 Services:
Phones
Cell phones work in Alajuela and can even be rented from most car rental agencies and from a few private businesses. Most mid-range hotels and internet cafes allow international calls and have reasonable rates. Visitors can purchase pre-paid phone cards in any pharmacy or supermarket for both local and international calls (often at much cheaper rates).
Pay phones are located in central park and are also scattered throughout town. Some take local coins and others require phone cards.
Internet
More and more hotels are offering WiFi internet service to guests. The Juan Santamaria International Airport is a WiFi hotspot.
Internet cafes are plentiful in Alajuela. Most charge 400 colones (just under $1) for an hour of service and several are open on Sundays.
Faxes
Faxes can be sent and received at many hotels and internet cafes.
Facilities:
Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)
Located in the arrival area at the international airport, ICT is a good source of information for newcomers to Costa Rica.
Tel: 506-2-442-1820
Banks and ATMs
Alajuela has more than 15 banks where visitors can change money. Several are clustered around Parque Central and most have ATM machines.
All of the following banks have ATM machines:
ScotiaBank, located one block north of the park, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Banco Nacional, facing the west side of Parque Central, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Banex Bank is on the south side of the park and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Banco San Jose, one block north of the Catholic Church, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Alajuela has three Mas por Menos supermarkets which also have ATMs.
Medical Facilities
The Red Cross (Cruz Roja) in Alajuela provides 24-hour ambulance service. Patients are taken to Hospital San Rafael de Alajuela which has modern facilities. There are several private clinics in town that treat patients for minor injuries only. Private hospitals in San Jose, such as Clinica Biblica and CIMA hospital, are less than 20 kilometers away and have English speaking staff and modern facilities.
All emergencies: 911
Alajuela Red Cross: 506-2-441-3939
Hospital San Rafael de Alajuela: 506-2-436-1000
CIMA Hospital (Escazu): 506-2-208-1144
Clinica Biblica Hospital (San Jose): 506-2-522-1000
Police
The local police station is next to the El Pacifico bus terminal. In addition to regular police, Alajuela now has tourist police. Clad in neon yellow vests, they speak a bit of English and are trained to assist tourists with everything from directions to personal theft.
Tel: 506-2-440-8890
Post Office
Located two blocks north of the Catholic Church, the post office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Gas Stations
There are several gas stations on the outskirts and throughout the center of Alajuela. Many are full-service and offer oil changes and car washes.
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