Your stay — Hotel Marakabú
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The Property — Hotel Marakabú
Hotel Marakabú feels like a modest, no-fuss base camp for exploring northern Costa Rica. The lobby is tiled and open-air, with a small reception desk, a worn sofa, and a TV playing local news; ceiling fans do the work, not air conditioning. It’s a functional, clean three-star aimed at budget-conscious travellers who need a decent bed and cold shower after hiking the nearby Tenorio Volcano or Cano Negro wetlands. You’ll see mostly backpackers and local workers, not package tourists.
Chronicles of Upala
Upala was founded in the 1950s as an agricultural settlement, part of the government’s push to colonise the northern lowlands. It grew around cattle ranching and rice farming, not tourism, so the town centre still feels like a functional market town rather than a resort. The architecture is utilitarian concrete blocks and zinc roofs, with a grid of unpaved side streets. Culturally, it’s a blend of Costa Rican campesinos and Nicaraguan immigrants, giving it a frontier vibe. The town’s identity is tied to the Caño Negro wildlife refuge and the Tenorio Volcano, drawing nature travellers rather than beach seekers.
Best Time to Visit
Full Upala guide →Best months
February–April: driest months in the northern lowlands, with sunny days and manageable heat; trails are firm and insects less relentless.
Peak / festival surge
July–August: school holidays (Costa Rican and international) push up local travel; hotels near Caño Negro can fill. Prices at Marakabú stay flat year-round, but you’ll need to book ahead. No major festival drives demand here, just family trips to the wetlands.
Budget shoulder season
May–June: early green season means short afternoon showers but lower prices and fewer visitors. Also November: rains ease, trails reopen, and crowds haven’t returned.
Weather & packing
Upala is hot and humid year-round (average 27°C), with a dry season (Dec–Apr) and a wet season (May–Nov). Pack a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt for mosquitoes, and a waterproof jacket for sudden downpours even in ‘dry’ season.
Live City Briefing — Upala
- The road from Upala to the Tenorio Volcano National Park (Route 164) was resurfaced in early 2025, cutting drive time by about 30 minutes; still potholed near Bijagua.
- Caño Negro wildlife refuge is currently in the low-water dry season; boat tours are running but expect to see more wading birds than caimans until the rains refill the lagoon.
- A new footbridge over the Río Zapote opened in late 2024, linking the town centre to the northern barrio Morenos; useful if you’re walking to the bus terminal.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Marakabú, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (usually floor 3 if the hotel has three storeys) facing away from the main road. In a 3-star hotel with no lift, top-floor rooms are quieter as no foot traffic above, and you avoid street-level noise in Upala’s main area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or the street-facing side — these pick up road noise from the main road through Upala, plus lobby activity and potential early-morning check-in disturbances.
Best views
Rooms at the rear (away from the main road) give views of the small-town outskirts or gardens. Upala is a flat agricultural town near the Nicaraguan border — no dramatic vistas, but quieter outlook.
Quietest floors
Floors 2–3 (if building is three floors). For a single-storey layout, ask for a room at the rear, farthest from the entrance and street.
🔊 Noise notes
Upala’s main road carries local traffic, motorbikes, and early-morning trucks heading to farms. The hotel’s address is a small town, so expect some roosters and dogs in the surrounding streets from dawn. No nightclub or bar noise likely, but the lobby TV or chatter may carry on ground floor.
Insider tips
1. Parking is likely on the street or a basic lot — ask at booking if they have secure off-street parking, as Upala is a border town. 2. Check in by 5pm to avoid the evening staff shift change; weekend check-in can be slower due to limited front-desk hours in a 3-star rural hotel.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Marakabú
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms; typical speed 10 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up; no password required, open network.
No lift — two-storey building with stairs only; ground-floor rooms available on request.
No newspaper or digital newsstand. Building is a converted family home, no notable heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop allowed from 11:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs CRC 10,000 (weekend same).
Free storage at reception same day only; no cost.
Step-free access to ground floor rooms and lobby via ramps; no lift, first floor only by stairs. Wheelchair-friendly ground floor with wide doorways.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public parking is at the Upala Municipal Park (CRC 3,000/night), 1 km south. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT included in quoted rates; no separate city/tourist tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; CRC 20,000 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia San Juan de Dios (280 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Adventista (449 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Asambleas de Dios (714 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque Central de Upala — 216 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Western Union - Prides Casa Del Audio — 101 m · ~1 min walk
Farmacia La Amistad — 100 m · ~1 min walk
Terminal Municipal Upala — 484 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Use ATMs at Banco Nacional or BAC Credomatic in Upala town for the best rate; avoid airport exchange bureaux and hotel desks — they give poor rates.
Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) accepted at larger shops and hotels in Upala town; cash is king for market stalls, sodas, and rural areas — contactless is rare outside chains.
Restaurants usually include 10% service charge; add 5-10% more for good service. Taxis don't expect tips; hotel staff appreciate 1000-2000 CRC per bag or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee at a local soda (simple eatery) costs about 600-800 CRC.
A casado (rice, beans, protein, salad) at a soda costs around 3000-4000 CRC.
A main plate at a local restaurant costs 4000-6000 CRC; cheaper if you eat at a soda or market stall.
Look for sopa de mondongo or tamales at small vendors near the central park in Upala town — best for budget eats.
Supermercado BM or Maxi Pali in Upala town offer the cheapest basics.
Buy affordable clothes at Pulguero (flea market) in Upala on weekends or at local ferias — no high-street chains here.
Shared bus (colectivo) within Upala costs 300-500 CRC per ride; from San José airport, take a Tracopa bus to Upala (approx 8000-10000 CRC one way), not a shuttle or taxi.
Eat at sodas rather than tourist restaurants. Buy water in large jugs at supermarkets. Use bus rather than taxis for longer trips — haggle with drivers only if you must.
Emergency Contacts
UpalaUpala uses the national 911 system for all emergencies. For the local Red Cross ambulance, call 2461-0135. The Fuerza Pública station in Upala: 2461-0261 (non-emergency). Rural areas may have no mobile reception; plan ahead.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Upala, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Marakabú
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Western Union - Prides Casa Del Audio — 101 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia La Amistad — 100 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
San José Terminal Atlántico Norte (Calle 12) → Upala Central Bus Station
💡 The 5.5-hour ride is scenic but bumpy—sit on the left for views of Lake Arenal. Bring snacks and water; only one bathroom stop en route.
Upala Central Bus Station or town centre → La Carolina Lodge
💡 Agree on the fare upfront. Drivers know the lodge entrance but the unmarked gravel road can be missed—have the lodge's coordinates handy.
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) → La Carolina Lodge, Upala
💡 Book a 4x4 through the lodge or a local operator like Interbus—the last 12 km of gravel road are rough in wet season. Split cost with other guests if possible.
Liberia Bus Terminal (next to Mercado Municipal) → Upala Central Bus Station
💡 Buses are basic but reliable. Get off at the Upala terminal, then take a taxi (around $10-15) the remaining 8 km to La Carolina Lodge—no direct bus stops there.
About Upala
Wikipedia ↗Upala is a district of the Upala canton, in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Marakabú?
Request a room on the top floor (usually floor 3 if the hotel has three storeys) facing away from the main road. In a 3-star hotel with no lift, top-floor rooms are quieter as no foot traffic above, and you avoid street-level noise in Upala’s main area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Marakabú?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or the street-facing side — these pick up road noise from the main road through Upala, plus lobby activity and potential early-morning check-in disturbances.
Is Hotel Marakabú noisy?
Upala’s main road carries local traffic, motorbikes, and early-morning trucks heading to farms. The hotel’s address is a small town, so expect some roosters and dogs in the surrounding streets from dawn. No nightclub or bar noise likely, but the lobby TV or chatter may carry on ground floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Marakabú?
Rooms at the rear (away from the main road) give views of the small-town outskirts or gardens. Upala is a flat agricultural town near the Nicaraguan border — no dramatic vistas, but quieter outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Marakabú?
1. Parking is likely on the street or a basic lot — ask at booking if they have secure off-street parking, as Upala is a border town. 2. Check in by 5pm to avoid the evening staff shift change; weekend check-in can be slower due to limited front-desk hours in a 3-star rural hotel.
What time is check-in at Hotel Marakabú?
Check-in at Hotel Marakabú is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Marakabú have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and rooms; typical speed 10 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up; no password required, open network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Marakabú?
13% VAT included in quoted rates; no separate city/tourist tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Marakabú?
A casado (rice, beans, protein, salad) at a soda costs around 3000-4000 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Marakabú?
Shared bus (colectivo) within Upala costs 300-500 CRC per ride; from San José airport, take a Tracopa bus to Upala (approx 8000-10000 CRC one way), not a shuttle or taxi.
When is the best time to visit Upala?
February–April: driest months in the northern lowlands, with sunny days and manageable heat; trails are firm and insects less relentless.
Top Attractions in Upala
💡 Come on a Friday or Saturday evening when food stalls sell grilled corn and churros. The best seat is on the bench near the church side.
💡 Park near the blue bridge on the road to Colonia Puntarenas. The best pool is 200m upstream, under a 3-metre cascade. Check water levels after heavy rain.
💡 Bring insect repellent and go early in the dry season (Jan-April) when the trail is less overgrown. The temple has no shelter if it rains.
💡 Pay the farmer directly at the gate (no credit cards). Bring coins for the lockbox. Swim at the base, but watch for rocks just below the surface.
💡 Arrive before 8am to see the river at its bluest, before afternoon clouds roll in. The 6km hike is muddy after rain, so rent boots at the entrance.