractions27Volcanic Thermal Mud Pools (34 km)
    Museums07Casa del General Tomás Guardia Gutiérrez (61 km)
    Parks03Reserva Silvestre Privada Montecristo (78 km)
    Caves02Cavernas de Venado (58 km)
    Treks01Selvatura Hangingbridges (83 km)
    Churches01Mario Cañas Ruiz Park (69 km)

    Upala: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Upala?

    Volcán Tenorio (viewpoint, about 32 km), Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge (nature spot, about 34 km), Refugio de Vida Silvestre Lagunas Las Camelias (nature spot, about 15 km), Tenorio Volcano National Park (national park, about 36 km), Mojòn XIII (heritage site, about 16 km), Cerro Olla de Carne (viewpoint, about 19 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Upala?

    63 places on Spotwander: 14 hill stations & viewpoints, 19 rivers, islands & mangroves, 5 beaches & coast, 13 wildlife, forests & gardens, 6 waterfalls.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Upala?

    Cerro Olla de Carne, about 19 km by road; Cerro Cucaracha (27 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest river spot to Upala?

    Río Guacalito Viejo, about 20 km by road; Río El Zapote (22 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest beach to Upala?

    Punta El Roble, about 24 km by road; Punta El Guacalito (24 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Upala?

    Start in Upala, visit Refugio de Vida Silvestre Lagunas Las Camelias, then Mojòn XIII, then Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, then Tenorio Volcano National Park, then Volcán Tenorio, and drive back — about 143 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Upala?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves.

    Towns near Upala

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Upala’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Upala on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.