What are the best things to buy in Costa Rica?

Question

I am going to Costa Rica later this week. What things are good to buy there? I know coffee, but what else? What is cheap compared to the US? Are there any cool cultural things I should keep an eye out for?

Answer 1

Salsa Lizano! Once you've tasted the national dish 'gallo pinto' you won't be able to live wihout it!

Answer 2

I have found no one thing that I thought was the best to buy in CR.  It's strange how you think some items will be much cheaper than the USA but turns out, their not.  Look at the cosmetics and perfume prices while you're there for instance.

Can't go wrong with Coffee and the duty free liquor at the airport-wait to get those there so you won't have to carry them all over the place.

There are also great things to eat-my favorites are some of the seafood and the tremendous proliferation of tropical fruits.  try to find a Saturday morning farmers market for great selection and price-so fresh.  Just ask the Ticos what their favorite local dishes are for best advice.  Stay clear of the local liquor called Cacique or something like that.  I know that stuff will strip paint off a battleship.

You will find that many of the craft items are actually from Guatemala or Nicaragua for whatever reason which is not to belittle the craft skills of the Ticos.  They are good also-maybe it's the price point that causes that.  

If you can get into one of the large americanized malls in San Jose  or Escazu, just wander around looking at prices to find the bargains.  If you're a clothes freak, you should find some good bargains.  I suggest you spend your money on something you can't find around home.  Try a white water raft trip and definitely do a zip-line tour.  My heart hasn't beat so wildly since the Cowboys last won the superbowl.  If I knew where you were going, I could be more specific.  see my profile and email me.

Answer 3

Beer! 1 beer: 1$ (supermarkets only)

Guaro Cacique, our national liquor less than $7

Woodcraft: if u have the time go to Sarchi, like 50 kms from San Jose, there are lots and lots of things made out of wood.

A t-shirt with the logo "Costa Rica Pura Vida", u can find'em everywhere in San Jose, we're known for that expression.

In most beaches u can find lots of artisans selling their handmade jewerly, made out of seeds, wood, seashells, etc

Hope u have a nice trip, good luck!!!

Answer 4

In Costa Rica you can buy a lots of souveniers for your home and friends, we have indigenius culture and they sell lots of stuffs that you may be interested in.

Also, you can buy clothes, wich in some places is cheaper than US, Wehave food that you can't buy in US and its delicious, like SALSA LIZANO, besides coffee you can buy a coffee melter, you know, you can prepared your coffee in Costa Ricas way.

(Forgive my english) Good luck!

Answer 5

There are many women who work with wood and different types of tree seeds to make unique and interesting jewelry. Costaricans also work with coconut, coffee paper, banana and tobacco leafs in much of there handcrafts. Something I really love and find beautiful are the jewelry boxes with the Blue Morpho butterfly framed to the cover. You can also buy the frames separately with the Blue Morpho or other types of butterflies.  

Warning : Beware of those who might try to rip you off by charging you much more than they should.

You also asked  " what is cheap compared to the US?" Fruit is! If you don't think you'll get sick try the different types of fruits in the country like Mamon and Guayaba (I'm not sure what is in season right now).You can also try there fabulous natural juices like Mora and Cas.

I hope you enjoy your trip and are able to find unique and interesting things to bring back home.

Pura Vida!!!!

Answer 6

There is beautiful leather goods, hand made.  Like purses, and luggage.  You can find them in the Mercado Central in San Jose.  Also fun styff like handmade wooden toys (hobbie horse etc) and rolling pins.  Carved wooden sculptures also nice,

Enjoy your visit

Answer 7

Keep your eyes open as there is a plethora of things to buy there. You say cheap compared to the US, where in the US ?  East coast hamburger at $18 or one from the Midwest at $5. I have traveled extensively throughout North America and what I found in Costa rica was prices comparative to Nebraska/Kansas/the Dakotas. Of course that was only in the west & north in CR, I avoided San Jose as suggested by my guest family. The potery is quiet beautiful but it's not fired like ours and breaks easily {as we found out} but if you ship it UPS and insure it {as my friends learned} some will arrive intact and you'll make bank on the rest. Good Luck and PURA VIDA !