Pura Vida Hotel in Alajuela, Costa Rica, just 4 km from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), can help arrange half-day, one-day and two-day tours, car rentals, English-speaking taxi drivers, private vans and buses to the coast. Approximate prices: taxis $25 to $35 an hour, half-day guided tours from $90, day trips from $170.

Half-Day Tours One Day Tours Two Days Tours

What day trips can I take from Pura Vida Hotel?

There are many things to do and see in the Central Valley, whether you go with a rent-a-car, a pre-arranged tour or a taxi. We are here to help you with car rentals, English-speaking taxi drivers, private vans, buses to the coast, interplanetary transport and more.

Click on the 1/2 day, 1 day or 2 days tours photos above for more info. Don't want to make decisions? Then email or call us at +506-8701-3411 for recommendations.

Is there a map to help plan my day trips?

Our interactive Google Map shows the area and day trip locations. Or just email me with things you might like to do.

Open the Day Trips Map in Google Maps for some ideas (ok a vast amount of ideas :-))

How much do taxis, tours and day trips cost near Pura Vida Hotel?

Here is some idea of local transport costs:

Why spend a day or two in the Central Valley before heading to the beach?

Many first-time guests learn just how much there is to do in Costa Rica and come back the next year to peel away more layers of this onion. Before heading for the beach, stay a day or two in our beautiful Central Valley and learn the answers to some important questions:

• Why are there so many shoe stores in Alajuela?
• Which President accomplished the least? (sometimes a useful trait)
• Was Irazu Volcano always an extraordinary aqua green?
• How do you run a country without a real mail service?
• Why is Braulio Carrillo National Park so difficult to spell?
• How do you find a plumber on a Friday evening? Any evening? What is a plumber?
• What is the REAL reason Costa Rica abolished the army?
• Why a sense of irony will stand you in good stead at PV?
• What good is an Assassin Bug?
• Exactly how many undiscovered ant species are there?

How long does it take to drive in Costa Rica, and will I get lost?

When driving in Costa Rica you can be assured of two things - it will always take longer and you will get lost. Do not worry, because Costa Ricans love to be helpful and giving directions is a national pastime. For typical drive times from the hotel, see our driving times page.

Are there festivals in Costa Rica, and should I book ahead?

If you wake up to the sound of fireworks at 5am, it is either someone having a birthday or it could be a festival. Why not book your trip to coincide with one of the many festivals and cultural events in Costa Rica? Just be aware that around Christmas it can be very hard to find a nice hotel or even a rental car, so book ahead.

Prefer to browse? Our menus list the things we like, sorted into 1/2 day, 1 day and 2 day things to do.

Where can I find last-minute gifts near Pura Vida Hotel?

We are not a shopping country (this is the biggest understatement of this web site), so now we have your expectations set appropriately low:

• Alajuela/Mall Internacional - closest mall, not to be confused with real Malls you may know, pretty awful
• Alajuela Market/Mercado Central - you won't find much but it's a delight and you'll have an excellent sensory experience
• Sarchi - the woodcrafts town of Costa Rica (but it is 30 mins away)
• Namu Gallery, San Jose - best indigenous art and crafts store, check it out for authentic stuff (unfortunately the store is now virtual but it has the best stuff in the country)