Shopping in San Jose

Local Goods

Shopping in San Jose is not as exciting as it is in other South American medical tourism destinations simply because there isn’t a very rich tradition of artifacts and art here.  Most of the trinkets that you’ll see in stalls are imported from outside the country (particularly Guatemala, Peru, and Panama).  However, there are certain pockets of the country that produce a few fine specimens of craftsmanship. The Guanacaste Province, for instance, has colonies of artisans that produce beautiful pre-Columbian-style pottery. You'll find these in galleries in San Jose.  The city also has a strong tradition of leather working.  The Moravia suburb is dotted with leather shops offering footwear, jackets, wallets, and bags.

Costa Rica’s primary export is coffee, so make sure you take the time to sample some of the local flavors on your medical tourism visit.  San Jose’s coffee liqueur is a staple in every shopping bag. Also, look for coffee-related artwork.  Sometimes tacky, sometimes beautiful, these pieces always make for interesting conversation starters. 

Markets

Every weekend around 6pm, the barrios of San José fill up with stalls hawking produce from the countryside.  There are exotic tropical fruits and vegetables, including types of mangoes you never even knew existed.  You can also find various types of honey, cheeses, spices, and herbs.  It’s a great place to take in the local flavor as the natives head to the markets for all their shopping.  Plus, you get a chance to haggle in Spanish, which is always memorable. 

The daily street market near the Plaza de Democracias has rows upon rows of goods from Guatemala and Peru, musical instruments made of ceramics, and handicrafts.  Remember that bargaining isn’t really part of the shopping culture here like in so many another medical tourism destinations.  However, it never hurts to try.