Alajuela, Costa Rica

Capital City

Living costs 30% less than San José, but you'll need to embrace constant 73-79°F temperatures in this rapidly industrializing Central Valley hub. Just 19km northwest of Costa Rica's capital, this compact 8.89 km² city has transformed from a colonial agricultural center into a key manufacturing zone, particularly for medical devices.

Despite its million-plus population, Alajuela maintains a distinctly local character while serving as a crucial transport nexus. The Juan Santamaría International Airport sits just 3km south of downtown, making this Central America's second-busiest air hub. Free trade zones and manufacturing parks have reshaped the traditional agricultural economy that once focused on coffee, sugar cane and tropical fruits. For expats, the steady year-round temperatures and relatively low humidity (dewpoints around 68°F) offer a practical alternative to San José's congestion, though you'll still face regular earthquakes – the last major one in 2009 registered 6.1 magnitude.