Major city · Costa Rica
QuesadaCiudad 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid Sep–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- SJO
- Nights
- 0–1 (optional resort stay)
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 Quesada911 ▾
- Police / 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 Quesada, 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; petty theft is low but keep valuables secure in crowded buses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / 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.
- AirportSJO Juan Santamaría International (≈120 km (75 mi), 2½ h by bus).SJO Juan Santamaría International (≈75 mi (120 km), 2½ h by bus).
- Getting aroundCity centre is walkable; local buses connect to Aguas Zarcas, La Fortuna and San José.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₡600–₡900
- BeerBeer (local bar)₡1 000
- Museum or sight ticketWildlife Rescue Center entry₡2 500
- Budget bedBudget hotel double room, a night, per roomCRC 10,000
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel double room, a night, per roomCRC 15,000
- High-end bedBudget hotel double room, a night, per roomCRC 20,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 8,000 · Mid CRC 12,000 · High CRC 20,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- SJO Juan Santamaría International (≈120 km (75 mi), 2½ h by bus)SJO Juan Santamaría International (≈75 mi (120 km), 2½ h by bus)
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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Sep–Oct. 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 Jul (15 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Quesada: 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)
6 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°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
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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wildlife Rescue Center
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
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)
Entry ₡2 500; see rescued tapirs and other native species.
Hot springs (e.g., Tabacón)
cautionDoor to door: ≈45 min
Taxi or bus to nearby resort area, ~30 min
Mainly domestic visitors; check availability and prices.
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 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
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
- ₡8,000–12,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡12,000–18,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡18,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel double room1 × 3 nights × CRC 15,000 | CRC 45,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × CRC 12,000 | CRC 72,000 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 19,500 per person per day, bed included | CRC 117,000 |
Typical price for double room at Hotel Cristal
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₡600–₡900 |
| Beer (local bar) | ₡1 000 |
| Bus San José → Quesadacheck | ₡800 |
| Taxi terminal → centre | ₡800 |
| Wildlife Rescue Center entry | ₡2 500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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QuesadaCiudad Quesada
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in San José; other embassies in San José.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus San José → Quesada: about ₡800, 2½ h (check)
- Taxi terminal → centre: about ₡800, 5 min
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑kool‑pe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra‑see‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan‑toh kwes‑ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don‑de es‑ta el ba‑nyo)
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 Quesada. 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 Sep–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Hotel El Tucano for resort relaxation.
- Include a guided hot‑spring tour from Quesada.
Sources
Ask about Quesada
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