Sarchí

Introducing Sarchí

There’s just one problem with vacationing in Costa Rica: lousy souvenir shopping. Blame the whole ecotourism thing – it just seems wrong to buy a plastic bauble commemorating your visit to some of the last untouched rain forests in the world. But here it is, the end of your trip, and you’ve got to face jealous friends and family who won’t care that you spotted a rare three-wattled bellbird while trekking through waist-deep mud. Nope, they want presents.

Welcome to Sarchí, Costa Rica’s most famous crafts center, where artists showcase the country’s deeply ingrained woodworking tradition. Unfortunately, a 45-minute stop in town (especially if you’re on a tour bus) is likely to give you the impression that you’ve landed in a tourist trap, albeit one with free coffee. But keep in mind that there are more than 200 workshops scattered around the nearby countryside, and if you exert a little independence it’s often possible to meet different artists, and even custom order your own creation or arrange a lesson or two.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009