Alajuela.
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Overview

Alajuela is a city in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, near San José. It is not to be confused with Alajuela Province, which extends north from the city of Alajuela to North Costa Rica.

Understand

There is not very much to see in the city itself, but Alajuela is an excellent spot for beginning and ending a trip in part due to "San José" Airport being here.

Get in

From San José (Estación Alantico) tickets are ₡1,005 (April 2020).

Get around

On foot Alajuela is small enough to take in by foot. You can see the entire downtown in one afternoon.

By bus There are lots of public buses that criss-cross the city or travel to nearby towns. There are two main bus companies, TUASA and Station Wagon, that provide service between Alajuela and the capital, San Jose. There are also buses that depart to other nearby towns like Sarchi, San Ramon, Heredia, and Poas. Also, you can catch buses to farther destinations that regularly travel through Alajuela on the way to Pacific destinations.

By car Taxis are often the easiest and a cheap way to get around the town. Taxies are red and there are many taxi stands scattered around the city. While the orange airport taxies will accept US dollars, the red taxies will only accept colones. Tipping is not expected, but you can let a taxi driver keep the change.

See

The Central Cathedral. Alajuela's Central Cathedral is the very center of the town as is traditional in colonial Spanish urban planning. The church is pretty, but not a spectacular piece of architecture. In front of the cathedral is the central park which is a nice spot for people-watching and you may get a glimpse of wildlife such as parrots and a sloth that is an elusive resident.

Iglesia La Agonía. Five blocks east of the Central Cathedral, this landmark church has an ornate Baroque style, even though it was built in 1941.

Parque Juan Santamaría. Alajuela is the hometown to Juan Santamaría, the Costa Rican National Hero. Around the city you can see the location of his home, although now there is just a small plaque and garden as the house in long gone. A block south of the Central Park is the Juan Santamaría park with a statue of the hero and a small collection of 1860s-era cannons.

Museo Histórico Cultural Juan Santamaría. A block north of the Central Park is the Juan Santamaría Museum, which shows some era pieces explaining the legacy of Juan Santamaría and the 1856 campaign against the filibuster invaders led by U.S. Southerner William Walker, who finagled their way into the Nicaraguan presidency and wanted to take control of Central America.

Do

For the nearby Braulio Carrillo National Park and Poás Volcano National Park see region article on Central Valley.

Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. Alajuela is home to Liga Deportiva Alajuelense ("La Liga") soccer club. It is a powerhouse in the Costa Rican soccer league and is regularly ends first or second in the Costa Rican First Division. The Morera Soto Stadium is very close to downtown and tickets are usually inexpensive. While the Alajuela crowd will be enthusiastic, Alajuela does not suffer from hooliganism, thus taking in a game is appropriate even for single women and families.

The will take you to the top of the volcano in the Poás Volcano National Park and then return you to Alajuela after several hours.

Buy

Hairdresser. Cheap hairdressers all over the city, in case you want to get a cut before returning home.

City Mall. Four story mall, dozens of stores and food options, feels very much like a big American mall. A clean and air-conditioned place to relax before your flight out. There is a bookstore here full of new books, mostly in Spanish.

Eat

Miski Perú. Great Peruvian food, especially the spicy creamed chicken. Owners run the shop and are very friendly and happy to talk (mostly in Spanish).

Sleep

Budget There are small hotels and hostels catering to budget travelers. However, they tend to be somewhat overpriced due perhaps to the city's proximity to the international airport.

Habitationes con excelente ubicaion. Proper family-run guesthouse. The area does not to seem to be the safest, but just be a little curious.

Mitamon B&B Casa Aeropuerto. Excellently rated hostel with a friendly lady as owner. Spotless cheats and a decent kitchen. Close enough to the airport for walking. The area does not to seem to be the safest, but just be a little curious.

Alajuela Backpackers Hostel. So you'd have to book through an aggregator. The rooms are cozy and clean, the view from the rooftop bar/restaurant is amazing even though the prices are on the high side and there's a free airport shuttle.

Hotel Aeropuerto. 5 minutes west of the SJO San Jose Airport. This hotel offers free transportation to and from the airport 24 hours.

Alajuela City Hotel & Guest House. Occupying a former historic home, this tranquil lodging features a courtyard with gurgling fountain and free wifi and breakfast.

Hotel Pura Vida. Offers a relaxed garden atmosphere with two friendly dogs and complimentary homemade breakfast along with restaurant for other meals.

Hotel La Rosa de America. This hotel offers sparking clean accommodation in twelve rooms and two family suites arranged in cabinas, located around a large beautifully maintained tropical garden and swimming pool. Breakfast at the restaurant is included.

Vista Atenas Bed & Breakfast. 35 minutes from San José International Airport, the lush rolling countryside, with its bountiful fruit orchards and sweeping valley vistas, transforms as you ascend the winding mountain road that brings you to Vista Atenas B&B.

Casa Amanecer Bed and Breakfast. A B&B that focuses on sustainability, that encompasses how the house was designed and built, vegetarian meals, and day-to-day operations, which include recycling and composting. It supports Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica. Volunteer opportunities are available: just ask.

Trapp Family Country Inn. The Trapp Family Country Inn is 1.6 km from Juan Santamaría International Airport. Comfortable accommodations along with genuine family service in a peaceful atmosphere. This colonial style hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens with centenary fig trees.

Casa Cielo Grande. Great entry/exit point for travellers, minutes away from main tourist pick up points and the airport. Provides comfortable rooms with memory foam mattresses, private bathrooms, restaurant and beautiful surroundings such as Doka coffee fields and Poas Volcano.

Airport Hotel Berlor. 5 minutes from Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica (SJO), breakfast and free shuttle to the airport. Rooms with A/C, cable TV, free Wi-Fi. outdoor swimming pool and safe parking.

Xandari Resort and Spa. The elegant Xandari Resort and Spa sits in the central valley region of Costa Rica, 20 minutes from the international airport. The central valley is wrought with volcanoes, lush plantations, and hillsides, and blessed with outstanding weather. San José is a short drive away and offers an abundance of international cuisine, shops, open markets and entertainment.

Hampton Inn. All of the expected amenities of a Hampton Inn (e.g. pool, full breakfast, gym, corporate look).