www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I would like to know where is the central market located what avenida and calle intersection it is close to and what they are selling there.
How big is that place and many vendors it has ?

The mercado central covers one square block. It's boundaries are Avenida Central & One and Calle 6 & 8. It has almost everything you would ever need for sale there and has easily a hundred or more vendors.

A great place to visit and should not be missed. A word of caution there are many pick pockets there so be very careful where you keep your money and wallet and do not flash a lot of cash.

Enjoy.

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

Alternate directions:

step out of the main entrance of the hotel president. Make a left turn. Look down you will see bricks. Keep that in mind very important. Keep going ( can't tell you how many blocks but a good number ). Keep looking down at the bricks once you no longer see bricks but pavement and you're not standing in an intersection look to your right and you will see the entrance. Try the roasted peanuts they're really good.

Lee

_________________
PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

Only problem with that is they are extending the pedestrian walkway 4 blocks from calle 6, the old ending, to calle 14. If you want to count blocks it is 8 blocks from the front door of the Presidente.

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

You can always count on this man for the most up-to-date information. Now if we could just make him a little less cranky.

Lee

_________________
PS: DO NOT SEND MONEY!

try walking around early in the morning, like around 7 am, the farmers and vendors will still be unloading their vehicles, piles of produce and hustle and bustle.

it will past the bedtime of the nightime criminal crowd, with only a few dazed drug adicts sleeping/sitting on the curbs.

try a breakfast with the farmer/market worker crowd at one of the small sidewalk cafes.

you might even have a chance to buy a coffee or bite to eat for a little darling on her way to work at one of the nearby Tico MP's, they usually open at 8 am.

after a nice early walkabout and brealfast, buy a copy of the local paper, La Nacion, a bag of whatever fruit is on sale and visit some of the local Tico MP's.

if one of the little darlings wants to look at the paper, let her and also hand out the fruit, tangerines, oranges, ect...you'll be a popular guy and get first rate service for your troubles.

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

I love that place. Great place to buy coffee to bring back to the states--Cafe Trebol entrance on the far side (if coming from the DR) roasts it fresh all day--ask for American blend which means ground for our coffee makers which they gnerally don'dt use down there and use a thicker grind.

I love it too. I walked a couple blocks out away from it one time and really enjoyed seeing the real CR. The sidewalks were unpaved and many smallish stores selling various items. And now that I know where some more MPs are even more incentive to go exploring.

I even had a Tica amiga warn me about the Mercado Central... "Muy peligroso!"... like I might be robbed there!

That's B.S.! My first time there on my rookie trip the place was full of gringos! I've found all of the vendoristas to be helpful & friendly. Many speak very good English but I always try out my Espan-lish first.

The place has lots of narrow disorientating aisles which may put off some people but that is typical of markets. I usually go at lunch time or later. I would imagine that the place may be busier during the morning while the Ticos are shopping for the freshest foods.

By all means, GO! But keep your hand on your wallet.

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