Book shopping in Central America
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A
Jaime Peligro
A local spot for new and used foreign-language books and the best Central American CDs and DVDs.
reviewed
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B
Goodlight Books
Book-a-holics rejoice! You’ll find one of the best English-language bookstores in the country right in Alajuela. Goodlight Books, managed by longtime expat Larry Coulter, offers a mind-boggling selection of tomes: 9000 well-organized books (both used and new) that cover everything from literature to history to sci-fi. He also keeps a worthwhile stock of difficult-to-find books on Costa Rica and the region, and there is a small array of volumes in Dutch and German. You will also find maps, guidebooks and a tiny cafe serving very tasty iced coffee.
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C
Casa de los Tres Mundos
This is Ernesto Cardenal's home turf, selling not only his sleek, modernistic sculptures but also a great selection of top-quality naïve paintings from the Archipélago de Solentiname, books and DVDs (most in Spanish, all leftist).
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Casa de los Tres Mundos
The foundation here sells a very good lefty selection of books, magazines and other souvenirs, including Wani magazine, 'the voice of the Caribbean Coast', and Gente de los Gallos, your cockfighting resource.
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D
Books2Go
Susan runs a quaint little bookstore that also serves as the travelers’ meeting place. You can post messages, store your bags, burn photos to CDs, use the internet (₡1000per hour), or just hang out and read a good book.
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Nica Chic
Cool clothes, handmade furniture and an oddball selection of affordable art make this worth a stop - there's also a book exchange with titles in English and German.
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E
North & South
A wide range of books focusing on Latin America, politics, poetry and history. Also plenty of new and used guidebooks and Spanish student resources.
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Librería Hispamer
Hispamer has the country's best selection of Nicaraguan and Latin American literature, history and poetry, plus local news and arts periodicals.
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La Ceiba Libros
You'll find a good selection of Spanish-language books here, especially if you're interested in Salvadoran history and literature.
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Barefoot Charlie's
A big collection of beach trash, but not much else; offers two-for-the-price-of-one or buy one, get the second one at half-price.
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Librería Casa del Conde
This store has new books on Guatemala and the Maya in several languages; carries International Travel Maps and some used books.
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I
Rainbow Reading Room
Thousands of used books in English and Spanish for sale, rent or trade. Also has one of the best notice boards in town.
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J
Book Center
New and secondhand English literature, maps, guidebooks and books on Belizean history, society and natural history.
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Libraría Don Quijote
Load up on lefty texts or dog-eared paperbacks (some in English, German and French) at this quaint used bookstore.
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La Colonia
This upscale grocery chain has a big selection of books and magazines; the Plaza España outlet is great.
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Vrisa Bookstore
Excellent range of secondhand books in English and European languages. One of the best notice boards in town.
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La Maya Hatcha
A decent option if you're hankering for a thick English-language novel - classic or trashy - for the road.
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Dyslexia Books
Secondhand and new books, mainly in English. Some politics and a good selection on indigenous culture.
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El Gato Negro Coffee & Book Exchange
New and some used books in English and other languages; also check Ricardo's Bar and Big Wave Dave's.
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O
Bookmarks
This bookstore has a fantastic selection, though it's somewhat smaller than La Casita's.
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Metromedia
Sells an excellent and wide selection of English- language books and periodicals.
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La Casa de Todo
As the name suggests, the House of Everything has just about…well, everything.
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Centro Nacional de Registros
One of the best places to find city maps is the Centro Nacional de Registros.
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Hamlin y White
New and used books in several languages, including many Lonely Planet titles.
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T
Librería Argosy
A bookstore and cultural institution owned by a cheerful Greek immigrant.
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