Restaurants:
Visitors will discover small eateries on almost every city block. Roasted chicken, fine steaks, Tex-Mex and “tipico” food are all available, as are American fast-food chains.
Here is a sampling of Alajuela's many cafes and restaurants:
Cafe Tres Generaciones
Cappuccinos, empanadas, pastries and cakes. Also sells Doka Estate’s Tres Generaciones coffee by the pound. Located on Calle Ancha (the wide street that runs the perimeter of Alajuela) opposite the Farmacia del Este.
Schedule: Open Monday through Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Soda Palmares
Serves American-style breakfasts but specializes in Casados, a plate of rice, beans, salad, ripe plantain and a choice of grilled or fried chicken, fish or pork. Huge portions. Seating is in a quiet courtyard area with fishpond. Delivery service is free. Located 75 meters east (just under one block) of the old San Rafael Hospital.
Schedule: Open 7 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Sundays from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Jalapenos
Authentic Tex-Mex cuisine and a great place to meet other travelers and swap stories. Features enchiladas, chalupas and burritos as well as BLT's and chilidogs. Complete lunches cost 2000 colones ($4) and will leave you stuffed. Dessert specialties, all baked by La Casa de Chocolate, include New York cheesecake and chocolate-covered spice cake.
Schedule: Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Marisqueria El Cevichazo
Specializes in Peruvian dishes like Ceviche (fish or shrimp cooked in lime juice and served with chopped cilantro and onions), Sopa de Pescado (fish soup) and seafood. Located three and a half blocks south of Iglesia la Agonia on the Calle Ancha.
Schedule: Open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Restaurant Como En Casa
Features a fusion of Costa Rican and Argentinean cuisine. Steaks (T-bones and filets), grilled chicken and ribs, pastas and a selected fine wines. Dishes start at 3,600 colones ($7.50). Located a half block east of La Tropicana gas station.
Schedule: Open from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
Papaya
Simple cafe next to Banco Nacional on the west side of Parque Central. Great place for a natural fruit juice, coffee or light snack. They offer pan de yucca (a sweet cake made from yucca), sandwiches, and other daily specials at reasonable prices.
Schedule: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Restaurante Fuente Termal
Serves everything from whole roasted chickens to chop suey and fried rice. Delivery service available. Located two blocks north of Iglesia la Agonia.
Schedule: Open from 11:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Mirador del Valle
Rustic, rancho-style restaurant and bar with fantastic views of the Central Valley. Inexpensive bocas (small snacks) starting from 800 colones ($1.50). Features both Tico and international cuisine. Located in Pilas, on the road to Poas, about six kilometers north of Alajuela.
Schedule: Restaurant is open from Noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Nightlife:
Although a large city, Alajuela isn’t famed for its nightlife. Low-key neighborhood bars are relatively easy to seek out, but dance halls and discos are rare.
Casino Fiesta
Live music, shows and plenty of slot machines and card games. Expensive by Tico standards ($3 beers), the Fiesta Casino is next to the Garden Court hotel at the airport intersection.
El Spectro Disco
Good spot for dancing to contemporary and Latin music. Popular with locals and packed on weekends. Located on Calle 2, between Avenidas 10 and 12.
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