Alajuela

City in Costa Rica and administrative capital of the province of Alajuela; population (1996) 175,100. Situated at an altitude of 952 m/3,123 ft on Costa Rica's central plateau, in the extreme southeast corner of the province, the city is 22 km/14 mi west of San José, (the capital of Costa Rica) on the Inter-American Highway. Alajuela is the commercial centre of an important sugar-growing and cattle-rearing district which also produces cocoa, palm oil, macadamia nuts, cotton, vegetables, and cut flowers. Major industries include timber and flour production.

The city has markets and a monument to Juan Santamaría, a drummer who became a national hero in the 19th century. It is a tourist resort for the people of San José.