The areas of Heredia and Alajuela are distinguished for being less crowded and less densely developed than other areas in the central valley of Costa Rica. Heredia and Alajuela are northwest and northeast of San José, easily accessed through the Bernardo Soto and General Cañas highways, part of National Route 1 bside Juan Santamaría’s International Airport. Both areas have a similar balmy weather, ranging between 61 and 84℉, with taller parts in Heredia like Barva offering a cooler mountain weather. Popular neighborhoods in these areas include La Guácima and La Garita in Alajuela, and Cariari, Belén and Santo Domingo in Heredia.