Traveler's Shopping Guide to San Jose, Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica

Not to be confused with San Jose, sunny California, San Jose, Costa Rica is the capital city of a wet (250 centimeters of rainfall per year) and colorful Latin American country, renowned for its diverse craftsmanship (courtesy of the numerous indigenous tribes), splendid coffee and rich cultural and wildlife scene. To memorize your trip to Costa Rica, you will definitely want to pick up something representative of the country. Fortunately, there's no shortage of such things in San Jose, and at affordable prices. Explore this guide and see for yourself!

Forming part of Costa Rica’s dynamic arts scene are jewelry designers working in gold, silver, glass, semi-precious stones, clay and recyclable materials. Boutique shops throughout San José sell a variety of unique designs. Prices range from $10 to the hundreds. The gift shop in the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum sells Pre-Columbian replicas and modern designs in gold (14K solid and 24K plated) and silver (950). The jewelry is designed and made by artists producing pieces exclusively for the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum (www.museodelbancocentral.org or 506-2243-4214). Gift shop hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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). ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).