Market Insights

Why Bijagua is Costa Rica’s Best-Kept Secret for Nature Lovers

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Mar 25, 2026
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3 min read

Discover why Bijagua de Upala is emerging as one of Costa Rica’s most exciting destinations for nature, eco-living, and peaceful mountain lifestyles

Tucked between the majestic Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes, the rural town of Bijagua de Upala is quickly gaining attention as one of Costa Rica’s most remarkable hidden destinations.

Unlike crowded beach towns, Bijagua offers something increasingly rare: authentic nature, tranquility, and space. Surrounded by cloud forests, wildlife corridors, and lush farmland, the region feels untouched while still being accessible.

The town is best known as the gateway to Río Celeste, the famous turquoise river located inside Tenorio Volcano National Park. But the real magic of Bijagua goes beyond the park.

Visitors and residents enjoy birdwatching, jungle hikes, horseback riding, organic farms, and waterfalls scattered throughout the area. The region is also home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including toucans, sloths, monkeys, and hundreds of bird species.

Despite its peaceful atmosphere, Bijagua remains within driving distance of the Guanacaste coast, allowing residents to enjoy both mountain living and Pacific beaches.

For those seeking privacy, natural beauty, and long-term potential, Bijagua is quietly becoming one of the most exciting places to live in Costa Rica.

One of the most unique aspects of Bijagua is its location. While the town feels secluded and immersed in nature, it remains within reach of Costa Rica’s famous Pacific coast of Guanacaste. Beaches like Playa Hermosa, Playa Panamá, and Flamingo are accessible within roughly an hour to an hour and a half, allowing residents to enjoy both mountain serenity and coastal lifestyle.

This balance between nature and accessibility is one of the reasons Bijagua is attracting increasing interest from international buyers and investors. Large land parcels, stunning views, and relatively low development density create opportunities for private estates, eco-lodges, boutique hotels, and sustainable homes.

The region has also become a center for eco-tourism and conservation, with many projects focused on protecting wildlife corridors and forest ecosystems. As a result, Bijagua appeals strongly to buyers seeking a lifestyle that blends comfort with environmental awareness.

For those looking beyond the traditional beach markets of Costa Rica, Bijagua represents something rare: a place where nature remains the main attraction, where development is thoughtful and low density, and where the surrounding landscape still feels untouched.

At Bioleste, we believe the volcanic highlands around Bijagua represent one of the most exciting opportunities in Costa Rica today — a region where mountain tranquility, natural beauty, and long-term investment potential meet.