pura vida passENES

Parque Central de Ciudad Quesada

Park · Arenal & La Fortuna

The shady central square of San Carlos' biggest town, with a green-and-yellow bandstand under big trees, benches and the cathedral across the street. An easy break on the road between La Fortuna and the plains.

Cost
Free
Time there
30 min
Best time
any time
Kids
5 / 10
View
3 / 10
Crowds
5 / 10
Swimming
0 / 10
Effort
0 / 10
Location
10.32322, -84.43097 — Google Maps

Tip

Combine it with the cathedral and the municipal market a block away for an easy 45-minute stroll.

Be careful

City-centre petty theft happens: keep phones and bags close and don't leave anything visible in the car.

Places nearby

  • La Vieja Adventures — Ciudad Esmeralda canyon (Río La Vieja)Tours & Adventure · from $40Guided wade-and-hike through a narrow, moss-walled canyon of the Río La Vieja above Ciudad Quesada, ending at the Zafiro waterfall and its turquoise pools.
  • Termales del BosqueDay Passes & Hot SpringsLong-running hot-springs hotel in the forest outside Ciudad Quesada, with thermal pools by a river, an ecological trail and a spa; popular with Costa Rican families.
  • Zoológico y Centro de Rescate La MarinaParks & WildlifeFamily-run, non-profit rescue center on a cattle ranch on Route 140, caring for around 80 native species — many confiscated pets — and known for breeding tapirs.
  • Reserva Natural Montaña SagradaParks & WildlifeA 700-hectare community-funded reserve inside Juan Castro Blanco National Park, 9 km east of Sucre, protecting the springs that feed 200+ rural water systems.
  • Bio Thermales Hot SpringsDay Passes & Hot Springs · from $2Low-key eco hot-springs park north of Aguas Zarcas: 15 free-form mineral pools, from steaming upper pools on a thermal creek to a cool spring pool with a slide, set in rainforest with picnic ranchos — a fraction of the price of the La Fortuna resorts.
  • Termales La CascadaDay Passes & Hot SpringsLocal-style hot-springs complex on the thermal belt north of Aguas Zarcas: a dozen pools from warm to hot, plus covered ranchos with grills — a weekend favorite of Tico families, at an affordable price.

Sources: OpenStreetMap way/89527934 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/89527934 · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ciudad_Quesada_Central_Park