Major city · Costa Rica
Los Chiles
One day covers the Río Frío riverside walk, a boat tour, and a night in a budget hotel; longer stays only for border‑crossing trips.
Los Chiles is a small border town in northern Costa Rica, best explored on foot. The main attractions are the Río Frío wildlife corridor and nearby Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Bus connections to Quesada and San José make day trips easy, and a few budget hotels provide simple overnight options.
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More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airport
- LSL
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Los Chiles911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Los Chiles, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; stay aware of petty theft in markets and possible long queues at the border crossing.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLSL Los Chiles Airport (Small grass runway, no scheduled commercial service).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; streets are numbered.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LSL Los Chiles Airport (Small grass runway, no scheduled commercial service)
Weather and climate
Los Chiles: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; streets are numbered. Buses run hourly to Quesada and twice daily to San José.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h total
Local bus from Los Chiles to the refuge entrance, about 45 min
Excellent birdwatching; entry fee around ₡1,500.
Río Frío riverside walk
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min round trip
Walk north from the dock along the marked trail
Spot howler monkeys and many bird species.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel y Restaurante Wilson Tulipán
≈ ₡10,000–12,000 per night, free Wi‑Fi, breakfast
Cabinas Jabiru
≈ ₡8,000–10,000, near bus station
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Backpacker
- ₡33,000–48,000 excl. bed
- Mid-range
- ₡90,000–150,000 excl. bed
- Comfort
- ₡240,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Bus San José – Los Chiles5 h ride, twice daily | ₡2,100 |
| Soda meal (e.g., Soda Andrea)Typical local dish | ₡1,200–3,300 |
| Budget hotel nightHotel y Restaurante Wilson Tulipán | ₡10,000–12,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Direct bus to San José departs at 11:00 and 15:00; seats fill quickly.Direct bus to San José departs at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM; seats fill quickly.
- Boat service to San Carlos, Nicaragua has been suspended since 2018.
- Border crossing can involve long queues; bring cash for fees.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Los ChilesLos Chiles
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Los Chiles. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Los Chiles
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