Shopping in Costa Rica for souvenirs can be as gratifying as it can be confusing. While there is an excellent variety of products you can take home to remember your vacations, depending on where you go, they’ll look all the same.
Costa Rica has a multitude of shopping opportunities for tourists, locals and students alike. There are shopping malls with modern stores and food courts for those who want to shop as if they are at home.
Scattered across the country are boutique stores and little stalls on the side of the roads, but also in the smaller villages aligned from the main road, you’ll discover local stores selling crafts and souvenirs.
Shopping malls
If you are looking for Nike, Adidas, Tiffany and other big brand names, you will find them in Costa Rica’s larger shopping malls. Modernised and packed with cinemas, food courts and shops with national and international names you could easily spend most of the day in one of these malls. One of the most popular malls is Multiplaza, in Escazu and has over 360 shops, and Plaza Real Cariari in Heredia has over 24 food galleries, so once you have finished shopping, you can relax over a tasty meal. Terramall is 8km outside of
Cartago and hosts a range of high-end and typical souvenir stores where you will find a range of clothing, perfumes and electronics.
Markets
Costa Rica has markets for food, wooden items and crafts but you’ll also find markets for tourists selling sunglasses, t-shirts and gifts for you to take home. San Jose’s Central Market is a flea market that sells coffee, souvenirs and many other treasures, and is also where the country’s first ice cream vendor set up. It takes both tourist and local needs and attracts over 20,000 people per day, so prepare yourself for the crowds. Shoppers are able to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and roasted coffee, along with a little treat to keep you going whilst you shop.
Boutiques and hidden treasures
Outside the major cities your shopping will be limited to boutique and speciality stores but in these you’ll find tradition and charm, and are likely to meet the people who have created what you are buying. Sarchi, the main town of Alajuela, is the most famous area of handicrafts in Costa Rica where you can shop at over 200 different stores and watch people making ox-carts, now the country’s national symbol. One store, highly recommended by visitors is the Taller Eloy Alfaro, where this family have been crafting ox-carts since 1923 and even the younger generations today are using old methods in their workshop. If you are a nature lover it might be worth taking a visit to the Hummingbird Gallery, just outside the Monteverde reserve. It holds stunning nature photography and artwork by the locals, with feeders that continuously attract beautiful hummingbirds, offering great photo opportunities for visitors.
RocApply Tips and added extras
Much like other tourist destinations, you’ll find much of the same items in every town and even every market so make sure you compare prices at different stalls before making a purchase. Be conscious that people will try and scam you for more money and always be wary of pick-pockets. If you want to buy liquor, travelers have recommended waiting until you get to the duty free at the airport so it is cheaper and you know it is the real brand.
"I enjoy shopping and I found it affordable but some of the clothes are definitely not of the highest quality." - Hassan from Turkey
