San Carlos Costa Rica Travel Advisory: Flood Safety Guide
GUIDE · COSTA RICA
Key Facts
- —The country Costa Rica is a Central American country popular with US travellers, and San Carlos is a northern canton that includes the Arenal and La Fortuna tourist area.
- —Why it matters The US State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, for crime, and it says flooding is common in the rainy season from April to October.
- —Why now Storms on Thursday 15 October 2026 flooded Aguas Zarcas, and the weather institute expects more isolated intense afternoon storms on Friday 16 October.
- —What happened The Red Cross logged 45 incidents in the northern zone, evacuated four people and saw route 250 close for about an hour.
- —The numbers Arenal volcano national park drew 126,965 visitors in 2022, and the weather institute forecast 15 to 30 millimetres of rain in one to three hours for the 15 October storms, with local peaks of 40 to 60.
- —What it means for you Plan drives for the morning, check the forecast and alerts first, and never cross water you cannot see through; the national emergency number is 9-1-1.
- —Still open The emergency commission’s alert level for the Zona Norte on 15 and 16 October could not be confirmed, and no official closed-road list is public.
- —Power Index Costa Rica ranks 9th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 36.5 points (October 2026 edition).
This San Carlos Costa Rica travel advisory guide covers flood safety after the storms of Thursday 15 October 2026. The Red Cross logged 45 incidents in the northern zone, and no account we read reports a death.
The US State Department rates Costa Rica at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, with crime as the stated risk. Its country page has no separate notice for San Carlos, and our news report, Costa Rica San Carlos Floods Evacuate 4, has the damage details.
The San Carlos Costa Rica Travel Advisory Picture
The State Department page says flooding is common in the rainy season, which it dates from April to October. It names Limón, Puntarenas and Guanacaste as the most affected provinces, while San Carlos lies in Alajuela.
The same page warns that flash floods and severe landslides occur in many parts of Costa Rica. It adds that some roads may be blocked by landslides during the rainy season.
The page shows more than one issue date, so we do not quote a date for the Level 2 rating. Check travel.state.gov for the current text before you fly.
Two Costa Rican agencies matter most here: the national emergency commission, the CNE, and the weather service, the IMN. The CNE issues colour-coded alerts, and the IMN publishes daily forecasts at imn.ac.cr.
Delfino.cr reported a green CNE alert covering the Zona Norte on 2 October, for rain expected through that weekend. CNE executive president Alejandro Picado Eduarte told people not to enter rivers or streams when it is raining or they are swollen.
We could not confirm the CNE alert level for 15 or 16 October, because the commission’s website blocked our check. Treat any alert shown on its own site as the official word.
What Happened in San Carlos on 15 October
Thursday’s storms flooded homes and shops in Aguas Zarcas, La Palmera and Venecia, and damaged a ford in Florencia. Diario Extra and La Nación report four evacuations, and Diario Extra adds a closure of route 250 lasting about an hour.
The IMN had forecast 15 to 30 millimetres of rain in one to three hours, with local peaks of 40 to 60 millimetres. It also warned of gusts up to 80 km/h in isolated storms.
For Friday 16 October the IMN expects a partly cloudy morning and isolated but intense afternoon storms with thunder. In the Zona Norte it says the rain will again concentrate near the mountains.
This was not the first such episode. San Carlos Digital counted 60 incidents in nine districts after rain on Sunday 16 August, and our explainer, San Carlos Costa Rica Economy and Agriculture Explained, looks at what that means for local farms and trade.
Route 250 and What to Check Before Driving
Diario Extra said route 250 was closed for about an hour on Thursday after a stream overflowed. The accounts we read describe no later closure, but a new storm could bring one.
First, read the IMN forecast on the morning you drive, because storms in this region build in the afternoon. On Friday the institute expects the rain to start over the mountains and spread to lower ground.
Second, check the CNE alert for the Zona Norte and the local outlets, such as Diario Extra, La Nación and San Carlos Digital. Third, ask your hotel or tour operator which roads are passable that day.
The State Department tells drivers not to drive through water if they cannot see its depth. It also says to take care when crossing moving water, such as riverbeds.
It adds that travellers should try not to drive outside urban areas at night. Rain and darkness together make rural driving harder, so plan to arrive before dusk.
Fords and low bridges are the weak points after heavy rain. A ford near the Platanar hydroelectric plant in Florencia suffered structural damage on Thursday, according to La Nación.
The public works ministry, the MOPT, lists regional offices and social media accounts on its home page, which we opened on 16 October. We found no live road-status page there, and the road-safety council, COSEVI, offers none on its home page either.
La Fortuna and Arenal Visitors
La Fortuna, the gateway to Arenal volcano, was one of nine San Carlos districts that reported incidents after the August rain. The accounts of 15 October do not mention La Fortuna or its tourist sites.
Arenal volcano national park drew 126,965 visitors in 2022, according to the export promoter PROCOMER’s 2024 regional profile. That is an annual count for 2022, so it shows scale rather than today’s crowds.
Keep afternoon plans flexible, and ask your hotel before you set out for waterfalls, hanging bridges or hot springs. Rivers rise fast after a storm even when the sky above you is clear.
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, in Los Chiles, drew 9,035 visitors in 2022 in the same profile. Wetlands and river crossings need extra care in heavy rain, so follow your guide’s advice.
What It Means for US Readers
US visitors face a weather and roads problem in San Carlos this week, not a security alert. Nothing we found closes tourist sites or tells foreigners to stay away.
Save 9-1-1 in your phone, since the CNE tells people to call it in any emergency. Read your travel insurance terms for weather disruption, because policies differ.
For the seasonal picture see our Costa Rica Weather and Climate Guide 2026, and for rules on hiring or driving a car see Driving in Costa Rica: Home Licence Valid for Whole Stamped Stay, Swap Costs US$11. Anyone planning a longer stay can read Living in Ciudad Quesada: A 2026 Guide for Expats in Costa Rica.
What Is Not Known
We could not confirm the CNE alert level for the Zona Norte on 15 or 16 October. We also have no official list of closed roads, and route 250 may close again in new storms.
The IMN forecast text we read had no weekend outlook, so Saturday and Sunday conditions are unclear. No damage total for San Carlos has been published.
The State Department page shows inconsistent issue dates, so the date of its last review is unclear. No source we opened says whether the advisory will change after the floods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel to San Carlos and La Fortuna now?
The accounts of the 15 October floods describe damaged homes, shops and one closed road, not closed tourist sites. Check the forecast, alerts and road status before afternoon trips.
What is the US State Department advisory for Costa Rica?
It is Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, with crime as the stated risk. The page also says flooding is common in the rainy season and that flash floods and landslides occur in many parts of the country.
Which road was closed on 15 October?
Diario Extra reported that route 250 was closed for about an hour after a stream overflowed. We found no report of a later closure.
Where can I check weather and alerts?
The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional publishes daily forecasts and warnings at imn.ac.cr. The Comisión Nacional de Emergencias publishes its colour-coded alerts at cne.go.cr.
What should I do at a flooded road or ford?
Do not drive through water if you cannot see its depth, as the State Department advises. Turn back or wait, and call 9-1-1 if anyone is in danger.
What is the emergency number in Costa Rica?
The national emergency number is 9-1-1. The CNE tells people to use it in any emergency.
Sources: US Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Advisory, opened 16 October 2026; Instituto Meteorológico Nacional, forecast for Friday 16 October 2026; Delfino.cr, CNE declara alerta verde en casi todo el país por aumento de lluvias, 2 October 2026; Diario Extra, Fuertes lluvias provocan inundaciones en San Carlos, 15 October 2026; La Nación, Fuertes lluvias de este jueves dejan 45 incidentes y cuatro personas evacuadas en la zona norte, 15 October 2026; San Carlos Digital, Lluvias dejan 60 incidentes en nueve distritos de San Carlos, 17 August 2026; PROCOMER, Caracterización de las regiones de Costa Rica (Huetar Norte profile), 2024; Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes, home page; COSEVI, home page.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief