How to get around Alajuela
Most car rental agencies in and around the airport will bring your car to your hotel in Alajuela.
Otherwise, try the in-house travel agency at Hotel 1915.
Alongside some of the better hotels and hostels, the best source of information in town is Goodlight Books on Av 3, C 1/3. It's open daily 9am–6pm; T2430 4083. Here staff can usually help with public transport questions.
What better way to plan a trip than to rely on personalized experiences? Our content manager has traveled to Costa Rica and shares with you what to consider when planning your trip.
How many days do you need in Alajuela?
While it’s true to say you can see Alajuela’s sights in around half a day, it's the perfect base for exploring many sights around the Valle Central. Given that most of these can be found within a 30km radius of town, we’d recommend allowing at least 3-4 days.
As a suggested itinerary, you could spend your first day in town, before heading to Parque Nacional Volcán Poás for day two.
Come day three, walk the trails of Parque Nacional Juan Castro Blanco, perhaps planning to watch a football match in the evening (fixtures permitting, of course). You could also look to fit in a coffee plantation tasting tour.
What is the best time to visit Alajuela?
If you’ve come for the coffee, the best time to visit Alajuela is during the October— February picking season.
And the reason? If you tour one of the region’s estates at this time, you can often get involved in harvesting the bright red berries and roasting them yourself.
Happily for outdoor adventurers travellers who love trekking as much as good coffee, this partially coincides with Costa Rica’s dry season. Extending from December — April, this presents better condition for hiking the region’s trails.
If you’re keen to experience Costa Rican culture, April is one of the best times to visit Alajuela. On 11th April, the town comes alive with parades and fireworks for the Día de Juan Santamaría festivities.
For more on the best time to visit different destinations in Costa Rica, read our guide to when to go to Costa Rica.