www.CostaRicaTicas.com

It seems like every place I go has that one thing that you just have to buy when you're there (besides tight little asses). In Thailand there are a ton of them, but Clothes top the list.

So what do you buy in Costa Rica? I just realized that I don't know of anything, or where to buy it?

Are there good tailors in CR?

I guess coffee is the only thing I know of.

It's kinda hard to bring back the Rainforest in my carry-on.

SafaDino suggested something (or some place) called Moravia in a 2003 post, what's that?

Moravia is a little area north east of San Jose. There are numerous souvenir shops located there.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
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Alex Levine

I always bring back coffee from the local place in the Central Market. It's a bit of a pain to find but it's worth it if you want to brave the market.

Best way I can describe to get there is walk in from Avenida Central then walk straight back and make until you hit the wall and make a right. Keep walking till you seen another exit and the little stand is on the right. Believe it is called Cafe Moka Coffee. Been buying it there since my first trip. It's where the locals buy it so it's good stuff.

I always buy the Organic Shade Grown Safe for Export stuff. Costs 4500 colones for a kilo but damn it is good coffee.

Hope that helps.

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Good posts. On the other side of the central market, sidewalk entrance only, orange sign over the door, I think maybe Eight Street, is "Cafe Trebol."

You can compare, but I think they are cheaper than 4500. Roast the fresh beans right there for you. Make sure you tell them American blend, otherwise they grind it thicker, the norm for them because of they way they brew it in CR. I always get the dark roast.

I will go there the day before I leave and put my order in, and come back the day I leave and get it. The coffee smell, though nice, is a little too strong for your hotel room after a while if you buy alot of it.

They have three different size bags, wax papered on the inside. I bring back as much as I can fit. You can freeze it, or give it away as gifts. To wear down there, I bring down clothes I don't want and then give them away, and that way I have a lot of room in my bags.

I remember one time I came back via Mexico City, and they stopped me at the x-ray machine, those bags looked hot to them I guess, and asked me to open my bag. They laughed.

It's hard to drink the stuff we're used to up here after you have that for a while.

You'll love the central market anyway. The sights and smells are incredible

There are a lot of talented crafts and trades people in Costa Rica; tailors, shoe repair....and even umbrella repair. I always take my shoes to be repaired and new clothing for alterations. I get the work done for a fraction of what it costs in the U.S.... And don't forget the dental work in Costa Rica....about one third or one fourth what it costs in the U.S.

Never knew there was such a thing as an umbrella repair shop, but there is in San Jose. Before I knew that an umbrella could be bought for next to nothing in CR....I brought along a nice, fold-up job from the U.S. One day the wind caught ahold of it and did a number on it. Someone suggested I take it to the umbrella repair shop. I went there, handed it to the lady, and before I could tell her what was wrong with it, she started overhauling it. In less than 5 minutes it was like new....for about 50 cents.

Zebra

Good call Spanky. On my last visit to El Mercado for cafe, I noticed some very nice leather just around the corner from the aforementioned cafe vendor. Nice travel bags with dbl stitching and good hardware. Prices ranged $60-$125 depending on size.

The market is a great place if you can stand it. The smell can be a little rough and it is where the Ticos shop. It can be a bit intimidating because often it seems you are the only Gringo in the place. You may get a weird look but no one really bothers you.

If you want t-shirts with all the standard CR sayings there are a lot of shops there that sell them. For the same shirt you buy at the airport for $15-20 you can pickup for $10.

Speaking some Spanish helps but if you can usually get what you need even if you don't.

Cheers!

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I doubt the smell of any of these places is worse than back-alley Thailand. So I'll probably be fine. Safety is a concern, so try not to recommend dangerous places. That's one thing you never had to worry about in Thailand. I don't wanna get mugged by ten trannies in Morazon.

How do these coffee places compare to buying coffee on the Britt tour? I will probably do that tour so should I just buy it then and have it shipped?


Keep em coming. Any more ideas?

I'll tell you about Thailand a few days. For comparisons.

Just go to the Central Market. It's worth the trip and pretty much anything you want can be had there. It's a true market in that everything and anything is for sale. Hell, there is a pet shop stall place in one of the isles. It's great to explore.

I picked up a real nice silver necklace and earrings for a favorita there for like $15. I have also seen an upscale jewelry stall there where prices were $400 and up for some things. I'm not a jewelry guy so I have no idea if the prices for the items were good or not.

Walk down Avenida Central and stop in the shops on the way to the market. Most are American style shops but it's fun to stop in. One point to remember, is that if you stop into a shop, someone is going to ask to help you. Its there job to show you stuff. Just go with it and it's cool. I was in one shop and the lady was helping me. She was a cute Tica, about 7 or 8 months pregnant. I picked out like 4 shirts. Turns out my size was upstairs in the storage area. I felt horrible for making this woman climb the steps up there. She was thrilled to do it because I was like her best customer of the day. I guess they got a commission if they sell stuff as well.

Not sure if you been to CR before but figure one size smaller than in the states. So if you wear a large in the states go for a XL.

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I had two pair of custom boots made last trip. $70 total for both pair. You do need to have about 10 days in order to get you boots built. They said they would be ready in a week but I had to come back several days later, A great value, in my opinion.

I also purchased some gorgeous hardwood bowels and boxes at reasonable prices. The hardwood place mats are great and you can get them at a fraction of the asking price if you shop around. The smaller market east of Mas Menos , east of Presidente, is cheaper than anywhere else I have seen.

Coffee is great and I have purchased several of the "Rolex" watches with varying results, as is to be expected when you buy knock-offs. The ones with the transparent back seem to be the best. I am wearing a Dayjust now that has kept perfect time for a year, looks just like its $3000 counterpart, and cost $35.

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I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

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Tried last trip and got gringoized, Might have to make a run with you this trip....

I too always load up on coffee..but this most recent trip I bought some fantastic pieces of art. Original oils on canvas ..wildlife..toucnas..monkeys and panthers...they were asking $500 to $900 and I got them down 60%. They're museum quality framed in my house now and look incredible.

I'll be looking for the hardwood place mats when I'm there in 3 weeks. Could you be a little bit more specific as to where to purchase the place mats? Also. where is the best location to pick up a "Rolex" watch?

Thanks.

Where do you go for the boots?

Boots: There are a number of boot shops in one small district. I hired Memo, one of the taxi guys who hangs in front of Presiente, to drive me. He charged around $10 an hour, speals good English and has a meticulously maintained taxi. One of the good guys, recommened to me by Senior Stan.

Memo: 824-1066

For the place mats, walk east from Presidente a few blocks. There is a mercado just east and across the street from Mas Menos. Work a deal there. I got 6 for under $80 as I recall.

_________________
"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