Alajuela Downtown
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What to know in Alajuela Dawntown

ALAJUELA CATHEDRAL – CHURCH

With its beautiful dome and white marble foundation, the neoclassical Alajuela Cathedral, facing the east side of central park, is well worth a visit. Constructed in 1854, the church is frequented by the city’s large Catholic population.

CENTRAL PARK

A constant hub of activity, Alajuela’s central park is shaded by huge mango trees and royal palms and is a pleasant spot to people watch and enjoy the occasional music concert or local performer. Several banks, restaurants, shops and the Catholic church frame the park.

CENTRAL MARKET

Occupying an entire city block and always packed with locals, the central market offers everything from fresh produce and cheeses to butcher shops and shoe vendors. Inexpensive typical meals like sopa negra, a hearty black bean soup served with a boiled egg, can be sampled at one of many small eateries serving local cuisine for less than $4.

CHURCH OF AGONY (IGLESIA LA AGONIA)

Built in 1941, the Iglesia la Agonia is a landmark church known for its ornate Baroque style. Located five blocks east of central park.

JUAN SANTAMARIA PARK

A tribute to national hero Juan Santamaria, the plaza is paved with red bricks and is centered around a statue of Santamaria. 

MUSEUMS:

JUAN SANTAMARIA MUSEUM

Located one block north of the central park, this museum highlights the plight of national hero and Alajuelense, Juan Santamaria. Displays focus on the events surrounding Santamaria’s defeat of William Walker in the 1856 Battle of Hacienda Santa Rosa. Santamaria torched Walker’s building, ultimately losing his own life in an effort to preserve Costa Rica’s independence. Exhibits include paintings, historical artifacts and maps.

Open: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Admission is free
Tel: 2441-4775

COFFEE PLANTATIONS, PARKS, ZOOS AND GARDENS:

DOKA ESTATE

A working coffee plantation on the slopes of Poas Volcano, Doka Estate offers delightful coffee tours of its ample fields, mills and roasting room. Note that coffee picking season runs from October-February, so visitors during these months can also sample ripe coffee cherries straight off the tree. The coffee plantation is located in San Luis de Sabanilla, about ten miles north of Alajuela via Fraijanes Road.

Open: Tours are offered daily at  at 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Tel.: 2449-5152 

BOTANICAL ORCHID GARDEN

Situated in La Garita, a short bus or taxi ride away, the garden is a nice day trip from Alajuela. Trails meander through a demo orchid nursery, laboratory, orchid showroom, and extensive gardens, where a permanent orchid flower exhibition is on display. Facilities include a coffee shop and souvenir store.

Open: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tues-Sun.
Admission: $12 adults, $6 children; special rates for groups
Tel: 2487-8095

THE BUTTERFLY FARM 

Located 7.5 miles south of Alajuela in La Guacima, the Butterfly Farm offers visitors the opportunity to observe thousands of butterflies and learn about their metamorphosis, mating and eating habits. Entrance fee includes a two-hour tour, which is available in several languages. Direct buses depart from Alajuela’s Pacifico station on Calle 8 and Avenida 2 at 6:20 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m.

Open: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Tel: 2438-0400

LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDEN AND BUTTERFLY OBSERVATORY 

La Paz is the country’s largest butterfly garden and has over twenty species of butterflies soaring freely in a natural habitat the size of an American football field. The waterfall garden has over 1.8 miles of walking trails that pass by several impressive waterfalls, a hummingbird garden, serpentarium, orchid exhibit and the butterfly observatory. Package tours are available that include lunch and transportation. La Paz is located near the town of Vara Blanca, roughly 45 minutes from Alajuela.

POAS VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK

Visitors from around the world are drawn to the steaming crater and bubbling green pools of Poas Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s active volcanoes. Located 22 miles north of Alajuela, via the scenic Fraijanes road, the park features easy hiking trails through a small cloud forest and is almost completely wheelchair accessible. 

Visitors are advised to carry a jacket and arrive early; clouds roll in at a moment’s notice and shroud the crater. A visitor’s center with a small cafe and souvenir shop are located near the entrance of the park. Buses depart from San Jose and pass by Alajuela’s TUASA station at 9:15 a.m. Cost is $3 round-trip. The bus departs Poas at 2:30 p.m. and returns to Alajuela by 3:30 p.m.

ZOO AVE

Zoo Ave, located in La Garita, is a wildlife rescue and breeding center that houses over 130 animal species native to Costa Rica and other parts of the world. Its lush grounds offer a spectacular bird collection including macaws, toucans, cranes, ostriches, and resplendent quetzals. The zoo also houses many mammals and reptiles.  Zoo Ave’s mission is to breed endemic animal species for reintroduction into the wild. To get to Zoo Ave by bus, take either the Atenas or La Garita bus from the Pacifico bus station in Alajuela.

Open: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily
Admission: $15 adults, $4 children
Tel: 2433-8989

The best places to visit in Costa Rica
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5 of the best places to visit in Costa Rica.

Nicoya Peninsula.

The Nicoya Peninsula’s sparkling 80-mile shoreline boasts beach-centric towns with cream-colored shores and dense forests. Half of the peninsula is found in the Guanacaste province, while the other half sits in the Puntarenas province. Nosara Beach’s powdery sands line the Nicoya Peninsula’s western edge. You’ll also find fishing and cattle-ranching communities east of the rustic coastline. After a significant rise in tourism that began in the 1970s, an influx of restaurants and hotels have enticed visitors to the peninsula’s sandy coast.

What to do in Costa Rica
Scenic view of the beach along the Golfo de Papagayo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Recent travelers highlight Nosara Beach’s gorgeous sunsets, colorful fish and turquoise waters as ideal for surfers and beach lovers alike. Other hot spots include Mal País and Montezuma, a charming coastal town that boasts affordable hotel accommodations and untamed splendors, like magnificent waterfalls and gentle cerulean waves.

The Nicoya Peninsula extends from Costa Rica’s northwestern tip and skirts the Pacific. You can reach the peninsula by car from San José the drive will take 4 or 5 hours approximately.

Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica Vocanoes
Arenal Volcano Costa Rica

Arenal, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, stands more than 5,000 feet high. For the latter half of the 20th century, admirers traveled to its base in droves to catch a glimpse of glowing rocks and molten lava tumbling down its sides. But Arenal wasn’t always spewing fiery lava, rocks and ash. The volcano sat dormant for hundreds of years, but on July 29, 1968, Arenal awoke from its slumber. A thunderous earthquake shook the area and a subsequent explosion of lava wiped out three nearby villages. Frequent eruptions continued until 2010, when the volcano re-entered a non-active state.

Arenal is often concealed by a thick layer of fog, but if you visit between February and April, you will have a better chance of unobstructed views. Recent visitors say it is worth the trip, though it the quality of the view depends heavily on the weather. You can hike the park’s trails on your own with just a trail map, but several recent visitors recommended hiring a guide to learn more about the history of the volcano and the flora and fauna that inhabit the area.

The easiest way to access Arenal Volcano is from the nearby base village of La Fortuna. This small town is perched at the eastern edge of Arenal Volcano National Park in northern Costa Rica. A variety of tours depart from La Fortuna. You can reach Fortuna via car or bus from San José, which is located approximately 80 miles southeast of the park.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s smallest protected green spaces, but don’t let its size throw you off. Within the park’s 3 square miles, you’ll find untamed beaches, secluded coves, nature trails and a thick rainforest. You can stretch out on the park’s coastline or wander along one of the walking paths to spot rare birds, camouflaged iguanas and purple-and-orange crabs. If you’re a lover of furry creatures, you’ll be pleased to discover that this park contains so many monkeys that the park built a suspension bridge to grant them free reign of the area.

The best places to visit in Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio National Park

Travelers recommend visiting Manuel Antonio’s remote white-sand beaches in the southeastern tip of the park where visitors can relax under palm trees. Reviewers also recommend bringing a picnic lunch to enjoy. However, you’ll want to watch your food closely as the monkeys have been known to steal food. To enjoy the park’s untouched landscape without the crowds, consider arriving right when the park opens at 7 a.m.

Manuel Antonio National Park is set in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region, about 100 miles south of San José. You can reach the national park by bus or car from San José; the ride takes roughly 2 to 3 hours.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve

Imagine winding through a misty oasis; strikingly tall trees wrap you in a sea of green. Add to that more than 100 mammals, 400 types of birds and 2,500 plant species, and you have Monteverde’s lush 25,700-acre reserve. While wandering along one of the hiking trails, you may spot a small hummingbird or a resplendent quetzal feasting on a ripe aguacatillo (a fruit similar to an avocado).

Thes places to visit in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Rain Forest Monteverde

Although some travelers complain about the high frequency of tourists and the arduous trek to the reserve, most praise the forest as a must-see example of Costa Rica’s rich wildlife diversity. Recent visitors recommended taking a Sky Walk (hanging bridges) or Sky Trek (zip lining) tour to avoid the crowds and see the reserve from an aerial view. For more information, consult Sky Trek’s official website. If you’d prefer to stay on the ground, the reserve also offers guided walking tours year-round. Past visitors highly recommend hiring a guide if you’ve come to the reserve in search of wildlife.

Monteverde Cloud Forest is located in the Northern Plains, about a three-hour car ride northwest of San José.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Short for Catarata La Paz (or “peace waterfall”), La Paz may seem quiet and still at first glance. But take another look, and you’ll find this rainforest buzzing with activity. From croaking frogs and fluttering butterflies to rumbling jaguars and howling spider monkeys, there are plenty of creatures to be found in this wildlife-lover’s paradise. And there is much for nature-seekers to admire too, from the garden’s five flowing waterfalls to its colorful orchids and sea of leafy green canopies.

The best places to visit in Costa Rica
La Paz Water Falls Costa Rica

Recent travelers said it is a must-see for every first-time visitor to Costa Rica, describing the waterfalls as “amazingly beautiful.” Others were pleased with the friendly and knowledgeable staff.

La Paz is located along the northeastern edge of Volcán Poás in Costa Rica’s Northern Plains. The easiest way to reach La Paz is to take the one-hour bus, taxi, or car ride from San José; just follow the Pan-American Highway. The park, which recommends guests set aside at least two hours to explore, welcomes visitors every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission, which includes access to all the trails and attractions, costs $44 for adults and $28 for children ages 3 to 12. There is also an inexpensive and expansive buffet lunch if you want to eat at the park (for an additional fee).

Costa Rica Waterfalls

La Paz Waterfall Gardens Tour

A tour to a real dream place, La Paz Waterfalls Garden. This attraction has been awarded many times as one of the most impressive sites in Costa Rica and Central America. La Paz Waterfalls Garden is an incredible place. Here you will find some amazing waterfalls at the very middle of the rainforest, there you can take some impressive portraits with your family.

Waterfall Gardens offers extensive walking trails at altitudes reaching over 5000 feet (1524 m) through cloud forest and rainforest ecosystems complete with rivers and 5 waterfalls.

In the garden we have one of the most impressive butterfly farms of Costa Rica, and also a refuge for wild animals, in which you will be able to observe some great species such as jaguars, pumas, monkeys, toucans, macaws and many more species.

You can also see some incredible species of snakes and frogs that are well cared by biologists in the snake exhibition.

The excursion is designed to start later than most tours, so you are rested when you experience what the Waterfall Gardens boasts as the essence of Costa Rica on a guided hike through the reserve.

DURATION: 5 hrs
INCLUDE: Transportation, bilingual tour guide, entry fee, buffet lunch.
PRICE: US $105 per person.
PICK UP: From San Jose is between 10 AM and 11 AM, and the drop-off time is between 5 PM and 6 PM.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Camera, walking shoes, shorts or comfortable pants, lightweight jacket or raincoat.

San Jose City Tour

Costa Rica Pura Vida Experience

On this tour you will enjoy the magnificent contemporary Costa Rican culture and visit some of the most emblematic contemporary attractions of our beautiful country. An adventure with your historian guide of the city, who will take you to essential places, walking through magnificent areas in the capital city of Costa Rica.

Enjoy visiting spectacular restaurants, and experience traveling in the public bus, together with the friendly Ticos (costa ricans).

During the tour we will explore San José and Escazú (this second is known as the city of witches). Two parallel cities within the grand metropolitan area of Costa Rica.

We will walk the spiritual route of the costarican churches and learn about our spiritual and religious traditions.

We will visit the Grand Central Market of Costa Rica, which is the place with the greatest authenticity of culture in our country.

We will visit a legendary masked family, which is extremely popular in Costa Rica for masked festivals in the San José City.

Important notes:

  • The tour does not include transportation to and from the meeting point.
  • This tour does not include food and drinks, souvenirs, drinks and alcoholic beverages, tips / gratuities for the guide.

DURATION: 5 h
INCLUDED: Local English-speaking guide, food and drink samples, lunch, entrance fees.
PRICE: US $75 per person.
BEGIN OUR: 8:30 am (Meeting point: Central Market. We’ll meet at the main entrance, at the southeast corner of the market. Corner of Av. Central and Calle 6. Finish point: National Theather)
RECOMMENDATIONS: Camera, comfortable clothing and water.

Rafting in Costa Rica

Pacuare River Rafting – 1 day

The Pacuare River is a real natural paradise. Pacuare River is located approximately 1 hour from the metropolitan city of Costa Rica. With a magnificent jade color, Pacuare River is a true gem in our beautiful country. The river has an astonishing rainforest, with gigantic centuries-old trees. Your White-Water Rafting tour on Pacuare River will be unforgettable.

In fact, the Pacuare River is currently listed as one of the best rivers in the world for rafting.

The tour has a route of approximately 20 miles through the virgin rainforest, in which we will navigate rapids of class III, IV and depending on the season sometimes the rapids increase to class V. During the adventure you can enjoy observing the most incredible sightings possible and listen to the magnificent sounds of animals in the forest such as monkeys and toucans.

It is also possible to observe incredible species along the riverbank such as Jaguar, Puma, Deer and Ocelot.

The tour begins with your pickup at your hotel in San José City. We will bring you to our river rafting station, where the tour guides will give you a warm welcome. We will enjoy a delicious breakfast with delicious coffee and typical drinks.

After having such a pleasant welcome, we will proceed to explain the operation of the activity and the safety rules for the tour. Ready to paddle?

Yes, we can go into the River for a memorable adventure.

On your trip back to your hotel we will drive across one of the most important rainforests of Costa Rica, the Braulio Carrillo National Park. This will be a road of approximately 20 miles in the middle of virgin forest and with very impressive landscapes.

DURATION: 1 day
INCLUDED: Professional bilingual guides, Rafting equipment, Breakfast and a hot lunch, Spacious changing rooms and showers, Transportation, Secure, dry transport of your luggage in dry bag.
PRICE: US $145 per person.
PICK UP: 8:00 am
RECOMMENDATIONS: Comfortable clothing, water shoes, sunscreen and bug repellent.

Wtaerfalls in Costa Rica

Coffee and Waterfalls Tour

The tour starts with the pickup at your hotel in San Jose City. We will bring you to the place of our tour, which is located far from the city.

The tour guides will receive you a warming welcome and will explain to you about the operation of the complete activity.

The adventure with a fantastic coffee tour. The tour will be led by true experts on the history from our country and coffee. During the coffee tour you will learn about how these plants are grown, how to collect the beans using the traditional baskets, and how the fruits are processed to obtain the best possible coffee quality.

At the end of the coffee tour we will bring you to the store and factory, where you can taste some delicious chocolates, seeds, and a wide variety of delicious coffee flavors.

Then we will visit a real dream place, La Paz Waterfalls Garden. This attraction has been awarded many times as one of the most impressive sites in Costa Rica and Central America. La Paz Waterfalls Garden is an incredible place. Here you will find some amazing waterfalls at the very middle of the rainforest, there you can take some impressive portraits with your family.

In the garden we have one of the most impressive butterfly farms of Costa Rica, and also a refuge for wild animals, in which you will be able to observe some great species such as jaguars, pumas, monkeys, toucans, macaws and many more species.

You can also see some incredible species of snakes and frogs that are well cared for by biologists in the snake exhibition.

DURATION: 6 hrs
INCLUDED: Naturalist guide, transportation, lunch and drinks
PRICE: US $135 per person.
PICK UP: 8:00 am
RECOMMENDATIONS: Hiking shoes, binoculars, sunscreen and water

Waterfalls Costa Rica Tour

Coffee and Canopy Tour

The tour starts with the pickup at your hotel in San Jose City. We will bring you to the place of our tour, which is located far from the city.

The tour guides will receive you a warming welcome and will explain to you about the operation of the complete activity.

Adventure in Costa Rica, Canopy Tour

The adventure begins with the canopy zipline. We will do a total of 13 platforms and 8 zip lines, all at the middle of the rainforest. You will also enjoy a breathtaking guided walk through the rainforest to observe animals such as monkeys, sloths, toucans, hummingbirds, and others. There you would find some majestic waterfalls that are hidden in the forest.

After the adventure in the rainforest, we will do the fabulous Coffee Tour. This part of the tour will be led by true experts on the history from our country and coffee. During the tour you will learn about how these plants are grown, how to collect the beans using the traditional baskets, and how the fruits are processed to obtain the best possible coffee quality.

At the end of the tour we will bring you to the store and factory, where you can taste some delicious chocolates, seeds, and a wide variety of delicious coffee flavors.

Finally, we will enjoy a delicious typical lunch prepared by Costa Rican chefs, using 100% typical recipes from our country.

DURATION: 6 hrs
INCLUDE: Naturalist guide, transportation, lunch and drinks
PRICE: US $135 per person.
PICK UP: 10:00 am
RECOMMENDATIONS: Hiking shoes, binoculars, sunscreen and water

Poás Volcano National Park / Doka Coffee Tour / La Paz Waterfall Garden

This is the most complete combo tour to enjoy nature, culture, and history. We will pick you up at your hotel and take you to an unforgettable experience.

We will visit Doka Coffee Estate for a delicious breakfast. Then, we will enjoy a coffee tour in the coffee plantation, where you will learn the ancient techniques used by experts to produce some of the best coffees in Costa Rica and in the world. Then, taste the delicious coffee!

After the coffee tour, we will continue to the Poás Volcano National Park, where there is a notable change in temperature and exuberant vegetation of the cloud forest.

Our visit to Poás Volcano National Park will be approximately 1 hour. At the volcano we will have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its geysers, and then take a light walk through the forest trails towards the beautiful Botos Lagoon and learn about the different ecosystems of the volcano. After enjoying the visit to Poás Volcano, we will take you to enjoy a delicious lunch at Doka Estate.

As we ascend the mountain after the Poás Volcano visit, we will notice a change in temperature and vegetation; We will see coffee plantations as well as ferns, flowers, and strawberry farms along the road, creating a magnificent variety of sightings.

The third part of this combo is the Waterfalls Garden. A tour to a real dream place, La Paz Waterfalls Garden. This attraction has been awarded many times as one of the most impressive sites in Costa Rica and Central America. La Paz Waterfalls Garden is an incredible place. Here you will find some amazing waterfalls at the very middle of the rainforest, there you can take some impressive portraits with your family.

Waterfall Gardens offers extensive walking trails at altitudes reaching over 5000 feet (1524 m) through cloud forest and rainforest ecosystems complete with rivers and 5 waterfalls.

In the garden we have one of the most impressive butterfly farms of Costa Rica, and also a refuge for wild animals, in which you will be able to observe some great species such as jaguars, pumas, monkeys, toucans, macaws and many more species.

You can also see some incredible species of snakes and frogs that are well cared by biologists in the snake exhibition.

DURATION: 8 hrs
INCLUDE: Tranportation, bilingual guide, entrance fees (Doka Cofee Tour, Poas Volcano National Park, La Paz Waterfall), breakfast, lunch.
PRICE: US $160 per person.
PICK UP: 7:30 am
RECOMENDATIONS: Hat, insect repelent, Binoculars, camera and walking shoes, raincoat.