Location: Alajuela
Top Things to do in Alajuela
Top 10 Things to do in Alajuela, Costa Rica
Alajuela (Spanish pronunciation: [alaˈxwela]) is the second-largest city in Costa Rica after the capital, San José. It is also the capital of Alajuela Province.
Restaurants in Alajuela
1. Rio Celeste
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 413 reviews
Reviewed By AntoniaRobinson - uk
Stayed nearby in Bijagua to have an early start. National park entry $15. Muddy and uneven path up to waterfall and beyond, plus steep steps down to the bottom of the falls. Amazing blue colour today, walk further upstream to the source of the blue where two clear streams meet. No swimming allowed.
Not many animals since the hurricane last year, but plenty of flowers. Allow three hours for the relatively strenuous walk.
2. Zoo Ave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 630 reviews
While educating the public about local wildlife, this zoo also breeds endangered animals for eventual release to the wild.
Reviewed By mckeaniac - McKean, PA
Our visit to Zoo Ave began with an introductory film explaining the Mission of Central America's largest wildlife rescue center. The goals of the center are to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintegrate animals into their natural environment, as well as to breed endangered animals for release into the wild. The center receives about 2000 animals a year. About 2% of the animals remain in the zoo as permanent residents, the most famous of which is Grecia, a female toucan who was fitted with a prosthetic beak after an animal cruelty incident.
The park has beautiful botanical Gardens with more than 125 species of birds, reptiles, and mammals in natural enclosures. The park is completely accessible, has a small gift shop, and a restaurant on-site. As part of our tour, we enjoyed a delicious Costa Rican lunch buffet. This unique zoo park is well worth the visit!
3. Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
This chuch's ornate red dome is the centerpiece of its town square.
Reviewed By Domer90mom - Minnesota
Nice exterior especially when lit up at night. Interior isn't too impressive. I really enjoyed sitting in the city square outside the Cathedral especially in the evening taking in the sights and sounds of the city. Interesting people watching.
4. Juan Santa Maria Historical Cultural Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 155 reviews
Juan Santa Maria Cultural Historical Museum is the national institution to acquire, preserve, preserve, research and disseminate cultural heritage, related to the National Campaign and the province of Alajuela. It is located in the Old Headquarer and Old Alajuela's City Jail. The Museum have historial and art Exhibitions, cafe, bookstore, library and an auditorium where cultural activities take place.
Reviewed By Michael R
Juan Santamaría Museum is awesome because you can learn about the history of Alajuela City and How it contributed in the National history as a town.
5. City Mall
Overall Ratings
4 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By mclanea - San Diego, California
We only had a few hours and we wanted to do something while we waited for our next flight... we were pleasantly surprised at how well City Mall fit the bill.
This is a large, brand new, well designed shopping mall. It has everything from a grocery store to a car dealer inside. We enjoyed wandering around and strolling. And we enjoyed lunch at the food
Court followed by churros.
As we were leaving we said, "this isn't just a nice mall for Costa Rica, this is a nicer mall than anything we have in Southern California."
6. Parque Juan Santa Maria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 120 reviews
A park dedicated to the national hero who lost his life during the 1856 invasion of Costa Rica by William Walker.
Reviewed By cdub333 - Chicago, Illinois
An inspiring statue of Juan Santamaría is of course the centerpiece of this pleasant park, not far from the old Cathedral.
Juan Santamaría was part of a rag-tag campesino army trying to repel Tennessee pro-slavery advocate William Walker (who had already invaded Nicaragua and was moving down the coast). A doctor-turned-adventurer, Walker hoped to lead a mercenary conquest of Central America and make the whole region pro-slavery.
Santamaría (of Alajuela) was a drummer boy in the Costa Rican forces. He volunteered to set fire to a wood fort where Walker’s “army” was holed up. He lit it up, but was shot to death. Walker’s forces retreated north after a 14-minute fight.
Santamaría is depicted gripping a torch, charging into possible death. Below the statue are two small cannons on an elevated stage (with a dangerous drop-off; I almost plunged off). Colorful noisy parrots fly around the trees and old buildings by the park. A shoeshine guy is doing a brisk business, lovers stroll, old men read newspapers.
There are several nice parks in this area of Alajuela, but this is the only one celebrating the boy hero. Could he have known an international airport would be named in his honor?
7. Arenal Volcano riding tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
With our healthy and well trained horses, we start this incredible guided tour, crossing rivers and through the trails in the rain forest, enjoying all the views of the San Carlos plains, and the amazing lava paths of the majestic Arenal Volcano. We can see also, monkeys, birds like toucans, turkeys, hawks, falcons etc.Departure time: 8:30 a.m. / 1:00 p.m.What to bring: Long pants, hiking boots, suns screen, mosquitoÂ’s repellent, camera, binoculars and rain gear.
Reviewed By EdandMags - Wanaque, New Jersey
My hubby and I were staying at the Treehouse lodge in Santa Clara Costa Rica where Mark the owner suggested this trip. Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Springs Tour (night) Juan along with his son Edwardo picked us up right on time!
Took us straight away to see the volcano. Juan was so informative, we could have been on a National Geographic episode. Through the entire ride we asked many many questions regarding the specifics of Costa Rica (possibly planing to retire here) Juan was very happy to answer all questions. He had warm DRY clothes for both of us as we were drenched (as in most days this is their rainy season). Edwardo; assisted in all steps along the way ever playing the best gentleman. Opening and closing the door for us and even posing for a picture
8. Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Jeffrey M - Williamsburg, Virginia
Football is the world's favorite sport and the stadium in Alajeula is where medium-sized crowds enjoy. There is nothing fancy about this stadium, but if you get there early you can get a perfectly decent general admittance seat for $10, Take local currency for drinks and snacks in the stands. If you cannot get a ticket in advance, get there early since the ticket booth lines are long and slow.
Alajuela is a Costa Rican powerhouse, so you will probably see a victory by the home team.
9. monument of Tomas Guardia
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Charlie D - Atenas, Costa Rica
It is a simple plaza with one simple statue, but very tastefully and artistically presented! It is across the street from the Juan Santa Maria Historical Cultural Museum, so see them together, then enjoy Alajuela's Central Park and Cathedral nearby.
10. Laguna de Hule
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By alajuelanorth - Alajuela
We travel a lot in Costa Rica and Laguna de Hule is definitely the back of beyond. Easily accessible from Nuevo Cincona is a restaurant and fabulous lookout over the ancient lake. Past the restaurant the road is not passable by car for parts of the year but it is a great hike down to the lake not to be missed by birders.
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