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An Introduction to Costa Rica Shopping

The shopping experience in Costa Rica is a contrast between simple home based businesses to high fashion boutiques and department stores. As with any country no one definition would apply. However, if you know where to look and what you are looking for, you'll enjoy your Costa Rica shopping experience.

For those who wish to experience the simple life of the average "campesino" in Costa Rica, check out a local market in a small town such as Grecia. Usually on Saturday mornings they block off a section of town where local farmers and resellers set up stalls to sell fresh produce. You'll find such a variety of foods you won't know where to start and the prices will amaze you (I'm still shocked I can get a large bunch of bananas for about 20 cents US).

As you drive along the country roads and highways you'll see little stands and shops selling home made products such as cheese or salsas, fruit and vegetable stands and a variety of small 'Sodas' (little restaurants), all of which have the best coffee in the world - even if some of them serve it in a drinking glass or a broken cup. Enjoy these little differences. You'll be telling your friends back home about them.

If you long for the comfort of the big malls and department stores don't panic - there are a number of good size malls in the Central Valley where you can get your shopping fix. Malls such as Multiplaza in Escazu, Mall San Pedro (in San Pedro of course) and Paseo de las Flores in Heredia offer everything you will need in the way of purchasing options. You'll find such well known retail establishments as Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica, Liz Claiborne, Zara, Guess, Nine West, Gant and many others too numerous to mention.

In addition to the niche fashion outlets, Costa Rica has a few large regional department store type retailers, namely: Carrion, Aliss, Play and a few others. Recently Walmart purchased controlling interest in the corporation that owns a chain called Hipermas (pronounced ee-per-mas). They have a new large retail center in Escazu and other smaller outlets in San Jose, Heredia and elsewhere.

We have mentioned just a few of the many places to shop in Costa Rica. You'll find, as long as you are in the city areas you can find most of what you may expect to find in your own home country. As you move into the country towns the shops get smaller and the variety shrinks, but this would be the case in almost any country, the difference being: in Costa Rica, you would be driving through a post card.

If you decide to "go native" and visit the San Jose Central Market, just be sure to keep an eye on your valuables. There are a lot of thieves and pickpockets hanging around such places looking for tourists to rob. Just remember to keep your appearance simple - don't invite trouble by wearing a lot of jewelry or looking to dapper. You're in the tropics. Relax.


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