Destinations
Our most popular destinations in Central America
  • Tour Ideas
Holiday Ideas
  • Travel Style
  • Interests and Activities
  • Tour Ideas by Month
  • Continents and Regions
An update from Evaneos
Alajuela

Alajuela (Costa Rica)

Practical information about Alajuela

  • Volcano
  • Place or Historical Monument
3 / 5 - One review
How to get there
45 minutes by bus from the capital San José
When to go
From December to April
Minimum stay
1 to 2 days

Reviews of Alajuela

Les globe blogueurs Travel writer
8 travel articles

Alajuela is a big city close to San José. In the shadow of the capital, it is an interesting departure point for visiting the North of the country and its volcanoes.

My suggestion:
Choose Alajuela for going to explore the Poas Volcano (37 kilometres away). A public bus allows you to get there easily without spending a fortune on an organised visit. 
Summary:

Though San José didn't leave us with an everlasting memory, Alajuela gave us a glimpse of the sweetness of living in Costa Rica. It's a simple city, not lacking in charm. To fully enjoy the city's atmosphere, don't miss strolling in the central park where the inhabitants come to feed the several squirrels and pigeons who are far from being shy.

The city does not have spectacular sites, but some places like the cathedral, the Juan Santamaria Museum (a national hero) and the parks are nice monuments away from the crowd that other tourist spots of the country experience. This city allows you to immerse yourself in the daily life of Costa Ricans and that's why we advise you to choose it as a base for visiting the surroundings. 

Statue of Tomás Guardia Gutiérrez, the figure of Alajuela and the first military man to govern Costa Rica