Grecia is often considered one of the cleanest cities in Costa Rica and is recognized for its unique central church building made of… iron!
What's New?
The canton of Alajuela is like a visiting card of the province and a mandatory crossing point for those coming or leaving Costa Rica. It is home to the Juan Santamaría International Airport, ...
in Costa Rica Can non-resident foreigners own Property in Costa Rica? The short answer? Yes. The long answer? It depends on what …
The Costa Rican tax system is based on the principle of territoriality, one of the most favorable for people who earn income from outside the country....
For years, Costa Rica was seen as a corner of paradise where you could retire, grow orchids, and eat papaya while counting your pills. Then ...
What's New?
Grecia is often considered one of the cleanest cities in Costa Rica and is recognized for its unique central church building made of… iron!
The canton of Alajuela is like a visiting card of the province and a mandatory crossing point for those coming or leaving Costa Rica. It is home to the Juan Santamaría International Airport, ...
in Costa Rica Can non-resident foreigners own Property in Costa Rica? The short answer? Yes. The long answer? It depends on what …
The Costa Rican tax system is based on the principle of territoriality, one of the most favorable for people who earn income from outside the country....
For years, Costa Rica was seen as a corner of paradise where you could retire, grow orchids, and eat papaya while counting your pills. Then ...
What's New?
Grecia is often considered one of the cleanest cities in Costa Rica and is recognized for its unique central church building made of… iron!
The canton of Alajuela is like a visiting card of the province and a mandatory crossing point for those coming or leaving Costa Rica. It is home to the Juan Santamaría International Airport, ...
in Costa Rica Can non-resident foreigners own Property in Costa Rica? The short answer? Yes. The long answer? It depends on what …
The Costa Rican tax system is based on the principle of territoriality, one of the most favorable for people who earn income from outside the country....
For years, Costa Rica was seen as a corner of paradise where you could retire, grow orchids, and eat papaya while counting your pills. Then ...
Analysis by Province - Alajuela
Area: 9,757.53 km2 / Population: 1,055,637
Alajuela Province – first stop in Costa Rican reality
Alajuela is one of the 7 provinces of Costa Rica and, in my opinion, one of the most balanced areas for those who really want to live here, not just come “to see what it’s like”.
Located in the north of the country, it borders Nicaragua, it perfectly combines decent cities with gorgeous rural areas.
It is the second largest and has a total of 16 cantons and 116 districts.
The city of Alajuela, the capital of the province, is right next to San José, but without all that chaotic hustle and bustle. Here you can find everything: from local markets, hospitals and schools, to coffee plantations, mountains, hot springs and the famous Arenal Volcano.
Border:
– to the north with Nicaragua,
– to the east with Heredia and San José,
– to the south with Puntarenas
– to the west also with Puntarenas.
Administrative division:
Capital: Alajuela (city)
– 16 cantons
– 116 districts
Administrative data:
Location: Northwest of the country
Area: 9,757.53 km2
Population: 1,055,637
✅ Advantages:
- Quick access to nature and tourism (volcanoes, waterfalls, hot springs)
- Warm, generally peaceful people
- Quiet and inexpensive rural areas to live in
- Variable climate – you can choose warm or cooler
- Prices a bit more affordable than in San José
❌ Disadvantages:
- Poor infrastructure in some areas (broken roads, lack of sewage)
- During the rainy season some routes can become impassable
- Crime exists, but it is concentrated mainly in border areas and in a few cantons close to large cities – not throughout the province
Main income
Agriculture, tourism, trade
Development & infrastructure
Good in tourist areas and close to the city
Standard of living
High in active and touristic rural areas, medium elsewhere
Recommendation
Very good for a balanced life.
Observations
Nature, decent infrastructure, stable communities.
Alajuela Province
What makes this province special?
perfectly combines decent cities with gorgeous countryside
Arenal Volcano
One of the most famous active volcanoes in the world, but also a major source of tourism
(La Fortuna is like a magnet for tourists).
Cafetales
(coffee plantations)
A heavy production area, including for export. The coffee here reaches all over the world.
Clima
(Varies enormously)
From hot and dry in the San Carlos area, to humid and tropical in La Fortuna or Monteverde.
Life
Authentic rural life in small villages is different. People know each other, and life is simple but meaningful.
City of Alajuela
The city of Alajuela is not as bustling as San José, but it is big enough to find everything you need.
mountains, plains, agricultural areas
The most famous cantons
Alajuela is the second largest province in Costa Rica and one of the most diverse. It has it all: mountains, plains, agricultural areas, cities, isolated villages, and of course – well-known tourist areas.
Alajuela
The provincial capital, close to the international airport (SJO).
San Carlos
Where is La Fortuna located; tourism, agriculture, thermal waters.
Grecia & Naranjo
Areas with serious coffee production and a more “laid-back” atmosphere.
Zarcero
Known for its park with artistically trimmed shrubs (and good cheese).
Los Chiles
Border area with Nicaragua, with a lot of trade and movement.
Is it safe in Alajuela? Yes!
Safety in Alajuela Province
Alajuela is the kind of province where life flows more peacefully than in big cities, with lots of greenery, smiling neighbors and cities where people greet each other on the street even if they don’t know each other.
The rural and tourist areas — such as La Fortuna, Grecia or Sarchí — are very peaceful, and the communities are quite close-knit.
In general, you feel good and safe, especially if you are used to a relaxed lifestyle.
Of course, like everywhere else in the world, there are areas here where it’s good to be careful, especially in more crowded or urban areas, such as the city of Alajuela or the area around the airport.
We’re not talking about major dangers, but classic things: don’t leave your bag open in a cafe, don’t leave your phone on the table in the market, and don’t keep your laptop in the car — you know, common sense.
🟢 In short
If you behave normally, with a little care, you have nothing to worry about. And the good part?
In most places in Alajuela, it’s not only safe — but someone might greet you with “pura vida” before you can even say anything!
No filters - No superficiality
Personal Observations
I’ve been here for over 20 years, since the time when the runway in San Jose was like a country road and the airport offices were containers on goats. I didn’t come for luxury and I didn’t expect milk and honey to flow. But if you’re a normal person, don’t get into trouble and don’t come with pretensions, you can have a quiet life. A very good one, actually.
Alajuela is not perfect – it also has its drawbacks, I’ll point them out in due time – but it’s far from the image of a “country of dangers” that some people who haven’t even been here for more than a month sell.
I live in the Fortuna – San Carlos area. When I first arrived, the place was really rustic: gravel streets, people with bags, simple life. Today, a lot has changed, but the essence has remained. If you’re respectful and do your job, you can enjoy a beautiful life, without any hassle. It’s not all perfect, but it’s real and human.
Discover useful details about each canton in the region
