Shopping in San Jose: Souvenirs and More

San José affords the greatest variety of souvenirs, jewelry, clothing and other items in the country. The best prices too. And not just the usual souvenirs and T-shirts -- some shops imports things from Indonesia, Thailand and other exotic lands, as well as from Guatemala and different places in Latin America. This review will get you on the fast track to finding the right gift for family, friends, or yourself

Mercado Central

The Mercado Central is a block-sized building packed with booths selling everything from souvenirs to pots and pans. Locals shop here for fish, meat and herbal medicines, so a trip to the Mercado Central is also a way to experience some of the local culture. Many hotel shops and souvenir shops in the downtown area carry the same products at steeper prices, so this is a good way to save money and time by picking up most of your souvenirs in one entertaining trip.


The Mercado is on Calle 6 and Avenida Central (the pedestrian walkway). You can walk there from Hotel Presidente in ten minutes or take a cab. If walking, you’ll see tons of shops and stores offering shoes, clothes, electronics and other products for the Costa Rican shoppers.


From this entrance, turn right to find sandals, ornamental lighters and key chains, beautifully hand-painted glassware, ceramics, miniature ox carts and other arts and crafts. Indonesian masks are sold in a booth on the far right side. Unless you're starved and seeking a cheap meal, there is no need to venture into the Mercados' interior

It is devoted to dining and food sales.

Most of the shops are along the wall adjoining the street, so simply stroll around all four sides to see most of the wares. Keep in mind that Costa Rican hammocks are among the most uncomfortable on the planet. (For Latin-style guayabara shirts, look for a shop on the right side of Avenida Central a block before you reach the Mercado.)

Arts and Crafts

The top spot for is beside the National Museum of History, between Avenida 2 and Avenida Central just a few blocks east of Hotel Presidente. Artisans from the Caribbean coast, Escazu and other parts of Central America display a wide variety of unique items perfectly suited and priced for gifts

New Mini-mall Downtown

PlazaAvenida opened in November on the corner of Avenida Central and Calle 9, the same block as Hotel Presidente and KFC. The main entrance is across the street from Restaurante Mariscar. It has a variety of shops and several good restaurants. A dining area on the terrace overlooks the pedestrian walkway and is great for people-watching.


Guaro, Cigars and Rum

The local guaro and rum are available in supermarkets such as Mas x Menos and Pereferico’s, both near the top downtown hotels. If you try the spicy Cuban rums—and This Writer highly recommends Havana Club -- drink it all before returning to the US, which does not allow any Cuban-made goods.


That goes for cigars too. Never buy them on the street, as most of these are really cheaply made from either Costa Rica. Best place downtown in on the southwest corner of Parque Morazan in a shop with a yellow "Cuban Cigars" sign, next to the souvenir shop on the corner

Books and Magazines

If you're looking for something something to read during your vacation, Mora Books has the city’s biggest assortment of English-language books. Good prices, too, as they are all used. To find Mora Books, head up the pedestrian walkway from Hotel Presidente to the fountain with the clock, take a right and enter the Omni Building on the next corner. It’s all the way back in the right hand corner. English-language films are screened in the Omni Theatre if you want to kill some time during rainy season.