Costa Rica Guide
The Valle Central and the highlands
La Guácima Butterfly Farm
La Guácima Butterfly Farm (daily 8.30am–5pm, last tour at 3pm; $15; 
438-0400, 
www.butterflyfarm.co.cr ), 14km southwest of Alajuela, breeds valuable pupae for export to zoos and botanical gardens all over the world. Tours begin with an audiovisual exhibit introducing the processes involved in commercial butterfly breeding, after which guides explain all aspects of butterfly life, including their cruelly short lifespans, while flashes of bright colours flutter prettily around the mesh-enclosed breeding area. Look out in particular for the Blue Morpho, one of Costa Rica's rarest and most beautiful butterflies. The farm also has beautiful views over the Valle Central; in the wet season, be sure to go early, as the rain drives the butterflies to hide, and clouds obscure the views. If you call the farm in advance, pick-ups can be arranged from hotels in San José.
Buses from San José to La Guácima leave from Av 1, C 20/22, every hour; the trip takes one hour. Return buses to the capital leave every hour, the last bus is at 5.25pm. You can also pick up the Alajuela service to La Guácima (approximately 30 minutes) – look for buses marked "La Guácima Abajo" at 8.30am, 9am, 10.30am, 12.30pm, 1pm and 2.30pm; the Butterfly Farm is practically the last stop, and they will let you off at the gates. Return buses pass the gates of the farm at about 11.10am, 11.40am, 1.10pm, 1.40pm, 3pm, 3.40pm and 5pm; get to the stop a little early just to make sure.