Area: 3,769.1 sq. miles
(Third province in size: 19% of national area)
Population: 716,935 (2000)
Main City: Alajuela
Population Density: 190.2 per square mile
Elevation: 3,123 feet
Average Temperature: 74,4°F
Annual Rainfall: 59-83 inches

Alajuela City is your usual bustling town filled with pedestrians, small shops and eateries.  In front of the large church in the center of town is a public park where you can find a lot of elderly locals giving nicknames to the passers by.  If you are dark skinned they may call you "negro" (pronounced 'neh-grow').  This is in no way meant to offend anyone who may be sensitive about their heritage and/or skin color.  It's just a common local nickname.  Light skinned people may be labeled "macho" or "macha" depending on whether you are male or female.  Other nicknames include:  "gato" (blue or green eyes), "flaco" (skinny), "gordo" (heavy or fat), "viejo" (getting up in years) and there are many more.

Alajuela isn't just a city, it's also a Province.  Within this Province you will find the undisputed number one tourist destination in the country: Arenal Volcano and beautiful Lake Arenal.  Nearby are the incomparable Tabacon Hot Springs where you can soak all your cares away in naturally heated mineral water.  If you plan to visit during the month of February, don't miss the Fiestas de la Fortuna held in mid-February; two weeks of Costa Rican-rules bullfights, colorful carnival rides, greasy carnival food, craft stands and lots of music and dancing.

You will also find Poas Volcano National Park, which surrounds the smoldering Poas Volcano.  The volcano crater is 1.5km (1 mi) across, in the center of which is a simmering sulfuric lake that changes color from turquoise to green to gray.  You can drive to within 300 meters of the crater, and then walk from there to the viewing terraces.  The park's trails lead you through Costa Rica's only dwarf cloudforest.  This is a very popular Costa Rica vacation destination.

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