...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 ways of life. On the tour we want to answer your questions and address your concerns, we want to help you get prepared for your adventure. And if you arrive late and are leaving early no problem, we will adjust the tour and provide you with the information we can.

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 will take you by 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, purchase 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 there will direct you to the local Farmers Market a short walk from downtown and on if you are here on Sundays there is a free concert in the park.

For those staying an extra night in Alajuela we can help get you set up for a 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 most with most of the larger tours having a local pick up point, you do not have to go into San Jose to start a tour.  

Sports fans will find that on 'most any  Sunday' a futbol (soccer) game is only a bus ride away.  There is a water park close where swimmers can swim in pools fed by fresh underwater springs, runners can find a safe place to run and those wanting to play some hoops with the locals can play. The park is a great place for fun under the sun.

Our Walk-About tour ends at a local restaurant where delicious typical Costa Rican meals are less than $5 and a beer is a bit over a buck.  

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.  We will include one that overlooks the central valley offers and where the atmosphere conducive for relaxing for reflecting on your trip with newly made friends.