The capital city of Costa Rica, San Jose, is a popular choice to serve as home base during your visit. However, when you land at Juan Santamaria International Airport, you are actually landing closer to Alajuela than San Jose. Especially if you have been to Costa Rica before, staying in Alajuela gives you the opportunity to try something new. Find a hotel and an airport car rental near Alajuela, and you can experience a great city while still having the mobility to see other parts of the country. If you stay is San Jose and do not rent a car, it is all too easy to spend all of your time there. There’s a lot to do, no doubt, but there are also many great locations that you’re missing. With a rental car in Alajuela, you’ll be able and motivated to explore.
The City
Alajuela itself is a unique city full of museums, parks, and historical buildings. It also houses some great markets to explore. Setting aside a day or two of your trip for the city itself is a great idea, but be sure to then branch out and explore other parts of the country.
The Location
Alajuela is mere minutes from the airport, meaning that you don’t have to cut off as much travel time at either end of your trip. You can spend your last few hours getting in one last attraction rather than traveling to the airport. There are also some breathtaking, often overlooked parks to the north of Alajuela that you can take a day trip to in the car.
An airport car rental and Alajuela are a great combination, opening up opportunities that you would likely not take advantage of anywhere else. While the capital city is a great place to visit, Alajuela is a nice change of pace for second or third time visitors who want to branch out and see more of this beautiful country.
