Our favorite hotels and eco-lodges in Upala, Costa Rica

The Upala area is home to one of Costa Rica's most beautiful and remote boutique hotels, tucked away on a jungle hillside. Well worth a stay for people who want to get off the beaten path.

Best Places to Stay in Upala, Costa Rica

Origins Lodge

Upala

See a Sloth

Nature & Wildlife

Wildlife & Birdwatching in Caño Negro by Boat

Explore Nature by Boat

Hanging Bridges and Rainforest Guided Hike - Heliconias Reserve 

Heliconias Reserve 

Kayaking in Costa Rica

Kayaking

Adrenaline

Beach Fun

Santa Rosa National Park Guided Hike

National Parks

Upala is a remote area with few places to stay. You'll find some isolated jungle lodges in this part of Costa Rica.

The rainforests provide hiking and wildlife watching opportunities, and horseback riding, river tubing, and rafting are available.

<h2>Experience the Rainforest in Upala</h2>Suppose you're looking to get off the beaten path in Costa Rica, to a part of the country where almost no other tourists visit, consider Upala's canton. This part of Costa Rica sits in the country's north, surrounded by national parks, wildlife refuges, and Lake Nicaragua itself, just across the border. The highlight of the area is, without doubt, the upscale and boutique Origins Lodge.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648161662/hanging_bridges_and_rainforest_guided_hike_heliconias_reserve_rainforest_overview_upala_eff2cdc58e.jpg" alt="hanging-bridges-and-rainforest-guided-hike-heliconias-reserve-rainforest-overview-upala.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648161662/thumbnail_hanging_bridges_and_rainforest_guided_hike_heliconias_reserve_rainforest_overview_upala_eff2cdc58e.jpg 245w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648161663/small_hanging_bridges_and_rainforest_guided_hike_heliconias_reserve_rainforest_overview_upala_eff2cdc58e.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648161663/medium_hanging_bridges_and_rainforest_guided_hike_heliconias_reserve_rainforest_overview_upala_eff2cdc58e.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648161663/large_hanging_bridges_and_rainforest_guided_hike_heliconias_reserve_rainforest_overview_upala_eff2cdc58e.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><h3>Best Time to Travel to Upala</h3>The best time to visit this part of the country is during the dry season, from December to May. However, September, October, and November can get very wet in the Upala area.<h3>Weather in Upala</h3>The weather in Costa Rica is generally quite wet year-round. This is because there are many rainforests in Upala, and many things grow. But it's less wet from December to April, the traditional dry season in Costa Rica. It's worth noting that this reason sees quite a bit of flooding during a heavy rainy season, particularly in September, October, and November. Temperatures remain hot and humid all year round.<h3>Is Upala Safe?</h3>This is a safe part of Costa Rica as far as crime goes. It's a rural area with a low population density. However, you should take care here during the peak of the rainy season when flooding can occur.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1652291054/origins_lodge_villa_exterior_overview_upala_331b32a1e4.jpg" alt="origins-lodge-villa-exterior-overview-upala.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1652291054/thumbnail_origins_lodge_villa_exterior_overview_upala_331b32a1e4.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1652291055/small_origins_lodge_villa_exterior_overview_upala_331b32a1e4.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1652291055/medium_origins_lodge_villa_exterior_overview_upala_331b32a1e4.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1652291055/large_origins_lodge_villa_exterior_overview_upala_331b32a1e4.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;<h2>How to get to Upala</h2>Outside of Liberia, Guanacaste Airport (Airport Code LIR) is the closest international airport to Upala.<h3>Distance &amp; Driving Time to Upala</h3>From LIR Airport: 70 miles (113 kilometers), about 2 hours.All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. This means you're all set when you arrive in-country - just sit back, relax, and our driver will get you to your destination.If you're driving from Guanacaste Airport to Upala, give yourself a couple of hours. If you're renting a car at the airport, allow yourself an hour to sort that out.Once you have your car, drive out of the airport and turn left. You'll head towards Liberia and hit a junction with the PanAmerican Highway. Turn right and keep heading south towards the town of Cañas. You'll see an intersection before you get to Cañas (after passing through Bagaces). Take that right-hand turn and head north on Ruta 6.Keep following this road to Upala, and you'll arrive soon enough.

Upala aka "Middle of Nowhere" Costa Rica

Adults-Only

"Nowhere", Costa Rica: Isla Chiquita and Upala

"Nowhere", Costa Rica

Isla Chiquita Glamping Hotel is really the only place to stay on the island. And we can't complain!

The whole point of Isla Chiquita is to lose yourself in nature on a tropical island in Costa Rica. 

Isla Chiquita

Beach

Island

Luxury

Adventure

Countryside

Arenal Volcano and  "Middle of Nowhere" Upala

Arenal Volcano and "Middle of Nowhere"

Culture

Waterfalls

Relaxing

From luxurious five-star options with fantastic volcano views to the more cozy three-star boutique options. There are no all-inclusive resorts, but the service is generally excellent!

There is so much to do in the Arenal area! Hot springs, hikes, nature reserves, hanging bridges, waterfalls, etc.

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna

Arenal Volcano

Rainforest

Volcano

Freshwater Fishing

Fly Fishing

Relaxation

Group Travel

Boutique

Sustainable

Cloud Forest & Haute Cuisine: Monteverde and BIjagua, Upala

Cloud Forest & Haute Cuisine

The Monteverde area offers a mix of accommodation, from hostels and B&Bs, to unique eco-resorts. We recommend booking in advance.

Monteverde is known for great zip lines, hanging bridges, rich biodiversity, photography, birdwatching and so much more. 


Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde

Cloud Forest

Honeymoon

Remote

Costa Rica's Treasures: Remote Countryside in Upala and Nosara Beach

Costa Rica's Treasures

There are plenty of hotels and rentals around Nosara. If you are looking to go outside the beaches, check south of Playa Guiones before Playa Garza, as there are some excellent hotels/resorts.

Surf and sunsets! Nosara also has great outdoor activities and a laidback atmosphere. Enjoy a yoga class right on the beach.

Nosara

Unique

Romance

Teen-friendly

Couples

Destination: Paradise: Visit Eco Lodge in Upala and Manuel Antonio

Destination: Paradise

There are various options from budget-friendly to very high-end. Most places are either walkable to the beach and surrounded by jungle or just a few minutes drive.

Aside from a few days of sunbathing and swimming at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, there is so much to do in the area. 

Manuel Antonio

National Park

Blue Marlin

Snapper

Mahi Mahi

Rooster

Sailfish

Fishing

Deep Sea

FADS

Inshore Fishing

Wahoo

Yellowfin Tuna

Eco-Extravaganza Collection: La Paz - Vara Blanca Cloud Forest and Bijagu Upala Jungle Lodge

Eco-Extravaganza Collection

The Peace Lodge and La Paz Waterfall Gardens often merge, but they're separate. 

There's no doubt about it - the trails and stairwells that follow the Rio La Paz and its waterfalls are a major highlight.

La Paz - Vara Blanca Cloud Forest

La Paz

Exotic Costa Rica: La Paz and Upala aka "Middle of Nowhere"

Exotic Costa Rica

Foodie's Dream Vacation, Costa Rica Edition: Jungle Lodge in Upala and San José

Foodie's Dream Vacation: Costa Rica Edition

San José and the Greater Metropolitan Area have many places to stay. You may want to stay just across the street from the airport if you are there for the night. 

The Central Valley is the most culturally exciting area in Costa Rica, with museums, art galleries, theaters, and colonial structures spread evenly across the cities. 

San José

Golf

Lavish Costa Rica: Upala and Papagayo

Lavish Costa Rica

There are five-star hotels such as the Four Seasons, Andaz Hotel, Ritz Carlton, and more to come. Also, top-of-the-line homes can be found. These villas are perfect for large families or groups of friends. 

If you're interested in getting in touch with the ocean, down at the marina, plenty of boats and yachts can be found. There are also many beach access points to enjoy a nice swim in the calm waters. 