[img_assist|nid=53|title=Map of Alajuela|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=|height=0]When you fly into Costa Rica, you don't actually land in San Jose proper, you land in Alajuela. You are in the province of San Jose, but the nearest town is Alajuela. To ease into the country you might want to think about staying in a hotel nearby. There are a number of areas around the airport that have hotels.

I recently had a late night (early morning) arrival in San Jose and so just bopped into town and got a place at the Green Day Inn, a small and inexpensive B & B in Alajuala. Their website is www.greendayinn.com. The family is Randall, Rose Mary, and their son Daniel. The rooms are clean and the mattresses are comfy. We paid $35.00 for a night. Our only complaint was the road noise, but we still managed a decent nights sleep. A simple breakfast is included. If you click on the map of Alajuela below, you'll be able to see an enlarge perspective of the map with Green Day listed.