La Garita, spanning the Pan-American Highway (Hwy. 1) about 12 kilometers west of Alajuela, is important for its location at the junction of Highway 3, which leads west for Atenas, Orotina, and Puntarenas (and east for Alajuela). The area boasts a salubrious climate, and La Garita is famed for ornamental-plant farms known as viveros and the Zoo Ave wildlife rescue center.

Getting There

Buses for La Garita depart Alajuela every 30 minutes (6 a.m.–9 p.m.) daily from Avenida 2, Calle 10.