Alajuela

🇨🇷Costa Rica•Central America

City Score

"A growing hub balancing local authenticity with emerging remote-work infrastructure."

City Metrics

Cost of Living50

Safety76

Healthcare71

Career Opportunities58

Climate75

Transport64

Air Quality78.5

Family Friendliness76

Education70

Top Neighborhoods

Central Core

Historic Quarter

Modern Suburbs

Housing Reality

Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.

Getting Around

Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.

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Frequently Asked Questions

▸Is Alajuela a good place to live?

Alajuela scores 68/100 overall. It is moderately affordable (cost score: 50/100), very safe (safety: 76/100), and has excellent healthcare (healthcare: 71/100). Top neighborhoods include Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.

▸What is the cost of living in Alajuela?

Alajuela has a cost of living score of 50/100 (higher = more affordable). Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.

▸How do I get around Alajuela?

Alajuela has a transport score of 64/100. Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.

▸What are the best neighborhoods in Alajuela?

The most recommended neighborhoods in Alajuela are Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs. A growing hub balancing local authenticity with emerging remote-work infrastructure.

▸Is Alajuela safe for expats?

Alajuela has a safety score of 76/100. The city very safe and has an air quality score of 78.5/100.

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City Deep Dive

Is Alajuela actually livable? See neighborhood rankings, real cost breakdowns, and local quality-of-life scores

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