The Authentic Costa Rican Town of Alajuela : Alajuela may only be Costa’s Rica’s second city when it comes to size, but it will forever be an important historical city for the country. Alajuela was the main advocate of Costa Rica’s independence from the Spanish regime. If you look further into its past, you will find that Alajuela was the hometown of Juan Santamaria, the drummer boy who save his country during the battle of the Hacienda Santa Rosa in 1856. Santamaria’s death and sacrifice made him into a national hero.
A number of tourists prefer Alajuela to the capital city San Jose because it is more laidback and easier to navigate because of its size. Equipped with a mall, a movie theater, shops and internet cafes, Alajuela has enough amenities to keep visitors entertained and connected.
Alajuela exudes an authentic vibe and strong cultural roots. At the heart of the city is a large red domed church, which has become an iconic structure for the city. Just a few minutes walk away is the luscious central park (Parque Central), where friendly locals hang out especially during the afternoon.
To immerse yourself into the life in Alajuela, take the time to visit the large and vibrant Central Market (Mercado Municipal), which actually occupies a whole city block. Alajuela is a perfect place to sample some Costa Rican cuisine. You can get sample this at the market or at any of the local restaurants in the city. After shopping and dining, head over to the Juan Santamaria Cultural Historical Museum, which showcases artifacts, and historical objects that pertains to the battle of 1856.
For tourists, Alajuela serves as an excellent base for exploring the stunning Central Valley and the northern side of Costa Rica. The city is only a few minutes away from the Juan Santamaria International Airport, and is also a hub for regional buses. In addition, the city has a wide range of hotels and accommodation options for travelers with varied budgets and preferences.
Some of the attractions just outside town include the Butterfly Farm, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and Zoo Avenue. All these places make excellent day trip destinations. They are all perfect for families as well as for independent travelers who want to get to know the beauty of the Costa Rican countryside. Alajuela is also the ideal jumping point to the Poas Volcano National Park. Here, visitors are given the rare opportunity to hike to the crater of the active Poas Volcano via guided tours. Are you a fan of the coffee? If the answer is yes, then you are in luck. The city is actually nearby some interesting coffee plantations including the tourist favorite Doka Estate. Coffee plantation tours are offered on a regular basis by tour companies based in Alajuela.
