# Zapotal District, Nandayure Canton, Guanacaste Province

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nandayure/zapotal/

District · Nandayure Canton 

# Zapotal

Zapotal is a district of Costa Rica in Nandayure Canton, Guanacaste Province. It had an estimated **1,261 people** in 2021 on 105 km² (about 12 per km²). 16 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 12 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 1,261people (2021)
- 105km²
- 12mapped services
- 80 mtypical elevation

## How many people live in Zapotal?

Zapotal had an estimated **1,261 people** in 2021 — 10.7% of Nandayure Canton, 444th of 472 districts. There are 908 women for every 1,000 men (close to the Nandayure Canton figure of 910). Spread over 105 km², that is about **12 people per km²**, 447th of 472 districts.

20.6% of people are children under 15 and 11.6% are 65 or older; the median age is about 34 years (it is 33 across Nandayure Canton). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 47 children and older people.

0–4 ****82**

5–9 ****94**

10–14 ****84**

15–19 ****87**

20–24 ****100**

25–29 ****112**

30–34 ****99**

35–39 ****95**

40–44 ****87**

45–49 ****78**

50–54 ****72**

55–59 ****65**

60–64 ****60**

65–69 ****47**

70–74 ****37**

75+ ****62**

Source: [Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, population 2021 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-cri).

## Where is Zapotal?

Zapotal lies in [Nandayure Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nandayure/), [Guanacaste Province](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/), [Costa Rica](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/). It borders 7 other districts: [Bejuco](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nandayure/bejuco/), [Carmona](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nandayure/carmona/), [Huacas](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/hojancha/huacas/), [Monte Romo](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/hojancha/monte-romo/), [Porvenir](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nandayure/porvenir/), [Puerto Carrillo](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/hojancha/puerto-carrillo/) and [Santa Rita](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nandayure/santa-rita/). By area it is the 156th largest of 492 districts in Costa Rica. It covers 18.5% of [Nandayure Canton](https://wherepedia.org/costa-rica/guanacaste/nandayure/). The centre of Zapotal is about 136 km in a straight line from San José, the capital. The centre point is at 9.9352° N, 85.3235° W.

Source: [Costa Rica National Statistics Office (NSO) via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-cri).

## Things to see in and around Zapotal

### Nearby, outside Zapotal

- Antigua Gasolinera Carmona · ruins, Carmona10 km
- Mayorga Nipote · castle or fort, Carmona10 km
- Museo Islita · museum, Bejuco12 km
- cascada · waterfall, Bejuco12 km
- Islita overview · viewpoint, Bejuco12 km
- Playa San Miguel · beach, Bejuco14 km
- Parador Fotográfico Hojancha · attraction, Hojancha17 km
- Café Diriá · attraction, Hojancha17 km
- Mirador de Carrillo · viewpoint, Puerto Carrillo19 km
- Mirador de Carrillo · viewpoint, Puerto Carrillo19 km

Source: [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

Named attractions, museums, viewpoints, historic sites and natural features mapped in OpenStreetMap. Places of worship are not listed.

## Know before you go: Zapotal

- Time zoneUTC−6, no daylight saving · America/Costa_Rica
- CurrencyColon (CRC)
- Country calling code+506
- LanguagesSpanish, English
- Plug typesType A, B · 120 V
- Driving sideRight
- Postcode format5 digits (#####)

### Nearest airports

- Nosara Airport (NOB) · Nicoya36 km
- Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) · Liberia77 km

### Daylight

Days are longest in Jun (about 12.7 hours, sunrise around 05:20) and shortest in Dec (about 11.5 hours, sunrise around 05:49, sunset around 17:22).

Source: [GeoNames country and time-zone files (CC BY 4.0)](https://www.geonames.org/); [Wikidata (CC0) — plug types, mains voltage, driving side; retrieved 2026-11-03](https://www.wikidata.org/); [OurAirports (public domain)](https://ourairports.com/data/).

Airports with scheduled passenger flights; straight-line distances. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of each month in local standard time. Check entry and visa rules with official government sources before travelling.

## Villages and localities in Zapotal

Open gazetteers list **16 villages, towns and localities** in Zapotal. Settlements here lie between about 23 m and 515 m above sea level (median 80 m).

- Altos de Mora
- Cabeceras de Río Ora
- Camaronal
- Cuesta Bijagua
- El Carmen
- La Leona
- Manzanales
- Ora
- Río Blanco Este
- Río Ora
- Río de Ora
- Río de Oro
- San Martín
- San Pedro
- Soledad
- Zapotal

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Geofabrik extract — named settlements](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright).

## Landscape and landmarks of Zapotal

Named natural and historic features inside Zapotal, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

16 rivers and streams.

- Quebrada Agua Fresca
- Quebrada Bijagua
- Quebrada Bárbara
- Quebrada Cacao
- Quebrada Camaronal
- Quebrada Gemelas
- Quebrada Guapes
- Quebrada Mangos
- Quebrada Negra
- Quebrada Palo
- Quebrada Silvia
- Río Chiles
- Río Leona
- Río Mora
- Río Ora
- Río Perros

### Coast and islands

1 beach.

- Playa Camaronal

### Hills and mountains

2 mountains; 2 hills.

- Cerro Maquencal · 540 m
- Cerro Manzanales · 303 m
- Alto Coro · 149 m
- Cerro La Mora · 79 m

Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/).

Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate.

## Weather in Zapotal and the best time to visit

Using the climate of Nandayure Canton, the warmest month is Apr (average 29 °C) and the coolest is Nov (26 °C). About 1,726 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Oct (337 mm) and the driest Feb (4 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **December to January**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 28 7 

Feb 28 4 

Mar 29 5 

Apr 29 38 

May 28 220 

Jun 27 227 

Jul 27 182 

Aug 27 227 

Sep 27 303 

Oct 26 337 

Nov 26 151 

Dec 27 24 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Nearest hospital, bank and fuel from Zapotal

Need Nearest mapped Distance 

Hospital Cruz Roja Hojancha · Hojancha 17 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=10.06105&mlon=-85.41846#map=17/10.06105/-85.41846) 

Bank Banco Nacional · Carmona 10 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.99318&mlon=-85.25366#map=17/9.99318/-85.25366) 

ATM Davi Vienda · Sámara 23 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.88295&mlon=-85.52855#map=17/9.88295/-85.52855) 

Petrol pump Servicentro Nandayure · San Pablo 14 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=10.03035&mlon=-85.24287#map=17/10.03035/-85.24287) 

Hotel Palmetto Lodge - the Luxury B&B and Remote-Working Space in Costa Rica · Bejuco 8.4 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.86013&mlon=-85.31448#map=17/9.86013/-85.31448) 

Mall Plaza Hojancha · Hojancha 17 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=10.05797&mlon=-85.41898#map=17/10.05797/-85.41898) 

School Escuela Río de Ora · Zapotal 1.8 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.94646&mlon=-85.33499#map=17/9.94646/-85.33499) 

College Colegio Técnico Profesional de Nandayure · Carmona 11 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=10.00897&mlon=-85.25553#map=17/10.00897/-85.25553) 

Police station Delegación Policial de Porvenir · Porvenir 5.9 km [Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=9.90160&mlon=-85.28134#map=17/9.90160/-85.28134) 

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Straight-line distance from the centre of the division, within 40 km.

## Hospitals, banks and other services in Zapotal

Places mapped inside Zapotal in open map data, by type.

- Schools9
- Restaurants2
- Police stations1

Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/).

Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown.

## Other districts in Nandayure Canton

- Bejuco
- Carmona
- Porvenir
- San Pablo
- Santa Rita

## Quick answers

- Where is Zapotal?In Nandayure Canton, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
- What is the population of Zapotal?1,261 (2021 estimate)
- What is the median age in Zapotal?About 34 years (2021 estimate)
- What is the population density of Zapotal?About 12 people per km²
- What borders Zapotal?Bejuco, Carmona, Huacas, Monte Romo, Porvenir, Puerto Carrillo and Santa Rita
- What is there to see in Zapotal?Antigua Gasolinera Carmona, Mayorga Nipote, Museo Islita, cascada
- What time zone is Zapotal in?UTC−6
- What currency is used in Zapotal?Colon (CRC)
- What language is spoken in Zapotal?Spanish, English (main languages nationally)
- How many villages are in Zapotal?16 named settlements (GeoNames, OpenStreetMap)
- What is the elevation of Zapotal?Settlements lie between 23 m and 515 m
- What is the highest point in Zapotal?Cerro Maquencal (540 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit Zapotal?December to January
- Where is the nearest hospital to Zapotal?Cruz Roja Hojancha, about 17 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest bank to Zapotal?Banco Nacional, about 10 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest ATM to Zapotal?Davi Vienda, about 23 km from the centre
- Where is the nearest petrol pump to Zapotal?Servicentro Nandayure, about 14 km from the centre
- What is the P-code of Zapotal?CR50903 (OCHA common operational dataset)