Alajuela

Introducing Alajuela

Alajuela is known as Costa Rica’s second city, though this diminutive status is perhaps unwarranted. In addition to having a rich colonial history, Alajuela is an attractive place resonating with a warm and welcoming vibe that is virtually absent from the capital. Its mango-tree-lined center is as relaxed as any you’ll find in the provinces, and the soaring whitewashed cathedral is a testament to the city’s past as a colonial administrative center for nearby coffee plantations. Alajuela is also clean, modern and full of hard-working urbanites, who take their jobs almost as seriously as their football.

Alajuela is not a ‘destination’ for tourists, though it’s a convenient base if you’re flying into or out of the nearby airport, or if you plan on spending a few days exploring the north of the valley. And although Costa Rican cities are nowhere near as beautiful as historic cities in Mexico, Guatemala or Nicaragua, the crumbling colonial buildings in the city center are attractive, especially when the sun is beaming overhead. So, take a stroll, eat some ice cream and grab a beer if the local football team Liga Alajuelense is playing (especially if it’s against its arch-rival Saprissa!).

Orientation & Information

Central Alajuela is a pedestrian-friendly grid of calles (streets) and avenidas (avenues). Although street signs are never a guarantee in Costa Rica, Alajuela is fairly well signed and easy to navigate. The city center is at the intersection of Calle Central and Av 1.

BYTE (441 1142; cnr Calle 3 & Av 1, 2nd fl; per hr US$0.75; Mon-Sat) Internet access.

Clínica Norza (441 3572; Av 4 btwn Calles 2 & 4) Open 24 hours with basic medical services.

Goodlight Books (430 4083; Av 3 btwn Calles 1 & 3) If you’ve got a long trip (or flight) ahead of you, stop by and visit the friendly and always helpful owner, Larry. In addition to selling used and new books, Larry also runs a small café and provides Internet access and useful tourist information.

Hospital San Rafael (441 5011; Av 9 btwn Calles Central & 1)

Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT; 442 1820) There’s no tourist office, but ICT has a desk at the airport.

Scotiabank (443 2168; cnr Av 3 & Calle 2; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8am-4pm Sat) There are probably a dozen banks where you can change money, including Scotiabank, which has an ATM on the Cirrus network.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009