Upala Airport

Upala Airport is a small regional airstrip serving this agricultural corner of the Alajuela province, and the dining scene reflects that intimacy perfectly. There's no sprawling food court here — instead, you'll find that most travelers grab a bite in town before heading to the tarmac. The airport's modest waiting area occasionally has a small refreshment stand stocked with cold drinks, packaged snacks, and sometimes fresh fruit, which in this tropical region means something genuinely wonderful.

The real reward is stepping just outside the airport perimeter and exploring Upala's local sodas, the casual family-run restaurants that define Costa Rican everyday cooking. A classic casado — rice, black beans, fried plantains, salad, and your choice of grilled chicken or fish — is the dish to order. Look for freshwater fish preparations, since this region's proximity to Lake Nicaragua and local rivers means cooks here have a particular way with tilapia and guapote that you won't easily find in San José.

If you're connecting through Upala on a charter or light aircraft, build in thirty minutes to grab a coffee and a pan de yuca or empanada from one of the bakeries on the main street. The coffee, sourced from nearby highland cooperatives, is strong and honest. Locals drink it black or with a generous pour of warm milk, and either way it's the kind of cup that makes you understand why Costa Rica is genuinely proud of its coffee culture. Don't rush past it.