Iglesia de Aguas Zarcas
Landmark · Arenal & La Fortuna
The colonial-style Catholic church on Aguas Zarcas' central plaza is the town's landmark, visible from much of the valley. The town is named for the turquoise, mineral-rich hot-spring water of the river nearby.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 15 min
- Best time
- any time
- Kids
- 5 / 10
- View
- 4 / 10
- Crowds
- 3 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 10.374253, -84.340903 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Parking
- On the street
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
It's right on Route 140 between Ciudad Quesada and the hot springs of La Palmera — a good leg-stretch with sodas around the plaza.
Be careful
Keep an eye on your belongings in busy town centres, and dress respectfully if you go inside a church.
Places nearby
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Laberinto (San Francisco de La Palmera)Day Passes & Hot SpringsFamily day-out spot north of Ciudad Quesada built around a garden maze, with playgrounds, a restaurant, picnic area and cabins.
- Recreo Verde Hot Springs & SpaDay Passes & Hot SpringsHot-springs complex beside the Río Toro in the hills above Venecia, about 1 h 40 min from the airport: thermal pools, a spa, zipline and canyoning, trails to a small cave, a restaurant, cabins and a campground.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/133800047 · https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aguas_Zarcas · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/133800047