Introducing Upala
Just 9km south of the Nicaraguan border in the northwestern corner of the northern lowlands, Upala is a small but thriving town that serves a widespread community of some 15, 000 people. A center for the area’s cattle and rice industries, Upala is linked to the Interamericana by an excellent paved road and regular bus service, and it enjoys some apparent affluence. Most visitors are Costa Rican businesspeople, who arrive in town to negotiate for a few dozen calves or a truckload of grain.
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In the past, the only real reason to come to Upala was, for instance, to enjoy Nicaraguan radio. However, more travelers are passing through these days as the town serves as a comfortable base for visiting Caño Negro, and it’s a good jumping off point for the border crossing at Los Chiles.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Border cross point between Nica and the CARIBBEAN side of CR?
by SoloHobo 30 August 2011
Unless I am mistaken, you can cross the RSJ at Los Chiles, and from there get a bus to Upala, and then a bus to San Jose, about 3.5 hours…
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RE: Travel to Nicaragua from Costa Rica
by SoloHobo 31 July 2011
From Cano Negra to Upala and Los Chiles is about 2 hours, from La Fortuna to Los Chiles 4 hours. Once you are on Nica side, whats your…
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RE: roads in the north of Costa Rica
by wiremu 04 June 2011
the roads in cano negro are all gravel and can be a bit rough in parts. but probably no issues with mud. there may be a shallow mudhole…
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