FINDING COSTA RICA SOUVENIRS

What's a vacation to the Land of Pura Vida without some great Costa Rica souvenirs?

Now, of course, you can do like thousands of other tourists: go into one of the many souvenir shops at San Jose International Airport, buy the same kind of mementos as everybody else, and pay. . . through the nose.

Of course, at one of the country's many attractions, like the Cafe Britt coffee plantation, visit its gift shop and . . .reach deep into your pockets. . . for a souvenir.

Or---shop smart and go to the best places. Some ideas:

San Jose Artisan's Market

When visiting downtown San Jose, you can visit the San Jose Artisan's Market.

Housing some 60-100 vendors, the Market has been a famous attraction for foreigners and Ticos alike for decades.

While downtown San Jose is alive with activity, jammed with crowds of people and, of course, shops selling Costa Rica souvenirs, the Artisans Market sometimes seems like an oasis.

Filled to the brim with handcrafted arts and crafts, you'll find everything from colorful hammocks to old-fashioned appearing "coffee pots" (pictured above), jewelry, exquisite woods, paintings, traditional indigenous masks, instruments, sandals and other things considered to be authentically Costa Rican, often at . . . half the price of Costa Rica's tourist traps.

Important Note: New Location

In 2011, the San Jose Artisans Market moved to a new location.

Though now located in the Parque de las Garantías Sociales (Park of Social Guaranties) between 4th Avenue and 7th Street, many, many travel sites and travel guides incorrectly continue to point visitors to its former location.

Final Comment: Though I've been referring to souvenirs throughout this page, the Artisans Market is more than a big souvenir shop.

There, you'll also find good quality art and crafts suitable for your home.

Boruca Masks

The Borucas are an indigenous Indian tribe in the southwestern part of Costa Rica.

It's worth a visit if you're on the hunt for really beautiful and memorable souvenirs because these folks are famous for their Borucan masks.

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