La Iglesia Central church in Alajuela, Costa RicaLa Iglesia Central church in Alajuela, Costa Rica
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Iglesia_Central_de_Alajuela.jpg
Author: Richie D.
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Alajuela is the second largest city in Costa Rica. It is located in the Central Valley, 19 km to the northwest of the capital San José. The city limits cover only 8.88 sq km (3.4 sq mi), although the urban area today spills over the surrounding districts. Alajuela has a population of 52,000 people (2011 estimate).

The area around Alajuela has been inhabited since pre-Columbian times. The first Spanish to settle here arrived around 1650. A parish was set up in 1777 for the religious use of the growing population. Alajuela received its town hall in 1813. Later that same year the settlement, then known as La Lajuela, was given a town title. It was subsequently renamed Villa Hermosa, and finally San Juan Nepomuceno de Alajuela, from which is derived the present name. Alajuela received city status on 20 November, 1824.

Today the economy of Alajuela is supported by agriculture. Primary commodities include coffee, sugar cane, corn, beans and tobacco. The are also has other commercial enterprises including poultry farming, beekeeping and pig husbandry.

Police station in AlajuelaPolice station in Alajuela
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Policia_Alajuela_Costa_Rica_2013.jpg
Author: Richie D.
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Visiting Alajuela

Alajuela is just 3km from the Juan Santamaría International Airport. You can reach it by taxi for just US$5. If you are going there from San José, the taxi ride will cost you US$20.

The city is small enough for you to navigate on foot. There are a few historic buildings in the city center that you can visit.

Places of Interest in Alajuela

  1. Central Cathedral
    Located at the heart of the city, the cathedral is an excellent piece of Spanish colonial architecture.

  2. Iglesia La Agonía
    A landmark church, five blocks from the cathedral, built in the ornate Baroque style in 1941.

  3. Juan Santamaría Home Neighborhood
    The neighborhood where Costa Rica's national hero lived. A statue commemorating him is found at the public park here.

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