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Are you landing at SJO and don't know what to do on your first or last night in Costa Rica? We are here to help!
First of all, let´s set some facts straight: when you arrive in SJO, the land under your feet is not San José but actually the city of Alajuela, so we would like to show you some of the beauty that surrounds the area and what you can do at the beginning or end of your trip...even both if you will !
Poás Volcano. 13.5 km away from the airport (about 35 minutes). Recommended to visit during mornings so you can see the crater, otherwise it may be too cloudy.
Juan Santamaría Cultural Historical Museum. Opened since 1974, used to be a jail. You get some history, art, nature and also local culture. It's located in down town Alajuela, 5 minutes away from the SJO airport
We bet you are curious to know why your airline ticket says SJO if you are not landing in San José. The reason for this is that the first Airport in Costa Rica was located in San José, but it became too small pretty quickly so the new airport was built in Alajuela, a different city, 45 minutes away from the old airport and the goberment never changed the nomenclature, so it stayed as it is today. Why is this important? Because when you travel thinking you will land in SJO you will naturally look for things to do in San José, when you have many treasures to discover very close from where you land, in the city of Alajuela, which by the way is on your way to the beach (to go to Puntarenas and Guanacaste)! And that's where we come in, to provide information about what to do when you stay your first or last night of your trip close to where you land.
We bet you are curious to know why your airline ticket says SJO if you are not landing in San José. The reason for this is that the first Airport in Costa Rica was located in San José, but it became too small pretty quickly so the new airport was built in Alajuela, a different city, 45 minutes away from the old airport and the goberment never changed the nomenclature, so it stayed as it is today. Why is this important? Because when you travel thinking you will land in SJO you will naturally look for things to do in San José, when you have many treasures to discover very close from where you land, in the city of Alajuela, which by the way is on your way to the beach (to go to Puntarenas and Guanacaste)! And that's where we come in, to provide information about what to do when you stay your first or last night of your trip close to where you land.
Things to know about the city of Alajuela
Things to know about the city of Alajuela
Alajuela is Costa Rica’s second-largest city. It lies 20 km northwest of the capital in the beautiful Central Valley, this city is very special and that’s why many tourists, decide to set it as a second home
Alajuela is Costa Rica’s second-largest city. It lies 20 km northwest of the capital in the beautiful Central Valley, this city is very special and that’s why many tourists, decide to set it as a second home
This city became very famous and popular since it is the hometown of the country’s national hero Juan Santamaria, he was just a simple and brave drummer boy, who sacrificed his life to save Costa Rica during the battle of the Hacienda Santa Rosa, in 1856, against the forces of William Walker.
This city has an important place in Costa Rica’s history, as it was an active supporter of independence from Spain. Known as Villahermosa and La Lajuela, Alajuela was even the capital of Costa Rica for a brief period.
This city has an important place in Costa Rica’s history, as it was an active supporter of independence from Spain. Known as Villahermosa and La Lajuela, Alajuela was even the capital of Costa Rica for a brief period.
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