...Walk-About Tour

As our guest we will take you on a Walk-About tour through the streets of Alajuela. Our objective 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. 

For those arriving late and leaving early no problem.  We will meet with you in the morning to answer the questions we can.

On the Walk-About we start by taking you to a bank or an ATM so you can get some of the local currency. Naturally, for the best rate it is best to wait until you are in the country to exchange money.  When exchanging abroad banks and financially institutions 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 a day.  The bank upstairs in the airport is open until 9:30 pm.

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'll also show you the locations of internet cafes.

The Costa Rican tourist board (ICT) advises tourists to carry a copy of their passport and leave the original somewhere safe.  A copy of your passport is not valid without a Costa Rica entrance stamp.  So we will take you to a store where you can get a copy of your passport and entrance stamp.

For a quick glimpse of the diversity of natural resources and to learn a bit about local history we walk through central park and go by 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 gifts and you can buy it on your return.  If you are in town Saturday morning you can go to the local Farmers Market which is a short walk from downtown.  And if you are here on Sunday you can enjoy a free concert in the park.

If you are 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 and a Costa Rica beer is a bit over a buck.

HomeBase guests return to your HomeBase after your adventure where you stay on the eve of your departure from the country. 

If you want we can recommend a few restaurants where you can enjoy your last Tico 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 good food, relaxing and for reflecting on your trip.