www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I was planning on getting another pair or two of eye glasses as I have a habit of ruining my lenses (although I have had the same frames for ~4 years). I heard glasses were cheaper in CR. I was informed that electronics were more expensive in CR.

What have you bought for a better price in CR (besides the obvious)?

Dentalwork - seriously - waaaay less expensive vs the USA - especially for implants. Had a very good experience, too.

You will find overall - and I don't wear glasses, however I have read posts that the cost is reasonable in CR (search can probably assist you) - CR is most certainly NOT in any way a shoppers paradise - they don't have a history and/or tradition of crafts like some other Central American countries like Honduras, or N. American countries like Mexico.

Some of the wood pieces like bowls and serving/carving pieces are pretty; went to Grecia once (its the crafts center of Costa Rica....so called) and lets just say I was not wowed; plus the person quoted an outrageous shipping cost to get it back to the USA, as well as being completely clueless about the process - this was in 2004, so things may have changed, but being CR, I doubt it.

If you are a coffee drinker, go to the Central Market and you can bring back bags for a reasonable price; I buy from Cafe Volio, but there are others you can purchase from too - cheaper there vs the airport!

You want dried, stuffed frogs, or so so cigars - you are in the right place - handicrafts, upscale clothes, watches, jewelry, electronics, and on and on - not so much

Coffee is always appreciated as a souvenir by my friends for sure. I get really good organic beans @ C8900 for a kilo in Mercado Central. I buy some for myself and as souvenir. There are some street vendors that sell wooden jewelry for C1000 - c2000 or so, that makes pretty good gifts too especially for people who likes them over metal (gold, silver, etc). I've bought a few things from a street vendor near Mall San Pedro. Although nothing really screams out "Costa Rica", there are some decent crafts that people like. Most of the things in malls are expensive, but there are some cheap stuff also.

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Yo-Eleven!!
Pura Vida!

I stepped on my glasses about 2 months ago and had to get another pair. I took my prescription and my old set of glasses down to Opticas Popular in Guadalupe after they were recommended to me. They fabricate in the Guadalupe store.

A cute pleasant girl asked me to pick out a set of frames. I had the slim glasses before for I asked for a rounded set to try on. I put them on and looked in the mirror and something was not right. I hear the girl laughing. I look up and she points at me and says "Harry Potter!!". I quickly decided to try another set of frames.

$140 with transition lenses and they will be complete in two working days. Great! Done! Here is my credit card!

I come back in three days to pick them up. They were not ready so I had to wait around for an hour.

An hour later I try them on and my head hurts. They make me dizzy. I tell the girl they are the wrong prescription. No she says they are just right try them on again. I try them on again and I get dizzy and my head hurts. No, they are the wrong prescription. It took another hour of them telling me they were just perfect and there was nothing wrong with them before they finally agree to take the glasses back and fix the lenses and come back in two more days. I wear the glasses now not sure if the prescription is right because things can still look fuzzy, but at least my head does not hurt when I put them on.

Moral of the story - Pay with a credit card. If I paid with cash they would never have fixed the lenses.

I don't recommend to anyone to have new glasses made in CR.
I speak the language and in every store I've visited I have found that there are two price tiers. One for the tourist and one for the locals, which anyway is something that is found all around San José.

The only low cost service that I have found indeed in CR has been the excellent and prompt dental work one can get there.
Especially at 90210. Not only are they very good but they will pick you up from your hotel and deliver you back when you are done.

Coffee is also a great buy, and yes!, get it from the mercado since it will cost less than the coffee at the airport, which is still a pretty decent buy compared with the prices and quality one can find in the US.

If you want a really decent deal on eyeglasses, go to "zennioptical.com" and you will not believe the varied selection nor the prices they offer. Although the glasses are made in China, they are well made and they come with an excellent warranty. I got a pair of very light weight no-line bifocals for about $74.00 total. It takes about a week to get them.
The best deal I've found. Especially if you want to get a set of spare glasses. You can also order separate frames for about 10-15 bucks. And, filling out the prescription is very easy provided you have the last script from your eye doctor.

Good luck.

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Respectfully,

Muff

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To me the moral of the story should be do not go to Opticas Popular in Guadalupe. Any optical store that try to tell you everything is fine with glasses that make your head hurt and makes you dizzy is a rip off.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I have had 3 sets of glasses made at Opticas Vision. One when I was a tourist and 2 since I have lived here. I got the low price all 3 times. The thing is you have to ask them for the special, they will not tell you about it, and then you have to resist the up sell to other lenses and fancier frames.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Good data ID.
I guess there are bargains if one takes the time to find them. Next time I'll try to get the 'special' and see how much they want.
Thanks

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Respectfully,

Muff

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Mangoes are a good buy right now at three large for a dollar. Potatoes are down from their winter high, too. It will still be a month or more before the moman chinos are ready. Melons are still good.

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"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Pineapples are 3 for ¢1,000. I wish I could bring a few back so my family can taste what a fresh pineapple tastes like.

Just buy a few cans of Dole Pineapples. The majority of their products are grown and canned in CR.

Seriously though, I do agree 100%. Their pineapples are much better than anywhere else I've tasted them; includingi Hawaii and for that matter even my little homeland island, Puerto Rico. I remember as a K*D, we could freely pick and eat them as we drove by in the countryside.

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Respectfully,

Muff

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Aaaaahhhh Mangoes...... The tropical peach!
It's one of the most wonderful aphrodisiacs.

_________________
Respectfully,

Muff

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There is not too much that is a bargain in CR.

Get a hair cut, $4-$5.

See a movie, ~ $4-$10. Depends on movie, 3D, etc.

Penguinos. Like Hostess cup cakes except made in Guatamala, cost c350 or less. Can't find Hostess cupcakes for less than $1 in the US.

Cellphone service. ICE prepago is dirt cheap. You can keep your line active from month to month for ~ 10cents. Try finding service in the US for $1.20/year!

There you go. Not a very long list.

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Women are like beers. I've never had one that I didn't like. Just some that I like more than others! --Western

Coffee, Cafe Trebol, street side entrance West side Central Market, they'll roast it while you wait, and grind it, but tell them American grind. Best in the world. 22 kilos will work in an empty hard luggage re: airline weight, duty free, they'll bag in 1, 2, or 3 kilos.

pu*sy,taxi's.public bus's,dental/medical.....

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Jaco is called little USA by all ticos