15 Best Things to Do in Alajuela, Costa Rica: More Than Just an Airport Stopover

Map of Alajuela Activities

We created a clickable map of all the activities in this list. We tried to keep it to things to do that are within a 45-minute drive of downtown Alajuela, but depending on traffic some drives could take longer.

Access the Alajuela Activity Map

For most of these activities, it will be helpful to have a rental car rather than trying to find day tours with transportation included.

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1. Take a Coffee Farm Tour

The Alajuela area is well known for being a prime destination for growing coffee beans. There are a few great coffee farms that you can tour in this area. Our three favorites are:

Hacienda Alsacia

Owned by Starbucks, Hacienda Alsacia is a working coffee farm and research center. The tour takes you through the coffee nursery and fields. Your guide will explain the coffee process from seed to cup. And, the experience concludes with a coffee tasting at the on-site Starbucks café.

Our Take: I prefer supporting small local farms, but I will admit that this place is undeniably impressive. Even if you skip the tour, the open-air café with its waterfall view is worth a visit. They serve some very innovative and unique drinks.

Book A Hacienda Alsacia Tour

Doka Estate Coffee Tour

Doka Estate is one of Costa Rica’s oldest coffee farms. They offer a detailed tour showcasing the coffee production process. The tour ends with a coffee tasting, and there are butterfly and flower gardens to explore.

Our Take: I think this tour gives the most thorough look at the production process. I highly recommend it!

• Book your tour directly on the Doka website if you will have a rental car
• Book a tour with transportation included

Café Britt Coffee Tour

Café Britt offers a fun, interactive tour with actors sharing Costa Rican coffee history. It’s a bit touristy but great for kids. There is also plenty of coffee and chocolate to sample.

Our Take: The tour is enjoyable, but a bit gimmicky. It’s very well done though. I also like the souvenir shop and think that a nice bag of Britt Coffee makes the perfect gift to bring back home

• You can book a tour directly on their website if you will have a rental car.
• Book a tour with transportation included here

2. Visit Poas Volcano

Poas Volcano is an active volcano located in the hills above Alajuela. Here you can visit the active crater up close for amazing views.

It is possible to book a day tour to the volcano with transportation included, but it’s really expensive. Book a tour here.

If you have a rental car, it’s much more affordable to visit on your own. There are a few things you need to keep in mind though:

• It is best to plan your visit for early in the morning before the volcano often gets fogged as the day goes on.
• You need to pre-book your tickets. You can do that on the official Costa Rican national park website here. You can not buy tickets directly at the volcano!
• Keep in mind that this is an active volcano that frequently erupts. There are certain safety protocols you may have to follow. These might feel excessive, but they are all to keep you safe.

Find out More in Our Guide to Poas Volcano

3. Visit La Paz Waterfall

La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park has so much to offer!

The park features:

• Several platforms on well-maintained trails with stunning views of the La Paz Waterfall
• A well-known wildlife refuge housing native Costa Rican animals like jaguars, toucans, and monkeys
• A section dedicated to Costa Rican culture, with exhibits on traditional farming and a replica of a traditional Costa Rican casita

For families, it’s an accessible way to experience the country’s biodiversity and culture in a structured environment.

However, this place has very mixed reviews. This is primarily because some visitors express concerns about the size of the enclosures for the animals.

Book Your Tickets to La Paz Waterfall Gardens

4. Visit the La Paz Waterfall for FREE!

If you don’t want to explore the whole park, you can always view the largest of the waterfalls directly from the road.

I marked this on Google Maps for you

Just pull your car off onto the side and walk over to the waterfall. Be careful though. It can be very slippery and there is no protective railing.

Another good place to view the waterfall is from the restaurant called Soda y Mirador Cinchona. They serve tasty basic Costa Rican food at a very reasonable price point. The view is also amazing and they have hummingbird feeders that are almost always full with birds.

You can find the location on the map for this guide.

5. Buy Some Traditional Cheese and Strawberries

The hills above Alajuela always feel a bit like Switzerland to me. I love to just drive and pull off the car to enjoy the view.

During your drive you will also often find locals selling fresh strawberries and a traditional cheese called palmito. This cheese is a bit like a string cheese but with more flavor. It’s great to try!

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6. Visit Rescata Wildlife Rescue Center

Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center is an awesome spot where they rescue, rehabilitate, and (if possible) release local wildlife back into the wild.

When you visit you’ll get to see a wide variety of animals, from brightly colored birds to monkeys and sloths.

It’s a great family activity, especially for those with young kids, since the center is outdoors and easy to walk around.

Plus, by visiting, you’re helping to support their conservation efforts.

Pre-Book Your Ticket Here

7. Visit a Trucha

Visiting a trucha is not an experience most tourists have, but I think it is the perfect way to get an authentic taste of the local culture.

Basically, this is a stocked fish pond with a restaurant next to it. When you arrive you will be given a line with a small piece of bait on the end. You can then stand and throw your line into the water until you catch your fish.

Upon catching a fish you can head to the restaurant where they will fry up your fish with some delish local side dishes.

It’s a fun family-friendly activity!

The trucha pictured above is called Restaurante Lluvias del Caribe. It is located above downtown Alajuela. It’s a good place to stop after Poas Volcano or La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

8. Take a Day Trip to Downtown San Jose

San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica. The city is located next to Alajuela. If you are staying in Alajuela I suggest taking a taxi to San Jose rather than driving. The roads can be very congested, people drive like crazy, and it is difficult to find a parking spot.

Some fun things to do in downtown San Jose include:

• Visit Mercado Central: Mercado Central is San Jose’s largest and oldest market. It’s a bustling hub filled with over 200 vendors selling everything from fresh produce and local delicacies to handmade crafts and souvenirs. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs and try traditional dishes.
• Go to a Museum: San Jose is home to several excellent museums. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum displays an impressive collection of ancient gold artifacts, the Jade Museum offers the world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian jade pieces, and the National Museum of Costa Rica provides a broader look at Costa Rican history and culture.
• Check out the National Theater: Teatro Nacional is one of San Jose’s most iconic buildings. You can take guided tours to admire the beautiful interiors or attend a performances ranging from classical concerts to ballet.
• Take a San Jose Sites and Bites Walking Tour: This tour combines two of the best things about San Jose, its rich history and amazing food! You’ll walk through the city’s landmarks while also sampling traditional Costa Rican dishes. We highly recommend this tour. Book Here
• Take a San Jose Walking Nature Tour: This tour takes you through some of the city’s green spaces. You’ll explore parks, learn about local plant and animal species, and enjoy the natural beauty hidden within the urban landscape. Book Here

For more ideas check out our list of all the best San Jose Activities

9. Hike at Barva Volcano

Barva Volcano is a dormant volcano that is part of Braulio Carrillo National Park.

You will need a 4×4 vehicle to get here (especially in the rainy season), particularly for the last 2 miles which are gravel roads.

The hikes are nice and there is usually hardly anybody here. 

Just be prepared for cooler, unpredictable weather due to the elevation. I suggest packing rain gear and warm clothing. The area is frequently shrouded in mist and can be muddy.

The Barva Volcano area is home to several hiking trails. The most popular is the 1.9-mile trail leading to the Barva Lagoon. This trail can be completed in about two hours.

I also like the Laguna Copey trail. This is a steeper and more challenging 3.1-mile route through dense cloud forest.

Get More Info on the National Park Website

10. Hike at Grecia Forest Reserve (Children’s Eternal Forest)

This reserve is home to three main hiking trails of varying length and degrees of difficulty. Our favorite trail (but also the most strenuous one) goes to an impressive waterfall viewpoint.  You might also see wildlife here from fox to armadillo to sloths. 

We like this place because it is not too popular with tourists. If you come on a weekday it should be decently empty. 

There is an admission fee, but it is only about $5 per person. 

11. Explore Jardin Else Kientzler

Here you will have the chance to walk around and explore all the tropical plants. The walking trails are flat, so it is a good activity for almost all ages.

If possible, we suggest visiting on a weekday morning for the most peaceful experience. 

This garden is located in Sarchi. We suggest combining it without a visit to the downtown area of the town. 

12. Visit the Towns of Sarchi and Grecia

This cozy town is located northwest of Alajuela. As you wander around the downtown area you’ll spot loads of cute souvenir shops selling wooden goods.

Definitely don’t forget to snap a pic with the world’s largest oxcart in the town square! It’s pretty cool. 

Also, there is a nice church in the center of town that is worth checking out if you get the chance.

The town of Grecia is located close to Sarchi. It is known for its iconic metal church called the Iglesia de la Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes.

13. Hike at Los Churros Waterfalls

This park includes multiple waterfalls that you can hike to and swim under. The hike here is a bit intense. You will have to hike downhill and then back up again at the end of your experience. 

Also, you can see the waterfalls from the trails, but if you would like to get to them you will have to walk through the water. We suggest stable water shoes because it is very rocky and slippery. 

If you visit here you will have to pay a few dollars for parking. A guard will be standing at the entrance collecting money.

This is technically a park run by the municipality, but they don’t maintain it well (or at least they didn’t in the past). So often the person collecting money for parking is just a random local person. 

15. Explore Downtown Alajuela

Exploring the downtown area of Alajuela is a fun way to soak in some local culture.

You can start with a visit to the Central Park, where locals hang out under the shade of the trees. Right next to it is the beautiful Alajuela Cathedral. For some Costa Rican history, head over to the Juan Santamaría Museum.

There are also plenty of local markets where you can grab fresh fruit or snacks, and cute cafés to relax in.

Note: Alajuela is generally safe during the day, but keep your belongings secure, don’t carry valuables, and try to blend in as much as possible. It is typically safe, but we don’t suggest walking around at night.

Other Alajuela Travel Tips

Here are some other things you should know before visiting Alajuela.

Transportation to Activities

Alajuela is the closest city to the San Jose International Airport. In fact, I suggest staying in Alajuela for the first night after you arrive and Costa Rica and the last night before you leave Costa Rica.

The best way to get around is by rental car. This will give you the most flexibility to do all these activities.

If you are interested in renting a car, we suggest the company Adobe. They are a local company with excellent customer service and great vehicles.

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Without a rental car you will need to depend on day tours which can be very expensive and often don’t go to more off-the-beaten-path places.

Driving in downtown Alajuela is somewhat hectic. The city is organized like a grid with a lot of one way roads. Also, several intersections don’t have traffic lights and people aren’t always the best at obeying the stop sign rules.

However, the hills above Alajuela are beautiful to drive and way more peaceful.

Keep in mind that the highway from Alajuela to the Pacific Coast (Route 27) is a toll road. You can pay in US dollars, colones, and now most even accept credit cards.

Where to Stay

• High End Hotel: Pura Vida Hotel
• Mid-Range Hotel: Alice y Juancito
• Budget-Friendly Hotel: Lajuela BnB & Hostel

Great Nearby Restaurants

• Taj Mahal: Delicious Indian restaurant
• Pesqueria da Limonta: Great place for fish and seafood
• La Calle: Beer and street food such as burger
• El Chante: Vegetarian and vegan dishes
• Ragu: Great place for Italian dishes such as pizza and pasta

For More Info Check Out the Complete Alajuela Travel Guide