About: This is a butterfly garden that offers interactive tours. They highlight the Blue Morpho butterfly although they also have other butterfly species. They will show you all stages of the life cycle, including the eggs, caterpillar, pupa, and of course, butterfly. They have a beautiful cafe and gift shop with unique souvenirs by local…
Author: Ultimate Guide
Jardin Botanico La Catalina
About: This botanic garden offers a guided tour teaching about orchids and an array of other local plants as well as important pollinators as you walk through the property. There is a river with a waterfall at the end. They provide a snack and drink at the end of the tour. Province: Alajuela Starting from:…
Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center
About: This animal sanctuary houses rescue animals that people have found in hurt conditions and brought in for care. The ultimate goal is re-release into the wild when possible, though for various reasons this cannot always happen and they end up staying at the rescue center for life. They offer a tour that explains how…
Capilla Ambar
About: With claims to be the only glass chapel in the world with a butterfly garden inside, this property also offers trails with manicured gardens. They offer tours that cover both their butterfly exhibit as well as their coffee plantation. They also have a cafe, farm animals, and bee houses focused on conservation. Province: Alajuela…
Botanical Orchid Garden La Garita
About: This botanical garden offers trails, playgrounds for children, a koi pond, and an orchid garden. They offer lunch or you can bring your own food for a picnic. Province: Alajuela Starting from: Downtown Alajuela Time to reach from starting location: 23 minutes Time needed for activity: 1+ hour Kid friendly: Yes Wheelchair accessible: Yes…
Downtown Alajuela Waterfalls
Options for waterfalls in Downtown Alajuela:
Vuelta del Cañon Waterfall
About: This is one of several breathtaking waterfalls in the Bajos del Toro region. It is a long, muddy hike that crosses the river several times. The waterfall has 2 levels and a natural pool at the base that you can swim in, though the water is very cold. There is no restaurant, so you…
Tesoro Escondido Waterfall
About: This is one of many private properties in the Bajos del Toro region that gives you access to waterfalls. These trails, however, are the only ones that reach the spectacular Tesoro Escondido Waterfall. Along the way there are equally spectacular natural swimming pools to enjoy with their own smaller falls. The water is freezing…
Salto La Victoria
About: This waterfall has 2 levels and is reached via a trail through a private farm. The 3.5 kilometer hike is guided and has the option of either breakfast or lunch included in a combo. There are viewpoints along the trail all the way to the coast that are particularly spectacular at sunset. You can…
Rio Agrio Waterfalls
About: One of many properties with waterfalls in the Bajos del Toro region, this is the place to choose if you have small kids because of their unique “Dinoland” attraction. This is a special area along the route to the main waterfall where they have several large, realistic dinosaur models, some of which are animatronic….