Costa Rica has been inhabited for nearly 10,000 years, but little is known of its pre-Columbian history. Alajuela was occupied by several indigenous groups just before the arrival of the Spanish. Despite being between tw… See more

The province is located in the North Central Plains and borders Nicaragua (Departamento de Rivas, Departamento del Río San Juan) to the north and the Costa Rican provinces of Heredia to the east, San José to … See more

Although several ecosystems exist in the province, the Llanuras del Norte (Northern Plains) and the Central Valley highlands are two distinct divisions. The Llanuras del Norte stretch across several provinces, while the C… See more

The base of the Alajuela's economy remains agricultural production. In the southern highlands of the province, tropical ornamentals, coffee, tubers, and green vegetables are the major crops. Rice, corn, pineapple, … See more

Alajuela takes a central place in Costa Rica's literary tradition, evidenced by the numerous authors raised in the country and their commitment to public libraries. There are 14 public libraries in Alajuela, more than any other p… See more