General Details

Area: 9,753 sq.km.

Capital: Alajuela

Distance from San Jose: 22.5 km

Climate: Moderate to warm, average temperature 23 to 26 C

Altitude: 925 mts above sea level

Alajuela is one of the most diverse and largest provinces of the country. Within the boundaries of Alajuela we find portions of the Central, Tilaran and Guanacaste Mountain Ranges. Another sight not to be missed are the panoramas of the lush and fertile plains of San Carlos. Altitudes vary from 90 to 900 meters above sea level, and drastic changes in flora and fauna are observed over relatively short distances.

Tourist Attractions: Juan Santamaria Museum, Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, Sarchi (oxcart factories), Poas Volcano National Park, Carara Biological Reserve


Web Sites

Aeroservicios - http://www.aeroservicios.co.cr/ - Ground handling airport services at Juan Santamaria Airport.

Doka Estate - http://www.dokaestate.com/ - Coffee producer and exporter offering retail and wholesale shopping and a coffee club.

Simesa - http://www.simesacr.com/ - Manufactures wood crafts, kitchenware, and furniture. Includes a company profile, photos and descriptions of products, and online ordering.

Tesoros Del Sol - http://tesdelsol.com/ - Collective of over 69 farms located in the Alajuela mountain district. Offers organic gourmet coffee, online ordering and contact info.


Real Estate Web Sites

Atenas Real Estate - http://www.atenas.co.cr/ - Residences, lots, and commercial properties. Provides general information on the country.

Ciudad Hacienda Los Reyes - http://www.losreyescr.com/ - La Guácima. Offers houses and land properties surrounded by a golf course. Townhouses and home property development available.


Travel and Tourism Web Sites

Arenal Lodge - http://www.arenallodge.com/ - Lodge surrounded by nature with views to the Arenal Volcano. Links to rate, directions and tour information all can be found here.

Arenal Volcano Inn - http://www.arenalvolcanoinn.com/ - Eleven room hotel offering views to the Arenal Volcano. Each room with two Queen size beds, air conditioning, mini refrigerator.

Bosque de Paz - http://www.bosquedepaz.com/ - Small lodge in private reserve that connects Poas Volcano and Juan Castro Blanco national parks. Provides photos and descriptions of guided tours.

Buena Vista Hotel - http://www.hotelbuenavistacr.com/ - Tranquil hotel located near the international airport in a beautiful mountain setting.

Cabinas El Colibrí - http://www.elcolibri47.com/ - A bed and breakfast in Turrúcares near Atenas located in the middle of the mountains. Rate and contact information as well as photos available here.

Cabinas Guacamaya - http://www.cabinasguacamaya.com/ - Hotel located only 10 minutes away from the Arenal Volcano. Provides room rate, contact and location information.

Cabinas la Pradera - http://www.cabinaslapradera.com/ - Family and rustic cabins. Includes photos of rooms, rates, and information on honeymoon packages. [English/Spanish]

Cataratas Resort - http://www.cabinaslapradera.com/ - With discotheque, minigolf, and paintball facilities. Includes rates, reservations, and information on area attractions.

Charly's Place Hotel - http://www.charlysplacehotel.com/ - A small hotel offering budget rooms, airport shuttle service, area tours, and bi-lingual staff.

El Cafetal Inn - http://www.cafetal.com/ - Mountain top hotel located in a coffee plantation in St. Eulalia of Atenas.

Garden Court Hotel - http://www.gardencourtairporthotel.com/ - Photos and brief list of amenities for chain-style motel near the airport. [English/Spanish]

Hotel Aeromundo - http://www.hotelaeromundo.com/en/index.html - Offers standard rooms and fully equipped apartments. Includes rates, photos and description of area activities.

Hotel Aeropuerto - http://hotelaeropuerto.co.cr/ - Description of the rooms, pool, restaurant. Includes area tours, photo gallery and reservations.

Hotel Chatelle - http://www.hotelchatelle.com/ - Describes accommodations and meeting room, with information on rates and available services.

Hotel Colinas del Sol - http://www.hotelcolinasdelsol.com/ - Bungalows with kitchenettes and terraces. Offers swimming pool, bar, coffee shop, and area tours.

Hotel II Millenium - http://www.bbmilleniumcr.com/ - Twelve rooms and a restaurant near the airport. Includes area tours, rates and a photo gallery.

Hotel La Rosa de America - http://www.larosadeamerica.com/ - A twelve room hotel with tropical gardens. Contains links to local area tourist information as well.

Hotel Lomas del Volcan - http://www.lomasdelvolcan.com/ - Rustic bungalows with terraces near the Arenal volcano. Photo gallery, rate, service and location links.

Hotel Martino - http://www.hotelmartino.com/ - Small resort hotel. Facilities include gourmet restaurant, conference rooms, casino, piano bar, fitness gym, and spa.

Hummingbird Nest - http://www.hummingbirdnestbb.com/ - Bed and breakfast with private rooms, hot tub, and a view of the Arenal Volcano.

Jardines Arenal Lodge - http://www.hoteljardinesarenal.com/ - Offers ten guest rooms and two country houses, with continental breakfast. Area tours, rates and reservations.

La Terraza B & B - http://www.laterrazab-b.com/ - Reservation and contact information, with photos of facilities and former guests.

Laguna del Lagarto Lodge - http://www.lagarto-lodge-costa-rica.com/ - Located in 1250 acres of private rainforest, offering birdwatching and rainforest hiking. [English/German/Spanish]

Montaña de Fuego Hotel - http://www.montanadefuego.com/ - Rustic bungalows surrounded by tropical gardens. Each bungalow also has its own parking area and a view of the Arenal Volcano.

Orquideas Inn & Gift Shop - http://www.orquideasinn.com/ - Eighteen-room inn in a garden setting. Photos, rates, and description of features and available day trips.

Posada Mimosa - http://www.mimosa.co.cr/ - Cabins and bed and breakfast accommodations. Includes photos, rates, and description of local activities and community.

Pura Vida Hotel - http://www.puravidahotel.com/ - Rooms in the main house or separate casitas. Includes photos and descriptions, rates and tour info.

Siempreverde Bed & Breakfast - http://www.siempreverdebandb.com/ - Four rooms in the farm house of a coffee plantation, photos and rates. Also offers a bonsai garden and coffee house.

Tabacon Resort - http://www.tabacon.com/ - Hot springs and spa. Describes amenities and provides reservation service. [English/Spanish]

Tilajari Hotel Resort - http://www.tilajari.com/ - The site features rates, services and location information.

Vida Tropical - http://www.vidatropical.com/ - Bed and breakfast guesthouse. Includes list of amenities, photos, prices and area tour info.

Villa Dolce - http://www.villadolce.com/ - Offers villas and apartments near the airport. Includes a photo gallery and rates.

Vista del Valle Plantation Inn - http://www.vistadelvalle.com/ - Nature lodge with rooms in the main house or japanese cottages. Pool, jacuzzi, area attractions, rates.

Xandari Resort Hotel & Spa - http://www.xandari.com/ - Private villas on a former plantation, with dining room and spa. Provides photos, rates, and map.

The towns of La Guacima, La Garita, Atenas, Grecia are among the most popular. Costa Rica, paradise awaits!