The best fashion and gift stores Costa Rica

Timetable

Opening hours in Costa Rica are pretty much the same as in Europe, with one small difference: shops open earlier and generally close earlier than in France. Stores generally open from 8am to midday and from 2pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings. In major cities, shops are open continuously from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Some supermarkets and malls in San José are open daily from 9am-10am to 7pm-8pm. On tourist sites, shops sometimes stay open later in the evening, as well as on Sundays and public holidays.

Budget & Tips

Here are some examples of prices for local handicrafts in Costa Rica: carved wooden masks from US$15 to US$50, depending on the size and complexity of the design; hand-woven bags and baskets made from natural materials from US$10 to US$30.

As for food products, a 250g pack of premium coffee costs between US$5 and US$15, while a 70g bar of handmade dark chocolate costs around US$6.

What's very local

The Costa Rican government has set up a new program called " Sello Costa Rica Artesanal " to develop the craft market and strengthen Costa Rican identity. This program guarantees customers the authenticity of a product that has been genuinely crafted using traditional know-how. Among other things, it promotes the use of quality raw materials, ethical production methods and good environmental practices. This program helps to combat imported and industrialized products. Costa Rica offers a wide range of products. For lovers of handicrafts, head for Sarchí, close to the Poás volcano. This small village is renowned throughout the country as the cradle of ox-cart handicrafts decorated with geometric, floral and kaleidoscopic motifs. Numerous stores in the village sell carved furniture, trays, bowls and various utensils carved, colored and beautifully decorated.

Tourist traps

Handicrafts are one of the most important activities for Costa Rica's indigenous communities. The country has succeeded in valorizing the "know-how" of its population, but many products continue to be manufactured abroad, in China in particular, which makes them less attractive. To find authentic creations, it's best to go directly to the producer, in villages or markets, to avoid "tourist traps" whose authenticity is not 100% guaranteed.