
17 Uniquely Costa Rican Things to Buy in San Jose
1. Jewelry

Tienda EÑe on the first floor of the Jimenez Building, in Plaza España, displays jewelry by Costa Rican and Latin American designers. Kiosco San José highlights unique collections from local artists, such as Ninna Accessories. Costa Rican artisans, who work in various mediums, display their work inside Casa 927. Galvez Bijoux (www.galvezbijoux.com), Sandra Fajardo (ivetartefusion@gmail.com), Artiliches (artiliches@gmail.com) and D’crochet (www.artesaniasdecrochet.com), all collaborate under the Casa 927 roof. In Escazú, Atelier Diseño Organico in the Tierra Buena Mall sells jewelry and belts made of recyclable products by Reciclarte, as well as pendants and necklaces by the local artists working with glass. Studio Metallo in Barrio Escalante is an established gallery and jewelry design academy. Studio Metallo is located 675 meters east of the Santa Teresita church in Barrio Escalante (www.studiometallo.com or 506-2225-1570).
Address: Bajos de la Plaza de la Cultura. Avenida Central. Calle 5 San José Centro San José CR 10104, Av. Central, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2243-4214
Website: www.museodelbancocentral.org
Tienda EÑe
Address: Entre Avenida 7 y Calle 11A, San José, Calle 11A, San José, Costa Rica
Atelier Diseño Organico
Address: San José Province, Escazu, Costa Rica
Studio Metallo
Address: 675 meters east of the Santa Teresita church in Barrio Escalante San José, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-2225-1570
Website: www.studiometallo.com
2. Traditional Oxcarts

Souvenir La Casona on Calle 0, just 1/2 block from Avenida Central, heading north, has a large collection. The store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. You can also find several vendors selling oxcarts in Mercado Central (Central Market). The Mercado Central is located on Avenida Central. Market hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The makeshift structure, lining Plaza del la Democracia in front of the National Museum, is also a good place to shop for oxcarts (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Costa Rican jewelry designer Galvez Bijoux (www.galvezbijoux.com) has created a contemporary line of accessories that highlights the traditional oxcart. Her work is on display at Casa 927 on the corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3 (www.casa927.shutterfly.com or 506-2221-2302).
Address: 1/2 block from Avenida Central, heading north
Operation Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Mercado Central
Address: Avenida Central
Operation Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Casa 927
Address: corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3
Operation Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2221-2302
Website: www.casa927.shutterfly.com
3. Handbags

Ma-Bo designs stylish purses, backpacks, tote bags and computer sleeves that convey messages of faith and hope. Ma-Bo boutique is located in San Pedro, San José, 400 meters east of Plaza Roosevelt (www.mabodesigns.com or 506-2224-3964). The store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. San Pedro is home to several universities and a lively neighborhood. To get to the heart of the university area from Ma-Bo, cross to the north side of Avenida Central, where you will find a mix of shops, restaurants and bars.
Address: Entre Avenida 7 y Calle 11A, San José, Calle 11A, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Kiosco San José
Address: Calle 7, Avenida 11 in Barrio Amón, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: noon to 6 p.m.; Monday: noon-6 p.m.
Casa 927
Address: corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3, San José, Costa Rica
Atelier Diseño Organico
Address: Mall Buena Tierra, San José Province, Escazu, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-8883-4344
Website: www.artecassia.com
Ma-Bo
Address: 400 meters east of Plaza Roosevelt, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone: 506-2224-3964
Website: www.mabodesigns.com
4. Alcohol

Centenario is a rum produced in Costa Rica, and is also readily available at local supermarkets and liquor stores. You can find pints and liters aged for 5, 7 and 9 years. One liter of Centenario rum aged 5 years costs $20. Pint-size bottles run around $6. Their website www.centenariorum.com also shares recipes. Café Rica liqueur is another popular beverage often seen accompanying bags of coffee in gift shops. It can be found at Auto Mercado supermarkets.
5. Hand-Crafted Shoes

For those in the market for hip shoe styles, Kiosco San José, Tienda EÑe and Casa 927 all carry hand-crafted shoes stitched with colorful textiles and recyclable materials. Cecilia Sofía Altamirano Jiménez, on display at Casa 927, is carrying on the family shoe business her grandfather started in 1934 (www.calzadoaltamirano.com).
Address: Novacentro, between Guadalupe and the turnoff to Moravia, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2233-9960
Kiosco San José
Address: Calle 7, Avenida 11 in Barrio Amón, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: noon-6 p.m.; Monday: noon-6 p.m.
Tienda EÑe
Address: Entre Avenida 7 y Calle 11A, San José, Calle 11A, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Cecilia Sofía Altamirano Jiménez, Casa 927
Address: corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3, San José, Costa Rica
Website: www.calzadoaltamirano.com
6. Wood Art

Galeria Zukia showcases wood sculpture from renowned Costa Rican artists such as Alexy Palenzuela Ramos (www.alexypalenzuela.com) and Manuel Vargas. Galeria Zukia is open from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (506-8302-7299 or 506-8851-9682). Prices run in the low thousands depending on the artist and the type of wood used. Amir Gallery, across the street, also displays wood sculpture. Souvenir La Casona sells bowls, sculpture and all kinds of household wood products. It is located on Calle 0, just 1/2 block from Avenida Central heading north. Store hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Address: 33 Calle 110/Calle El Pedrero, Escazú, 10201, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. during high-season between December to April
Phone: 506-2289-4337
Website: www.biesanz.com
Galeria Zukia
Address: Calle 5, San José Province, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Phone: 506-8302-7299; 506-8851-9682
Souvenir La Casona
Address: Calle 0, just 1/2 block from Avenida Central heading north, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
7. Fine Art

The National Gallery in the Museo de los Niños (Children’s Museum) is the largest exhibition space dedicated to the visual arts in Costa Rica. The National Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Jacob Karpio Gallery highlights talent from Costa Rica and Latin America. The gallery is located in one of the capital’s old homes on Avenida 1, between Calle 11 and 15, on the south side of the Registro Civil. DesPacio is just a few block away on Calle 15, between Avenidas 7 and 9, 100 meters east of the Casa Amarilla in Barrio Otoya. Visits are by appointment (des@pacio.org or 506-8849-5120). Alianza Francesa (506-2222-2283) on Avenida 7, between Calles 5 and 7, dedicates a couple of rooms to young artists.
The relatively new Casa 927, on the corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3, houses numerous artists who manage their own commercial space. Together with Casa 927’s restaurant and live music performances, it is quickly becoming one of San Jose’s most vibrant cultural centers (www.casa927.shutterfly.com or 506-2221-2302). Galería Alternativa features emerging contemporary artists from Costa Rica (www.galeriaalternativacr.com and 506-2232-8500.) The gallery is located about twenty minutes outside of downtown San José in the Condominio Industrial, local 21, in Pavas. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon (Ring the doorbell.) To find out about temporary exhibitions, pick up a copy of GAM Cultural, available in PDF at www.issuu.com/gamcultural. The main post office in downtown San José is just one alternative space that displays fine artwork for sale.
Address: Avenida 9, Calle 4, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jacob Karpio Gallery
Address: Avenida 1, between Calle 11 and 15, on the south side of the Registro Civil, San José, Costa Rica
DesPacio
Address: Calle 15, between Avenidas 7 and 9, San José, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-8849-5120
Website: des@pacio.org
Alianza Francesa
Address: Avenida 7, between Calles 5 and 7, San José, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-2222-2283
Casa 927
Address: corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3
Operation Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2221-2302
Website: www.casa927.shutterfly.com
Galería Alternativa
Address: Condominio Industrial, local 21, in Pavas
Operation Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m.-noon
Phone: 506-2232-8500
Website: www.galeriaalternativacr.com
8. Natural Beauty Products

For a wide selection, visit Bio Salud in the Plaza del Sol (a small indoor mall) in Curridibat, San José (506-2280-9786) or Bio Salud in the Multiplaza Escazú in Escazú, San José. Multiplaza Escazú is a huge and brightly lit indoor mall with hundreds of stores. Shoppers will find there everything, from high-end boutiques, such as Carolina Herrera, to an Apple store to kiosks selling incense from around the world (http://www.multiplaza.com/visitusC1.html). Magga Natural’s cosmetic and therapeutic line includes soothing massage oils and pain-relieving creams. Magga Natural sells their products at Casa 927 on the corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3 (www.casa927.shutterfly.com or 506-2221-2302). Aromas para el Alma has a delightful little boutique in Escazú (www.aromas.co.cr or 506-2289-3229) in a four-store shopping center called Mall Buena Tierra, or Good Earth Mall. Aroma para el Alma’s comprehensive and exquisite organic product line also offers shampoos and lotions for children. The shops and café/restaurant in Mall Buena Tierra sell Aromaflor products.
Address: San José Province, Curridabat, 11801, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-2280-9786
Bio Salud, Multiplaza Escazú
Address: Escazú, San José, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.multiplaza.com/visitusC1.html
Casa 927
Address: corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2221-2302
Website: www.casa927.shutterfly.com
Aromas para el Alma, Mall Buena Tierra
Address: Calle 134, San José, Escazú, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-2289-3229
Website: www.aromas.co.cr
9. Coffee

Auto Mercado supermarkets, throughout the capital, have a well-stocked coffee aisle displaying the popular 1820 and Café Britt brands among others. There is an Auto Mercado in the Plaza del Sol in Curridibat, in the Multiplaza Escazú and in downtown San José on the corner of Avenida 3 and calle 3. Coffee is also readily available along Avenida Central, the capital’s main pedestrian walkway and the country’s busiest outdoor shopping mall. The 1820 café in the Plaza de la Cultura (which lines Avenida Central) sells coffee, t-shirts and travel mugs. You can buy Café Britt in the gift shop inside the Universal department store on Avenida Central. If you want to select fresh-roasted beans from a bin, try El Tostador, located on Avenida Central and Calle 10 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.), and also on Avenida 4 behind the Merced Church (6 a.m. to 7 pm.). Café Central, inside San Jose’s bustling Mercado Central (Central Market), also weighs out beans that are roasted on site (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Address: San José Province, Curridabat, 11801, Costa Rica
Auto Mercado, Multiplaza Escazú
Address: Escazú, San José, Costa Rica
Auto Mercado, downtown San José
Address: corner of Avenida 3 and calle 3, San José, Costa Rica
The 1820 café, Plaza de la Cultura
Address: Avenida. Central, San José, Costa Rica
Universal department store
Address: Avenida Central, San José Province, San José, Costa Rica
El Tostador
Address: Avenida Central and Calle 10, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
El Tostador
Address: Avenida 4 behind the Merced Church, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 6 a.m.-7 pm.
Café Central
Address: Mercado Central, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
10. Locally-Designed Clothing

Arteria boutique sells tank tops, t-shirts and dresses made with high-quality cotton decorated with costaricanismos. Arteria is located next door to the Jacob Karpio Gallery on Avenida 1, between Calle 11 and 15, on the south side of the Registro Civil. T-shirts cost between $10 and $20. Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (506-2257-1446). Several boutiques selling locally-designed clothing are within walking distance of Arteria. A number of artists at the nearby Casa 927 are clothing designers. Kiosco SJO carries a handbag line from Pez, as well as their collection of hip t-shirts and casual wear, also made with recycled fabric from curtain manufacturers. Tienda EÑe has two small rooms filled with unique outfits by local clothing designers. Atelier Diseño Organico on the west side of town, in the Mall Buena Tierra in Escazú, carries the Nabruk line, perfect for the yoga enthusiast looking for casual and elegant designs that conserve comfort (www.artecassia.com or 506-8883-4344).
Address: Avenida 1, between Calle 11 and 15, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Phone: 506-2257-1446
Casa 927
Address: corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2221-2302
Website: www.casa927.shutterfly.com
Tienda EÑe
Address: Entre Avenida 7 y Calle 11A, San José, Calle 11A, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Atelier Diseño Organico
Address: Mall Buena Tierra, San José Province, Escazu, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-8883-4344
Website: www.artecassia.com
11. Indigenous Art

Another excellent place to look for artwork from local and indigenous artists is Namu Gallery (www.galerianamu.com or 506-2256-3412). Namu Gallery is a staunch advocate of fair trade practices and has been selling and educating the public about indigenous art in Costa Rica and Central America for over a decade. Prices range from $10 to the thousands. Namu Gallery is located just around the corner from the INS building, home of the Jade Museum, on Avenida 7, between Calle 5 and 7, and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Sundays, during tourist season, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gift shop in the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum also sells high-quality indigenous arts and crafts (www.museodelbancocentral.org or 506-2243-4214). Gift shop hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The vendors lining Plaza del la Democracia in front of the National Museum sell a wide variety of relatively inexpensive arts and crafts from all over Latin America (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
Address: Calle 1, between Avenida 10 and Avenida 12, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: 506-8930-1371
Website: chietonmoren@gmail.com
Namu Gallery
Address: Avenida 7, between Calle 5 and 7, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sunday (during tourist season): 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: 506-2256-3412
Website: www.galerianamu.com
Gift shop in the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Address: Bajos de la Plaza de la Cultura. Avenida Central. Calle 5 San José Centro San José CR 10104, Av. Central, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2243-4214
Website: www.museodelbancocentral.org
Plaza del la Democracia
Address: Avenida 2, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
12. Books

One of San Jose’s best bookstores for international visitors is 7th Street Books. In addition to literature in English and Spanish, the bookstore also sells music and a variety of small souvenirs. Just off San Jose’s main pedestrian walkway (Avenida Central), you can find 7th Street Books halfway up Calle 7. Store hours are 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. A few steps away along the city’s bustling Avenida Central are Libreria Lehmann, Universal and Libreria Internacional, all of which sell a great variety of books about Costa Rica.
13. Music

Seventh Street Books in downtown San José, just off Avenida Central on Calle 7, offers a small but representative selection of Papaya music. Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (506-2256-8251). Casa 927 also has a small display of Papaya music. A number of stores along Avenida Central, the capital’s main pedestrian walkway and the country’s busiest outdoor shopping mall, sell music. Check the Universal department store and the Libreria Internacional on Avenida Central. On the west side of town in the Multiplaza Escazú, Vertigo has a dedicated section for Costa Rican music, including the Papaya label. There is also a large Libreria Internacional in the Multiplaza Escazú.
Address: Calle 7, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2243-4214
Casa 927
Address: corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2221-2302
Website: www.casa927.shutterfly.com
Vertigo, Multiplaza Escazú
Address: Escazú, San José, Costa Rica
Libreria Internacional, Multiplaza Escazú
Address: Escazú, San José, Costa Rica
14. Lizano Sauce

15. Ceramic Art

The Chorrotega, one of Costa Rica’s eight indigenous groups, have been making ceramic art since the Pre-Columbian era. To learn more about their culture and to purchase their ceramic artwork, visit Chíeton Morén on Calle 1 between Avenida 10 and Avenida 12 (Look for a yellow façade with red triangles). Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (chietonmoren@gmail.com or 506-8930-1371). Vendors lining Plaza del la Democracia, in front of the National Museum, also sell ceramics (from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
Address: Avenida 7, between Calle 5 and 7, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sunday (during tourist season): 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: 506-2256-3412
Website: www.galerianamu.com
Chíeton Morén
Address: Calle 1, between Avenida 10 and Avenida 12, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: 506-8930-1371
Website: chietonmoren@gmail.com
Plaza del la Democracia
Address: Avenida 2, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
16. Textiles

For shops selling only the highest-quality textiles, visit Namu Gallery and the gift shop in the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Namu Gallery is located on Avenida 7, between Calle 5 and 7. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. During a tourist season, Namu Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays (www.galerianamu.com or 506-2256-3412). The gift shop in the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (www.museodelbancocentral.org or 506-2243-4214). Innovations in textile art are also sprouting from the country’s emerging fine arts scene. One of the best places in the capital to discover the latest in textile design is Casa 927 on Avenida 11 and Calle 3 (www.casa927.shutterfly.com or 506-2221-2302).
Address: Calle 1, between Avenida 10 and Avenida 12, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: 506-8930-1371
Website: chietonmoren@gmail.com
Namu Gallery
Address: Avenida 7, between Calle 5 and 7, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sunday (during tourist season): 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Phone: 506-2256-3412
Website: www.galerianamu.com
Gift shop in the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Address: Bajos de la Plaza de la Cultura. Avenida Central. Calle 5 San José Centro San José CR 10104, Av. Central, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2243-4214
Website: www.museodelbancocentral.org
Casa 927
Address: corner of Avenida 11 and Calle 3, San José, Costa Rica
Operation Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phone: 506-2221-2302
Website: www.casa927.shutterfly.com
17. Umbrellas

While many stores and supermarkets throughout Costa Rica sell the Rego brand, it’s fun to make a purchase from the tiny shop on the corner of Avenida 2 and Calle 1o, which tends to customers over the counter. Rego offers a similar, intimate and customer-oriented environment in a slightly larger shop just up the street on Avenida 4, one of the capital’s pedestrian walkways (www.regocr.com or 506-2222-2163). Store hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays.
Address: corner of Avenida 2 and Calle 1o
Address: Avenida 4
Operation Hours: Monday-Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Phone: 506-2222-2163
Website: www.regocr.com
Other Interesting Souvenirs from Costa Rica
If traveling to Costa Rica is not on your immediate agenda, or you simply can't afford an extra space in your luggage, fortunately, these days, you can find a wide selection of authentic and truly interesting Costa Rican souvenirs online. Presented here are some of the Costa Rican products sought by foreign visitors, now available online for your convenience.
2. Costa Rican Chocolates - Tapita, Guayabita, and Milan are the chocolates produced by Gallito, a confectionery factory in Costa Rica. Each of these chocolate snacks is distinguished by their unique flavor. Some say, Tapitas and Guayabitas are a bit too expensive, but still really good!
4. Chorreador -Costa Rican coffee is best brewed the traditional way, i.e. by using a simple, handmade coffee maker, which is light, compact, easy to handle, and requires no electricity. It can make you up to 10 cups of coffee in one go.
4. Costa Rica Soccer Team Jersey - Costa Rica national soccer team has gained popularity at home after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, which saw the country compete at such high level for the fifth time. This is commemorated inside the neck of the shirt with “1990 – 2002 – 2006 – 2014 – 2018” printed acknowledgment for each year the country qualified. The jersey is made using innovative NB DRY technology.
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