Getting Around Alajuela

Alajuela on Foot:

 A car is not necessary for travel within Alajuela as the city is easy to navigate on foot; visitors can walk the entire downtown area in less than 45 minutes. The town center is framed by Calle Ancha (wide street) which runs the perimeter of the city much like a large box.

The heart of Alajuela is Parque Central and the Catholic Church, both commonly used as landmarks when giving directions. Avenidas (avenues) run east/west and Calles (streets) run north/south. However, Alajuela has few street signs and Calles and Avenidas are rarely used in directions.
 
Addresses like this are common:

"200 metros sur y 300 metros este del Parque Central
Two blocks south and three blocks east of Central Park"

Taxis:

Taxis are plentiful and visitors will find taxi stands along Alajuela’s main parks and behind the Mall Internacional. They are a convenient way of getting around town but can be pricey for long hauls. All official red taxis have meters that calculate fares based on distance and travel time.
 
Official Red Taxi

Tel: 2443-3535, 2443-3030
 
Sample taxi fares from the center of Alajuela to nearby destinations: (all one-way)

• Juan Santamaria International Airport ¢1,200 - ¢2,000 ($2.30-$3.80)

• San Jose - ¢7,000 ($14.00)

• Heredia - ¢5,000 ($10.00)

• Zoo Ave (in La Garita) - ¢2,000 ($2.30)

• Atenas - ¢6,000 - ¢8,000 ($11.60-$15.50)

• La Guacima - ¢5,000 ($9.70)

• Doka Estate Coffee Plantation - ¢ 5,000 - $cent; 6,000 ($10.00 - $12.0)

• La Paz Waterfall Gardens - ¢15,000 - ¢18,000 ($30.00 - $36.00) 

Bus:

Alajuela has an extensive and reliable public transportation system. The main bus terminal, TUASA, is three blocks west and one block south of Parque Central. TUASA buses (red color) depart daily for San Jose, Heredia and Poas Volcano National Park.
 
TUASA Schedule: 

San Jose
Buses depart Alajuela every five to ten minutes beginning at 4 a.m. with the last bus at 10 p.m. The trip lasts from 45 minutes to one hour and costs 310 colones (60 cents). Some buses are marked direct while others make a few stops along the way, including the airport.
 
Heredia

Buses depart every eight minutes for Heredia starting at 4 a.m. until 10 p.m. The trip lasts from 40 minutes to an hour and costs 225 colones (50 cents). Direct buses do not pass by the international airport.
 
Poas Volcano National Park

Buses depart from San Jose and pass by Alajuela’s TUASA station at 9:15 a.m. Cost is 1,410 colones ($3) roundtrip. The bus departs Poas at 2:30 p.m. and returns to Alajuela by 3:30 p.m.

For destinations including La Garita, Sarchi, Atenas, Grecia and other small towns, buses leave from the El Pacifico bus station, just a half a block south of the TUASA terminal.

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