www.CostaRicaTicas.com

A couple of PMs have asked me about souvenir shopping. If you walk 3 blocks EAST on Ave Central (from where it becomes a walking street) there is a souvenir shop at the base of the Museo Nacional on Calle 17. It looks just like a small road-side shop, but in reality it is about 60 small shops under roof that runs the entire length (North to South) between Avenida Central and Avenida 2.

Everything is negotiable, and many have the same items (similar to a flea market), so making deals is very easy. A hagglers paradise.

I found beach towels in the design of the local currency, and picked up 3 designs (2,5,10 mil) for half the cost of a typical souvenir shop.

What other decent places have you guys found for souvenir shopping? Specialty items, or just plain old junk. We really should include these on the map.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Great post BD...that is where I always recommend people go for souvenirs. I know of no better place in the entire country.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Is this known as La Casona?...Because there was a mention back in February that it was increasingly deserted and maybe closing down? Not trying to start a fuss...and I'd love to be mistaken: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=46948&p=537139 << See Bro BlueDevil's post.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

By BlueDevil's directions (Calle Central (between Ave Central and 1)), it is a different place. Place BD is talking about is one block south and 3 east of Del Rey, almost right across the street from the large Mas X Menos. I was by there a month or two ago and seemed just as busy as always.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

and almost directly across from an excellent Chinese restaurant named Wong's

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

If you want to add some adventure to the shopping experience try the Coca Cola bus terminal.

sin emoticons I cannot tell if it's just a joke or if there really is shopping in the Coca Cola bus terminal.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

There ARE just a few small shops facing the diagonal parking slots for the busses "inside of" the Coca Cola Terminal.

BUT, there are many more in the immediate area of the that terminal that can be good to explore and spend.

To find the souvenir shops that Bash writes about, look for the new MUSEO DE JADE (Jade Museum). It is a newly constructed multi-story building, on Avenida Central at the corner of Calle 13, that houses the Jade Museum and INS offices.

The series of little stalls selling souvenirs almost connects with the east wall of the new Jade Museum. They are open 7 days a week. The vendors will be very grateful for your support.

Is the area safe(ish) to wander about during the day looking for shops? I've yet to make it over there (never had a reason) but would like to check it out in May (unless it is ill-advised).

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

That is the same general area as Calle 6 MPs so you are familiar with the security situation in that area

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

There is no coca cola bus terminal. It is a general area where there are lots of small bus terminals spread out in the area. Per Tico style a coca cola plant was there many many years ago. It is in calle blancos now.
LA casona is a big building off ave central where Wendy's used to be, been here too long now I am doing it, it is about empty now.
The area the dwarf describes is the best.
No souvenir shopping. In the coca cola area, just cheap Chinese junk.

PVT, I know you live there and are much more familiar with San Jose than I am, but the bus terminal is on Calle 16 between Avenidas 1 and 3. That is like saying Zona2 is in the same general area as the Calle 6 MP's. Maybe the security situation around the bus terminal and around the Calle 6 MP's is the same, I don't know.

Been to the coca cola terminal area a few times. During the daytime it's a very busy area with many locals doing their shopping. Not really an area to buy souvenirs.

I didn't encounter crackheads like you do on calle 6. Go during the daytime and be aware of your surroundings.

This may be a whole different thing but if big or artisan crafts qualify as souvenirs, look into a day trip to Sarchi. Hire Bro PVT for the day and go have a ball.: http://costarica.com/sarchi/ Just another of my odd-ball thoughts...

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED