Shopping in San José
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Galería Namu
A fair-trade gallery run by Aisling French does a great job of bringing together artwork and crafts from a diverse population of regional ethnicities. Here, you’ll find a lovely array of Boruca masks, finely woven Wounaan baskets, Guaymí dolls, Bribrí canoes, Chorotega ceramics and Huetar carvings, as well as contemporary urban and Afro-Caribbean crafts. They can also help arrange visits to remote indigenous territories in different parts of Costa Rica. See their website for details.
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Biesanz Woodworks
Located in the hills of Bello Horizonte in Escazú, the workshop of Biesanz Woodworks can be difficult to find, but the effort will be well worth it. This shop is one of the finest woodcrafting studios in the nation, run by celebrated artisan Barry Biesanz. His bowls and other decorative containers are exquisite and take their inspiration from pre-Columbian techniques, in which the natural lines and forms of the wood determine the shape and size of the bowl. The pieces are expensive (from US$85 for a palm-size bowl), but they are unique – and so delicately crafted that they wouldn’t be out of place in a museum.
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Kiosco SJO
With a focus on sustainable design by Latin American artisans, this sleek shop stocks art books, original photography, artisanal chocolates, fashion and contemporary home decor by established regional designers. It’s pricey, but rest assured that everything you find here will be of exceptional quality.
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Annemarie's Boutique
This is a recommended souvenir shop and not just the usual hotel gift store. Annemarie's has an extensive selection of items from all over Costa Rica and the public is welcome to come in to the hotel and browse the store. A limited selection of items are available for purchase through its website.
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eÑe
This hip little design shop across from the Casa Amarilla sells all manner of pieces crafted by Costa Rican designers and artists, including a limited selection of clothing, jewelry, silk-screened T-shirts, handbags, picture frames, zines and works of graphic art.
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La Buchaca
La Buchaca is a tiny oasis in El Pueblo that carries well-made jewelry, ceramics and sculptures - all of Costa Rican origin. Of particular interest are the beautifully executed modern paintings featuring Pre-Columbian motifs from around Central America.
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Mercado Central Annex
The Mercado Central Annex is less touristy crowded with butchers, fishmongers and informal counters dishing out typical Costa Rican casados (a set meal of rice, beans and cabbage slaw served with chicken, fish or meat).
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Rincón del Habano
You’ll find a wide selection of cigars in this tiny decade-old shop that sells stogies from all over, including brands from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Cuba.
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Sol Maya
A simple corner shop in La Sabana carries fabric from all over the world, including a decent selection of hand-loomed Guatemalan textiles. Prices are reasonable.
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Mercado Borbón
The Mercado Borbón is more focused on produce – though it sells a bit of everything. (Be aware: the streets get sketchy around the Borbón.)
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Mercado Artesanal
A touristy open-air market that sells everything from handcrafted jewelry and Bob Marley T-shirts to elaborate woodwork and Guatemalan sarongs.
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Librería Lehmann
Good selection of English-language books, guidebooks (including Lonely Planet), as well as topographic and other maps (available upstairs).
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Librería Universal
On the 2nd floor, the shop has a tiny selection of English-language books, as well as a rack devoted to Costa Rican literature.
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7th Street Books
The headquarters of all things English-language also carries maps.
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Farmacia Clínica Católica
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Farmacia Clínica Bíblica
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Mercado Central
The bustling Central Market is the best place in the city for, well, just about anything you’d want. This is the cheapest place to buy a hammock (Hecho en Nicaragua) or a pura vida T-shirt (Made in China), or a vast assortment of forgettable knickknacks. For something decidedly more Costa Rican, export-quality coffee beans can be bought at a fraction of the price you’ll pay in tourist shops.
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La Casona
Welcome to the number-one tourist trap in Chepe! What you give up in authenticity, however, you’ll make up for in convenience. Various stalls spread out over two floors stock T-shirts, banana-leaf paper journals and tree-frog stickers. Shop around as some quality crafts can be found.
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Automercado
A good supermarket with a good selection of cheeses, produce, liquor, coffee and chocolate.
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