Orientation -- Downtown Alajuela is a tight jumble of one-way streets, often choked to a standstill with gridlocked traffic. Most people will be heading up into the hills from downtown. The best way to find the route out of town is usually to follow signs for the Poás Volcano or some other well-known attraction.

Fast Facts

You’ll find banks, ATMs, and Internet cafes all over Alajuela, especially in the central downtown area, and nearby malls and shopping centers. The Hospital San Rafael de Alajuela ((tel) 2436-1001) is large, modern, and well-equipped. If you need a taxi, call COOTAXA ((tel) 2443-3030) or Taxi Radio Liga ((tel) 2441-1212). The Uber app also works.

Getting There

By Car: Head northwest out of San José on the Interamerican Highway (CR1).

By Bus: Two separate lines make the run between San José and Alajeula: Tuasa (tel. 2442-6900) buses are red; Station Wagon ((tel) 2441-1181) buses are beige/yellow. Buses leave roughly every 10 minutes between 5am and 11pm, and less frequently in off hours. The fare is C640.

By Train: A commuter train runs between downtown San José and Heredia. This train runs roughly every 10 minutes between 5:30 and 9:00am, and again between 3:30 and 8:30pm, with much less frequent service during non-commuter hours. Fares range from C550 to C800, depending on the length of your ride.

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