Alajuela (pop. 35,000) sits at the base of Volcán Poás, 20 kilometers northwest of San José and two kilometers north of Juan Santamaría Airport and the Pan-American Highway.

First named La Lajuela in 1657, the town is known locally as “La Ciudad de los Mangos” for the mango trees around the main square. Today, Costa Rica’s “second city” is a modestly cosmopolitan town with strong links to the coffee industry.

Saturday is market day, and hundreds of people gather to buy and sell produce fresh from the farm.

It is close to the airport and hence has plentiful hotel options.

Every April 11, Juan Santamaría Day is cause for celebration, with parades, bands, dancing, and arts-and-crafts fairs. The town also hosts the annual nine-day Mango Festival in July.

Getting There

TUASA (tel. 506/222-5325) buses depart San José from Avenida 2, Calle 10/12, every 10 minutes, 5 a.m.–11 p.m. daily. Return buses depart from Calle 8, Avenidas Central/1, in Alajuela. The buses run past the airport.

Major car rental companies have offices opposite the Hampton Inn & Suites. A-1 Rentacar (tel. 506/443-8109, www.a1cr.com) is at Avenida 3, Calle 7.