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Alajuela lies at the
base of Poas Volcano a mile north of the
International Airport. This northwest central
valley town is sometimes referred to as
Costa Rica's second city. Home of the country's
national Hero, Juan Santamaria, Alajuela
has a busy downtown area and barely warmer
climate than nearby San Jose.
One
kilometer from the International airport,
Alajuela is a convenient entry and exit
stop and well worth a visit.
As
with other Costa Rica provincial capitals,
the central square in front of the large,
red domed cathedral is impressive. The tall,
dark green, tightly packed trees gives one
an idea what the central valley must have
looked like prior to colonization. During
the heat of the afternoon the Alajuela central
park is the perfect place to sit and hang
out, as the thick shade and cool breezes
tend to draw a lot of locals. It is the
best time and place in the city to go people
watching.
Two
hundred meters west of central park is the
Alajuela central market. Taking up an entire
city block the market is much less crowded
than that of San José's and the prices
are better. Alajuela is famous for it's
cattle ranches to the north and it's production
of sugar. Every year on April 11th the town
celebrates Juan Santamaría day with
a large parade through town and a public
carnival and dance in and around the central
park. One block north of the town center
is the Museo Juan Santamaria, which is housed
in a former jail. The townspeople are famous
for their calm demeanor and infectious humor,
except in connection with their soccer team,
La Liga. Costa Ricans in general take their
football seriously but year in and year
out Alajuela's team is at or near the top.
Just
outside of town are a number of interesting
and fun places to visit, including Zoo Ave
and the Butterfly Farm. Zoo Ave is located
in the town of La Garita and is a park with
dozens of different native species of rare
birds with a host of other animals. Their
captive breading program, which is involved
in the breading and re-introduction of endangered
species is extremely important to the local
environment. The Butterfly farm in La Guacima
de Alajuela is exactly that, a farm where
they breed and grow dozens of different
species of multicolored butterflies. Tours
are available year round and show visitors
every step in the butterfly's complex and
interesting life cycle. If you have children,
this is the perfect place to take them as
it is interesting, educational and fun.
Bus
service to and from San Jose is available
24 hours a day in large comfortable buses.
Service between the town and the airport
is equally convenient, with most hotels
offering free pick-up and drop-off service.
With it's slightly higher temperature and
close proximity to the international airport,
Alajuela is an attractive central valley
alternative for travelers. |
