Alajuela, Costa Rica

Central To Costa Rica's Most Popular Destinations

Alajuela is a larger Costa Rican city about 20 minutes north of San Jose on the Autopista (main highway) surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. A happy recipient of the Central Valley’s perpetual spring-like weather, Alajuela’s proximity to the International Airport, the Capitol and most all of Costa Rica’s most popular attractions makes it one of the most visited cities in the country. Alajuela has a bustling city center with active shopping and central park. But also, quick access to the Autopista puts you within 10 minutes of the Cariari mall, and 20 minutes of all the shopping, services, culture, restaurants and nightlife that San Jose has to offer. From there, you’re never more than a short drive to competent and affordable dental clinics, and world-class healthcare at Cima Hospital. And in Escazu, you can shop at the world famous Multiplaza and Avenue 5 malls.

Surrounding towns and cities within 30 minutes of Alajuela are Grecia, La Garita, Alajuela, San Antonio Belen, Heredia, Santa Ana, Escazu, San Jose and Guachapaline. Or you can travel on the Autopista for 15 minutes south toward San Jose to access the new Calderon Highway, which connects you to the Pacific Beaches in less than an hour. From there, you can go south to the surfing towns of Jaco, Hermosa, Dominical & Manual Antonio where there’s the most visited national park in the country. Or head north into Guanacaste where you’ll find the Nicoya Peninsula, Samara, Flamingo & Tamarindo where you’ll be on Costa Rica’s only notoriously white sandy beaches.

Virtually all of Costa Rica’s most popular activities are only 1 to 3 hour’s drive from Alajuela. Activities like canopy tours, surfing, deep sea fishing, fresh water fishing, volcano tours, coffee plantation tours, camping, hiking, ATV’ing, horseback riding, zip-lining, waterfalls and hot springs, white water rafting or kayaking and much more. The possibilities are endless in this amazing country that you couldn’t possible see all of in 1 lifetime.

.