Alajuela travel guide

Buses leave from the bus terminal or one of the many street stops nearby. Buses to San José leave from the main bus terminal and from the station at Av 4, C 2-4 every 10 mins. The latter also provides a half- hourly service between 2400 and 0500, cost US$0.70. From San José buses leave from C 10, Av Central-2 and Av 2, C 10-12 with the latter providing the 24-hr service. Regular buses to Heredia leave from the terminal, first at 0400, last at 2300, US$0.50.

Buses to the Butterfly Farm marked ‘La Guácima abajo’ leave from Av 2 between C 8-10, hourly service, US$0.35. One block west of the terminal buses leave for Grecia, Sarchí and Naranjo every 25 mins, first departure at 0500, last at 2200. One block south of the terminal, buses depart to several small villages in the area, including Laguna de Fraijanes.

Banks Absolutely no shortage of banks to choose from and all within 3 blocks of each other. Banco Nacional, C 2, Av Central-1, is facing Central Park. Banco Interfin next door has Visa and MasterCard ATMs. Banco Crédito Agricola de Cartago, C 2, Av Central-2 (one block south of Central Park). Banco de Santa Cruz, C 2, Av 3 (2 blocks north of Central Park), also the offices of Credomatic.

Internet

Many of the budget accommodation places have internet access. Otherwise, there are several internet places around town but none firmly established. On the south side of the main plaza an upstairs café combines internet with pool, open daily 0900-2200, 250 colones/hr.

Medical services

Emergency: T911. San Rafael Hospital, 200 m southeast of the airport autopista intersection, T2436-1000, can help in a crisis. There are several pharmacies around town.

Post office

on the corner of Av 5 and C 1, Mon-Fri 0800-1730, Sat 0730-1200.