Alajuela is the second largest province in Costa Rica, and home to a variety of attractive natural spaces and volcanic landscapes. Located in one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the country, the Cordillera Central, Alajuela has several volcanic national parks that hold the unspoilt essence of this country. If you are a traveller looking for adventure, nature and ecotourism, this is the place for you. At Passporter we encourage you to embark on this Costa Rican experience, which we are sure will not leave you disappointed.
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Things to see in Alajuela, Costa Rica
Alajuela City, Costa Rica
It is a small and quiet town, located on the outskirts of San Jose. This picturesque urban nucleus of Alajuela serves as a base for travellers who decide to venture into this area. It has a wide variety of restaurants and hotels, perfect to take a break and recharge for the next excursion.
It also has several cinemas, shopping centres and cafés, as well as one of the largest agricultural markets in Costa Rica. Every Saturday the city of Alajuela becomes the ideal place to experience the true Costa Rican way of life. Here, locals and visitors gather to display their fresh produce and crafts to the rhythm of local music.
Zoo Ave
This park is no ordinary zoo, but is home to a variety of cats, monkeys and other animals native to Costa Rica. But it is mainly known for being home to more than 100 different species of birds. The main mission of the park is to breed animals that can be reintroduced into the wild, in order to release them.
The Zoo Ave has great value to Alajuela, both for the work it does and for being a place to learn about Costa Rica’s native wildlife.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Considered one of the most beautiful corners of the Costa Rican landscape, the Arenal Volcano is the place to see on your trip through Alajuela, Costa Rica. Its perfect symmetrical shape is a spectacle worth seeing. It is a valued point in the country, coveted by everyone who travels to Costa Rica. Here you can go horseback riding, hiking and wildlife watching, among other activities.
In addition, you can go white water rafting on the Toro River, take a dip in one of the several natural hot springs, go on a canopy tour, or take a trip across suspension bridges.
La Fortuna
La Fortuna waterfall is another of Costa Rica’s most popular attractions, as it is very close to the Arenal Volcano and a short drive from La Fortuna. If you’re thinking of coming here, be sure to bring your swimming costume. The waterfall falls 60 metres into a stunning turquoise pool alongside rolling green hills.
Many travellers come here and enjoy a picnic along the rocky shore or a small sandy area. I have walked the trail and it is somewhat steep, but very rewarding. It takes about 15 minutes to walk down the stairs to the waterfall, and is a great way to see the beautiful flora and fauna of the area.
Poás Volcano National Park
Poás Volcano may not be as coveted a destination as Arenal Volcano, but this imposing volcano is simply a must-see in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Stretching skyward some 2,708 metres high, Poás is one of the most active volcanoes in the country, with a main crater over a kilometre in diameter.
In addition to the area around the main crater, the park has dense vegetation and is an ideal place for travellers to catch a glimpse of wildlife. There are also several different life zones, including cloud and mountain rainforest.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
La Paz is Costa Rica’s most visited privately owned ecological attraction. From an incredible area teeming with flora and fauna to the country’s most famous waterfalls, La Paz should be on your list of things to do in Costa Rica. There are five waterfalls, hiking trails, a cloud forest, rainforest and over 100 different species of animals.
Along the trails of La Paz Waterfall Gardens, you can peek through the trees and ferns to see the impressive cascades of the five waterfalls. Stand at the Magia Blanca lookout point and you can take a photo from beneath the waterfall.
Don’t miss out on the photo opportunities at the Temple and Encantada waterfalls either. Before you come here, make sure you have your camera ready – you’re going to want to take pictures!
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Doka Estate
Known for its incredible coffee, the Doka Estate is a must-visit for any caffeine fanatic. The coffee tour takes visitors through the process from seed to cup and teaches all coffee lovers about the entire coffee production process.
The family-owned coffee plantation was started in the 1940s, and the family has perfected the art of making the perfect cup of coffee. At the end of the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to taste the rich blends they have learned about along the way.
Sarchi
The beautiful town of Sarchí, 29 km northwest of Alajuela, is known for its dazzling art and crafts. The perfect place to buy some traditional souvenirs, this artisan town is perhaps most widely recognised for its colourful handcrafted carts, which are highly ornate and elegantly hand carved.
The cart is a national symbol of Costa Rica, and they were used to transport coffee beans to distant markets.
What to see around Alajuela, Costa Rica
Monteverde
Considered the second most popular tourist destination in Costa Rica, Monteverde is one of the most impressive places in the country thanks to its natural beauty. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is also a popular biological reserve.
At the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, you can embrace the misty atmosphere, which serves as one of Costa Rica’s most sought after ecotourism destinations.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is located in the northern part of the province of Puntarenas in the Continental Divide. It is located six kilometres east of the town of Santa Elena. What we call clouds is actually haze produced by the high humidity at an altitude of 1,600 metres above sea level. The moisture traps around the branches of the tallest trees, harbouring a thriving ecosystem below.
In fact, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. Across eight distinct biological zones, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is home to thousands of plant and animal species. There is no doubt that the Monteverde Cloud Forest is a true paradise for nature lovers.
The network of trails in the reserve stretches over 13 kilometres of forest and is well maintained and perfect for day trips. Visitors also enjoy the panoramic views from the viewpoint “La Ventana”, which features mountain peaks along the continental divide.
Another excellent way to explore the forest is by hiking the hanging bridges or by going on a canopy tour, where visitors can experience the forest from a series of bridges and cables that offer a panoramic view of the forest.
What to do in Alajuela in 3 days?
Alajuela is a province that stands out for its scenic and natural wealth. For this reason, we propose a travel itinerary through the most impressive landscapes, as well as the most entertaining excursions in this region of the country.
Day 1:
- Arenal Volcano
- La Fortuna Waterfall
Day 2:
- Poas Volcano
- Doka Estate
- La Paz Gardens
Day 3:
- Alajuela City
- Sarchí
What to do in Alajuela in 4 days?
If you have 4 days to get to know the province of Alajuela, we recommend dedicating one of those days to discover Monteverde. Following the above itinerary, this destination will complete your itinerary in an extraordinary way. It is an essential place to book for the last day of your trip to Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Travel Tips for Alajuela, Costa Rica
Take a look at these recommendations and tips to make your trip to Alajuela an unforgettable experience.
- To get around the province, you should bear in mind that the roads are not in perfect condition.
- It is always advisable to take out travel insurance during your stay in Costa Rica.
- You should keep in mind that Costa Rica has micro climates, which means that from one place to another you can find a totally different climate. That is why you should bring both cool clothes and warm clothes for your trip in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Frequently Asked Questions about your trip to Alajuela, Costa Rica
The province of Alajuela has Alajuela Juan Santamaria International Airport, with flights to both domestic and international destinations.
To get around Alajuela you can choose to travel by bus (one of the most common ways) or by car, renting a vehicle during your stay to be able to visit the most hidden spots in the province.
If you want to know which are the restaurants where you can taste the best Costa Rican dishes in Alajuela, take a look at our top 5 restaurants in the province.
– Chubascos
– Pesqueria da Limonta
– Acuarelas Restaurant
– Restaurante El Sabor de la Montaña
– Cevichitos
As the second largest province in Costa Rica, Alajuela has many great hotels. Here is a selection of the most recommended and best rated hotels by users. Take note of these incredible hotels and select the one that best suits your travel itinerary.
– Buena Vista Chic Hotel
– Villa San Ignacio
– Hotel Martino Spa and Resort
– Pura Vida Hotel
– Hotel Bristol Aeropuerto
– Hampton Inn & Suites San Jose Airport
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