To visit Costa Rica is to fall in love with the people, with the weather, with the scenery! To live well in Costa Rica is to experience the entire country, one daily excursion at a time. This is best done from a home in the Central Valley and Mana Condominiums. The site is located a short walk from downtown Alajuela, on the slope of the eastern mountain range of the Central Valley. Our Alajuela vacation rental offers a view of the city with mountains as its backdrop.

Imagine arriving at Jaun Santamaria International Airport in capital city of San Jose (it is actually in the suburb of Alajuela), and taking a short 10 minute cab ride to your condominium (freshly stocked with food and other necessities by our management company, if you so request). Be sure to appreciate the mountain view it would be a shame to ever overlook the beautiful vista simply because it is yours to enjoy every day.The temperature is probably 78 degrees and sunny, the weather in the Central Valley varies little. The rainy season from May to October brings afternoon showers, but most mornings are the same year round perfect! While some say the coasts are too hot in the dry season (November to April), the higher altitude in the Central Valley brings temperate weather all year.

From your Alajuela vacation condo, it is a short 5 minute walk downtown to shop at the central market, do you banking, worship at the cathedral or a dozen other churches, conduct business at the courthouse or other government buildings. The International Mall is located just a few minutes from the Central Park.

By living in the Central Valley, you will enjoy access to hospitals, full-service pharmacies, a wide choice of doctors, dentists, chiropractors, and spa services. The capital city boasts a wide variety of the arts, theater, museums, and galleries. Soccer is a national obsession, and each of the Central Valley cities of Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, and San Jose have first division soccer teams in the 12 team national league. The choice of restaurants is endless.

Your new life in Costa Rica may include full or part time employment. The Central Valley is home to most of the country's population and to many multi-national corporations such as Intel and Hewlitt Packard just to name a few. The economy is robust. Jobs for English speaking people are plentiful.

Ready to explore the rest of the country? There is no better place to start than from the heart of the country, the capital of San Jose and the surrounding suburbs, including Alajuela. Take a bus tour (or drive yourself) to many different one day excursions. Just remember, sometimes a one day trip can turn into a lost weekend!

Costa Rica is blessed with the most perfect climate in the world, especially in the Central Valley. Where else in world can you visit a beach, a volcano, a rainforest, and a coffee plantation, all in the same day if you chose? Costa Rica is said to be the most ecologically diverse place on earth. Ten percent of the world's animal species live in this amazing place, roughly the size of the state of West Virginia. Ecotourism was practically invented in Costa Rica! Yet, the country boasts a modern (and affordable!) health care system, a stable democratic government, an excellent transportation system, and a very low cost of living!

Costa Rica is not just for beach lovers although you will find some of the most pristine beaches anywhere. The country also offers internationally reknown sport fishing, surfing, whitewater rafting, and canopy zip-line tours. If it is flora and fauna you seek, Costa Rica is amazing bird watching, hiking in the rainforest, exploring active volcanoes, and hiking in the many national parks (home to 4 species of monkeys, plus sloths, frogs, sea turtles, and many more!).

Visit the many sides of Costa Rica all a short day trip from the modern conveniences and perfect weather of the Central Valley and Mana Condominiums.

Pura Vida!