Costa Rica Guide
The Valle Central and the highlands
Zoo-Ave
The largest aviary in Central America, Zoo-Ave (daily 9am–5pm; $9; 
433-8989, 
www.zooave.org ), at Dulce Nombre, 5km west of Alajuela, is just about the best place in the country – besides the wild – to see Costa Rica's fabulous birds. The exceptionally well-run exhibition has large, clean cages and carefully tended grounds. Many of the birds fly free, fluttering around in a flurry of raucous colours: look out for the kaleidoscopic lapas – scarlet macaw – and wonderful blue parrots. Other birds include chestnut mandibled toucans and the fluffy tropical screech owls. You'll also see primates, from monkeys to marmosets and while a sign in one of the enclosures says, "There are fifty iguanas in this area. Can you find any?", you're unlikely to spot one of these shy creatures. Ideally, you need a minimum of an hour to see everything. The La Garita bus from Alajuela leaves from the area southwest of the main terminal and passes right by Zoo-Ave (15min).
The small hamlet of La Garita, known for having one of the most clement climates in the world, lies 5km west of Zoo-Ave. Fruits, ornamental plants and flowers flourish here, but the only reason to stop, really, is if you happen to be going through to Playa Jacó on the weekends when Restaurante Fiesta del Maíz ("Corn Party Restaurant") is open. The restaurant (open Fri– Sun & holidays) sits just east of Atenas as you head toward the Pacific coast. It draws swarms of Ticos, who come for the tasty under-$5 main courses and snacks, all made from corn. While the Costa Rican fare is authentic, the restaurant itself is disappointingly reminiscent of a fast-food joint, with bolted-down tables and long queues at the till.