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, the town is a convenient entry and exit stop and well worth a visit.
As with other provincial capitals, the central square in front of the large, red domed cathedral is impressive. The tall, dark green, tightly packed trees gives one and idea what the central valley must have looked like prior to colonization. During the heat of the afternoon the 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 towns central market. Taking up an entire city block the market is much less crowded than that of San Jose's and the prices are better. Alajuela is famous for its cattle ranches to the north and its production of sugar.
Every year on April 11th the town celebrates Juan Santamaria 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.
Beyond the capital you can find smaller cities and many traditional towns. Alajuela is one of them, with its warm climate and abundant mango trees. The Central Park is filled with them, as well as with other fruit trees. Old timers sit among them, giving funny nicknames to passersby. The Festival of Mangoes is held every year in July and lasts for nine days.
The city of mangoes
This province is the birthplace of Juan Santamaria, a young Costa Rica whose courage was decisive in a battle during the war of 1856 against William Walker and his filibusteros. The museum, located one block from the Central Park, boats his name and tells his story. It's the city's former jail.
Alajuela is also home to the butterfly farm, a four acre breeding ground where over 500 different kinds of these exotic insects can be found. Thousands of them are exported to Europe where they are distributed among hundreds of walk-through butterfly houses along the continent.
As you start getting closer to the pacific, you will be in La Garita, an area which for some has the best climate in the entire country. This is a large area with majestic, green scenery. It's filled with beautiful homes and gardens, dark green coffee bushes and plant nurseries. Visitors can stop and walk through rows and rows of magnificent plants such as ferns, palms and varied flowers.
Another interesting visit is not far. Only one hour from San Jose and 20 minutes from the Poas volcano, lies La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Inside, you will come upon five magnificent waterfalls, an impressive enclosed butterfly observatory, 2.5 miles of paved trails with viewing platforms, a hummingbird garden and an orchid garden. Visitors can also take advantage of the gift shop and restaurant, rated 4 forks by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (5 is the best in their international category).
Geographical Division 
