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By car · Full day · about 111.4 km in total

A day in Ciudad Quesada, from the cathedral to the volcanoes

San Carlos' main town on foot (park, cathedral and market) and, if it is clear, the drive up to San Vicente to see four volcanoes.

Ciudad Quesada is cooler and rainier than La Fortuna. The park, the cathedral and the market are a few blocks apart, so you can do the centre on foot. If the day is clear, drive up to San Vicente; if it rains, stay with the cathedral and the market, which have roofs, and save San Vicente for another day.

Step by step

  1. Ciudad Quesada Central Park

    Free

    Ciudad Quesada and around · 46.7 km from the central park

    Start at the park, with its 1953 bandstand. Sometimes there are fairs or free shows.

    View page · Directions with Google Maps

  2. Ciudad Quesada Cathedral

    Free with conditions

    Ciudad Quesada and around · 47 km from the central park

    It is right opposite. If it is open and there is no Mass, step in to see Édgar Zúñiga's Christ the Redeemer.

    View page · Directions with Google Maps

  3. Ciudad Quesada Municipal Market

    Free with conditions

    Ciudad Quesada and around · 46.6 km from the central park

    A few blocks away. Walking around is free; if you have lunch here, the traditional food is paid.

    View page · Directions with Google Maps

  4. San Vicente above Ciudad Quesada and its volcano views

    Free with conditions

    Ciudad Quesada and around

    9.1 km · 17 min from the previous stop

    Drive up to the highest point of the village. On clear days you can see Arenal, Rincón de la Vieja, Miravalles and Tenorio. It is cold; bring warm layers.

    View page · Directions with Google Maps

Back to La Fortuna: 55.6 km · 1 h 07 min

Route map

The plan's stops. Distances are driving estimates calculated with OpenStreetMap.

Before you set out

  • Since 23 October 2026, a stretch of Route 141 has been closed in downtown Ciudad Quesada. Check the detour before you set out.
  • Before driving up to San Vicente, check IMN's live weather station to see whether it is clear.
  • Without a car, see the Ciudad Quesada by bus plan.

Sources

  1. San Carlos Digital – El parque de Ciudad Quesada cumplió 70 años Local media

    sancarlosdigital.com · published · checked on

  2. San Carlos Digital – La historia del Cristo Redentor de la catedral de Ciudad Quesada Local media

    sancarlosdigital.com · published · checked on

  3. ICT — Guía turística Llanuras del Norte (flipbook, p. 66) Official

    ict.go.cr · checked on

  4. Teletica – San Vicente de San Carlos, la joya turística que da sus primeros pasos National media

    teletica.com · published · checked on

  5. IMN – Condiciones actuales del tiempo en San Vicente de Ciudad Quesada (estación automática) Official

    imn.ac.cr · checked on

  6. San Carlos Digital – Colapso de alcantarilla obliga a cerrar paso en el centro de Ciudad Quesada Local media

    sancarlosdigital.com · published · checked on

  7. Enrutador FOSSGIS/OSRM sobre datos de OpenStreetMap (routing.openstreetmap.de) Map

    routing.openstreetmap.de · checked on

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