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Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica
Quesada
Ciudad Quesada
Spend a day in Quesada to see nearby hot springs or the Wildlife Rescue Center; skip overnight unless you book a resort stay.
Quesada is a commercial hub in North Costa Rica with few tourist sights itself, but hot‑spring resorts and the Wildlife Rescue Center lie nearby. A single day is enough for a quick visit; longer stays are only for resort relaxation.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Local name
- Ciudad Quesada
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Avoid
- Sep–Oct (rainy season)
- Stay
- 0–1 (optional resort stay) nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡8,000–12,000 excl. bed · Mid ₡12,000–18,000 excl. bed · High ₡18,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ₡600–₡900 |
| Beer (local bar) | ₡1 000 |
| Bus San José → Quesada | ₡800 |
| Taxi terminal → centre | ₡800 |
| Wildlife Rescue Center entry | ₡2 500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SJO · Juan Santamaría International
- ≈120 km (75 mi), 2½ h by bus≈75 mi (120 km), 2½ h by bus
Typical fares
- Bus San José → Quesada
- about ₡800, 2½ h (check)
- Taxi terminal → centre
- about ₡800, 5 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
City centre is walkable; local buses connect to Aguas Zarcas, La Fortuna and San José. Taxis cost about ₡800 from the bus terminal to centre.
See and do
Known for
- Hot springs resorts nearby
- Wildlife Rescue Center
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Rescue Center | Bus from Plaza San Carlos to Aguas Zarcas (≈30 min), then local transport 8 km (5 mi)Bus from Plaza San Carlos to Aguas Zarcas (≈30 min), then local transport 5 mi (8 km) | ≈1 h total |
| Hot springs (e.g., Tabacón) | Taxi or bus to nearby resort area, ~30 min | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Cristal
- Budget; ₡10 000 double room, fan, TV, free Wi‑Fi
- Hotel La Central
- Mid‑range; ₡16 000 double room, private bath
- Hotel El Tucano Costa Rica
- Up‑range resort about 8 km (5 mi) out, mainly Costa Rican guestsUp‑range resort about 5 mi (8 km) out, mainly Costa Rican guests
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑kool‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑see‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwan‑toh kwes‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?don‑de es‑ta el ba‑nyo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Tourist services are limited; many hot‑spring resorts cater mainly to locals – check opening times.
- Bus schedules can change; confirm departure times at Plaza San Carlos terminal.
Generally safe; petty theft is low but keep valuables secure in crowded buses.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Quesada yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 (optional resort stay) nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Hot springs resorts nearby
- Wildlife Rescue Center
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Quesada: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Quesada
- Wikivoyage: Quesada, revision 5108538 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5108538
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
QuesadaCiudad Quesada
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Ambulance911
US consulate in San José; other embassies in San José.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/quesada). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.