Upala is a district of the Upala canton, in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica.

History

Upala was granted the title of "ciudad" (city) by a law of May 4, 1970.

Geography

Upala has an area of 148.65 km2 and an elevation of 48 metres. It is in the northwest corner of the San Carlos Plain (Llanura de San Carlos) in northern Costa Rica, 76 km southeast of La Cruz, 124 km northwest of Ciudad Quesada, 195 km from the provincial capital city of Alajuela, and 214 km from the national capital city of San José.

Demographics

For the 2011 census, Upala had a population of 16,139 inhabitants.

Transportation

Road transportation

The district is covered by the following road routes:

Economy

Upala is a supply center for cattle ranchers and rice growers in the area. A hospital, bank, medical clinic, pharmacy and gas station are here. There is a busy commercial marketplace in the town center where vendors sell fruits, vegetables and a wide array of other home-grown products. Several small restaurants share the market area, and there are other restaurants and a few places to stay in the town.

Nearby places of interest

Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge: a watery lowland of lush sloughs and marshes, a seasonal lake, and abundant wildlife. The area is a birdwatcher's paradise. (37 km east of Upala via Highway 4 to Colonia Puntarenas and Highway 138 to Caño Negro)

Climate

This area typically has a pronounced dry season. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Upala has a tropical savanna climate, abbreviated "Aw" on climate maps.