Major city · Costa Rica
Bijagua de UpalaBijagua
Spend 1–2 nights in Bijagua de Upala for volcano hikes, hot springs and wildlife tours between La Fortuna and Guanacaste.
Bijagua de Upala is a quiet valley town between the Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes in North Costa Rica. It works as a one-night stop on the La Fortuna–Guanacaste route or a two-night base for Tenorio National Park, Las Hornillas hot springs and guided wildlife walks. The town itself has few sights; the draw is the surrounding nature.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season, trails can be muddy)
- Airports
- LIR · SJO
- Nights
- 1–2
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
Emergency numbers for Bijagua de Upala911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Bijagua de Upala, 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
- SafetyBijagua is a safe rural town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, 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.
- AirportLIR Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia) (About 1.5 h drive via Route 1 and Route 6).
- Getting aroundWalking covers the town.
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
- LIR Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (Liberia) (About 1.5 h drive via Route 1 and Route 6) · SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport (San José) (About 3.5 h drive via Route 1 and Route 6)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Oct (18 rain days), driest Mar (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bijagua de Upala: 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)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
16 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
17 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
16 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
17 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
18 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 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
Walking covers the town. For Tenorio National Park, Las Hornillas and other attractions you need a car or a tour shuttle. Waze works for driving.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tenorio Volcano National Park (Río Celeste)
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive or tour from Bijagua, about 20 min to the park entrance
Book timed entry online. The main trail to the celeste river and waterfall takes 3–4 h round trip.
Las Hornillas Volcano Hot Springs
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive west on Route 6 then local roads, about 45 min
Mud bath, sauna and hot springs at the foot of Miravalles; US$25 pp (check).
La Fortuna
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Drive via Route 6 and Route 4, about 1.5 h
Arenal Volcano, hot springs and waterfalls; a full-day trip or overnight.
Liberia
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Drive via Route 6 and Route 1, about 1.5 h
Guanacaste's transport hub; airport, bus terminal and supplies.
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.
Bijagua town centre
Basic lodgings and restaurants; closest to bus stop and shops.
Countryside lodges
Casitas Tenorio B&B, Naciente Cristalina Lodge and similar; quieter, often include tours.
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
- Budget
- ₡25,000–40,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡70,000+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Route 6 is winding and can be slippery in rain; drive with care.
- Tenorio National Park entry is by timed ticket: book online ahead.
- Las Hornillas is a 45-min drive west; confirm opening hours and road conditions.
- ATMs are scarce; bring enough colones or dollars from Liberia or La Fortuna.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Bijagua de UpalaBijagua
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The US embassy is in San José; most other embassies are also in San José.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Bijagua → La Fortuna: check
- Bus Bijagua → Liberia: check
- Taxi from town to Tenorio park entrance: check
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (KWAHN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la parada de autobús? — Where is the bus stop? (DOHN-deh es-TAH lah pah-RAH-dah deh ow-toh-BOOS)
- Necesito un médico — I need a doctor (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh)
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 Bijagua de Upala. 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: Dec–Apr · avoid May–Nov (rainy season, trails can be muddy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 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 Bijagua de Upala
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