Alajuela

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National Museum of Costa Rica
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

National Museum of Costa Rica

6.1
5.0/5
6 reviews
National Museum of Costa Rica is located in the heart of San Jose, next to Plaza de la Democracia. The yellow fortress-like building is a piece of history in itself: the outer walls still bear bullet marks from the 1948 civil war. On December 1 of that same year, José Figueres Ferrer famously swung a sledgehammer against the western wall of the barracks to announce the abolition of the army. Later, the barracks were officially converted into a museum, transforming from a military fortress into a cultural space. The visit begins at the butterfly garden near the entrance. The central courtyard displays several Diquis stone spheres; these perfectly round prehistoric stone spheres are highly recognizable artifacts of Costa Rica, and their discovery sites were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2014. The museum's exhibitions follow a chronological timeline: the Pre-Columbian hall uses hundreds of artifacts, such as pottery, jade carvings, and grinding stones, to tell the story of the life and beliefs of the inhabitants before the arrival of the Spanish; the Gold Hall displays animal-shaped gold ornaments and miniature shaman figures; the Colonial and Republican History halls use old photographs and artifacts to show how coffee, bananas, and the railway changed the country; in the exhibition area converted from old prison cells, graffiti carved by prisoners in the 1930s and 1940s still remains on the walls. After viewing the exhibitions, you might want to head to the second-floor terrace and the central courtyard to overlook downtown San Jose.San Jose · 18.1km from Alajuela

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Experiences you can't miss in Alajuela

Featured Culture & history in Alajuela

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Chocolate and Coffee Tour Farm Don Jorge
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5.0/5
· 43 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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43 consecutive positive reviews
FromTWD 1,640
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugarcane Tour La Fortuna
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Duration: 90 mins
English
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FromTWD 1,817
Punta Arenas Audio Tour: City Wonders
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Duration: 45 mins
English
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20% off
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FromTWD 235TWD 294
San José: Guided Historical & Cultural Walking Tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2.5 hrs
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FromTWD 779TWD 821
San José: Hacienda La Chimba Coffee Experience Tour
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Duration: 1 hr
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5% off
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FromTWD 1,628TWD 1,714
Vista Los Sueños: Cacao Plantation & Chocolate Tasting
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
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FromTWD 1,558TWD 1,641
San José Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Historical Landmarks
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
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FromTWD 235TWD 294

Featured Food & drink in Alajuela

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Poas Coffee tour, La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 10 hrs
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5% off
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FromTWD 2,945TWD 3,101
Coffee Farm tour, Poas Volcano Park and La Paz Waterfall
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San José: Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall & Coffee Tasting
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4.7/5
· 17 reviews
Duration: 1 day
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5% off
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FromTWD 3,273TWD 3,446
La Fortuna: Relax Termalitas Hot Springs Entry with Meal
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Farm to Table Cooking Class
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4.8/5
· 156 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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23 consecutive positive reviews
FromTWD 1,476
Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class
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5.0/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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FromTWD 1,247
San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets
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4.9/5
· 912 reviews
Duration: 210 mins
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97.6% of travelers recommend
FromTWD 1,148

Featured Spa & wellness in Alajuela

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San José: Arenal Volcano, Waterfalls, Coffee and Hot Springs
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4.7/5
· 287 reviews
Duration: 14 hrs
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51 consecutive positive reviews
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FromTWD 5,143TWD 5,414
San José: Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs, & Zip Lining w/ Meals
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4.9/5
· 110 reviews
Duration: 14 hrs
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85 consecutive positive reviews
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Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose
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4.8/5
· 312 reviews
Duration: 14 hrs
Free cancellation
95.8% of travelers recommend
FromTWD 5,412
Costa Rica: Baldi Hot Springs Day Pass with Optional Meals
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4.6/5
· 57 reviews
English
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93% of travelers recommend
5% off
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FromTWD 1,870TWD 1,969

Featured Day tours in Alajuela

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1-day tour to Poas volcano + coffee farm + waterfall from San Jose, Costa Rica from 1 person
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FromTWD 4,375
1-day tour to Poas volcano coffee farm and La Paz waterfall gardens from San Jose, Costa Rica
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FromTWD 7,815
San Jose: Zipline La Carpintera Tour
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5.0/5
· 42 reviews
Duration: 3 hrs
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42 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
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FromTWD 1,932TWD 2,034

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Alajuela Today's weatherFoggy 19-25℃
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What travellers say about Alajuela

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099***5014 August 2022
5.0
The overall environment is good, the facilities are complete, and it also meets the epidemic prevention standards. It's good

National Museum of Costa Rica

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5O1 December 2025
5.0
Stepping into the marble hall of the Costa Rica National Theatre, I was immediately struck by the mural "A Harvest of Coffee and Bananas" on the ceiling—the smiles of the peasant women carrying fruit baskets on their heads made even the gilded crystal chandeliers seem humble. I discreetly touched the cracks in the red velvet seats; the pine frame from 1877 had been deliberately preserved during the renovation. During intermission, I slipped onto the terrace to watch a street performer dance reggae under the theatre's archway, his radio static clashing with the Mozart melodies drifting from inside the hall, echoing between the colonial-era columns. Most unforgettable was discovering a secret hidden in the orchestra pit floor: the conductor had each musician carve their initials, and a century later, those letters remained clear under the lights, like lingering echoes yet to be played.

National Theater of Costa Rica

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Alajuela?

Don't miss these attractions in Alajuela: La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park, National Museum of Costa Rica, and National Theater of Costa Rica. If you like Culture & history, try Chocolate and Coffee Tour Farm Don Jorge. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Costa Rica San Jose Poas volcano coffee plantation and La Paz waterfall 1-day tour.

You can give Costa Rica San Jose Poas volcano coffee plantation and La Paz waterfall 1-day tour and Poas Coffee tour, La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include 1-day tour in Costa Rica - Poas volcano + Doka coffee estate + La Paz waterfall, 1-day tour to Poas volcano + coffee farm + waterfall from San Jose, Costa Rica from 1 person, and 1-day tour to Poas volcano coffee farm and La Paz waterfall gardens from San Jose, Costa Rica. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 4 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Alajuela is around TWD 1,932 – TWD 7,927. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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