...Walk-About Tour

As our guest we will take you on a short Walk-About tour through the streets of Alajuela.  Our goal is to familiarize you a bit with Costa Rica and the local way of life. 

On the Walk-About we want to answer your questions and address your concerns. And if you arrive late and are leaving early no problem, we will provide you with the information we can in the morning.

We start the tour by taking you to a bank or an ATM. You need to keep in mind that is best to wait until you are in Costa Rica to change your money into colonies.  Here you will get the best rate of exchange. Banks and financially institutions abroad usually give a lower rate and, at times, include a service charge. 

In Alajuela there are banks opened until 7pm and ATM's are assessable 24 hours.  The airport bank is open until 9:30 pm. Other than staying in 'The Villa' there are ATM's within a few blocks of your hostel, hotel or bed and breakfast.

Most international phone cards and cellular phones bought abroad won't work in Costa Rica. The only phone cards that are guaranteed to function are those issued by the local government.  On the walk-about we will show you where you can purchase a phone card and how it works.  We will also take you to an internet cafe.  

With the Costa Rican tourist board (ICT) advising tourists to carry a copy of their passport and leave the original somewhere safe we will take you to get a copy of your passport.

For a quick glimpse of the diversity of natural resources and to learn a bit about local history we visit the central park and the museum.

A stop at the local market (mercado) and the supermarket are also included. Here you can purchase tropical fruits, water for your journey and find coffee at bargain prices - good for gift buying on your return.  If you are in town on Saturday morning you can go to the local Farmers Market which is a short walk from downtown.  And if you are here on Sunday there is a free concert in the park.

For those staying an extra night in Alajuela we can help get you set up with a local tour. From a day trip canoeing around Arenal to taking a local bus to visit ZooAve you will find plenty to do around Alajuela.  And with most of the larger tours having a local pick up point, in many cases you do not have to go into San Jose to start.  

Sports fans will find that on 'most any Sunday' a futbol (soccer) game is only a bus ride away. For swimmers and sunbathers there is a water park close where the pools are changed daily and fed by fresh underwater springs.  Go-Carts, the Butterfly Farm and a tour of Cafe Britt is also easily reached.

Our Walk-About tour ends at a local restaurant where you can have a delicious typical Costa Rican meal for less than $5.  A Costa Rica beer is a bit over a buck.  

For HomeBase guests: after your Costa Rican adventure is over you return to your HomeBase where you stay the eve of your departure from the country.  If you want we can recommend a few restaurants where you can enjoy your last Costa Rican meal.  One of our clients favorites is a restaurant that is on a hill that overlooks the central valley.  It is a great place for relaxing and for reflecting on your trip.