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San José Shopping

Karen in front of El Gran Cacaqui - San José
Karen in front of El Gran Cacaqui
by Stephen-KarenConn
Go shopping in San José with recommendations, reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and locals.
Local Time 10:20 pm Wednesday, May 14, 2008
San José Map
• San José Hotels
Popular Shopping | Miscellaneous Shopping Tips | All Tips (23)
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Avenida Central: Avenida Central
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  • In downtown San José you will find Avenida Central's nine blocks in a sort of promenade, where you will find anything, from restaurants, clothes' shops (including Payless Shoes Source, where I bought some sandals) pharmacies, internet cafes and, in general, all types of commercial activity. Go and take a look!

  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Avenida Central

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    Centro Comercial Multiplaza: "The" Mall in San José
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  • Centro Comercial Multiplaza (from website) - San José
    Centro Comercial Multiplaza
    (from website)
    by besbel
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    Located in the Centro Empresarial Forum, it is the place for shopping. You can find anything of the highest quality in there, from goods (like clothes, sport outfits, jewelry, groceries, souvenirs) to services (beauty saloons, restaurants, cinemas, etc.). Their prices range from less expensive than average to really expensive, but that depends on the item and the store.

  • Theme: Department Store
  • Address: next to Hotel Intercontinental
  • Phone: (506) 289-9300
  • Directions: Escazú, at the highway to Santa Ana
  • Website: http://www.multiplazamall.com

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    Moravia: Moravia: the Point for Souvenirs
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  • Moravia is the area of San José where you will find streets full of souvenir stores. There is a HUGE variety of little things to remember San José and Costa Rica, from keyholders to clothes, leather and glass articles, ceramics, etc., and at the lowest prices and special discounts for volume. Take your time for choosing!

    There are tons of Costa Rican souvenirs, however, the one I recommend is the typical Costa Rican that you won't find anywhere else: the wooden carriage of coffee. You would find it at any size, any color and any prize, and Moravia offers them all to you. I mention this because the other stuff like glasses, pens, exotic animals, bookmarks, etc, can be found also with similar characteristics in other countries, but with the name of the country/city changed.

  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: You can go by bus from downtown, in 4th avenue, no more than 120 colones the ride, or by taxi.

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    Mercado Central: local stuff...
  • Tip Rating:
  • more comments it in my last travelogue, I don't want you to have to read it twice, simply don't miss it... in the pic the Teatro Nacional by night and no tripod for taking it ;-)...

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  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Avenidas Central & 1, Calles 6 & 8
  • Directions: you can reach it for example from the Avenida Central, walking the pedestrian zone, it's on the right (going west) before the Avenida changes its name in Paseo Colón...

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    Fuerte Bellevista: Flea Market
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  • There isn’t much to buy in Costa Rica that you couldn’t buy cheaper somewhere else but its fun to rummage through a market even if you don’t buy anything. The are some markets on the west end of downtown, but the area always feels disreputable. On the east end of downtown is a nicer market that has a better feel to it.

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Address: Enter from Avenida Central or Av. 2 at Calle 13
  • Directions: On the west side of Fuerte Bellevista (Museo Nacional)

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    a local shops gallery...: watch batteries...
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  • definitely cheaper are the watch batteries: here in italy they are normally expensive and I had with me such an old wrist watch that a new battery wouldn't have been worth so I thought to ask for its price, once found where (in CR you buy them in jewelry shops) and it was incredibly cheap... In the pic the Templo de Música in the Parque Morózan.

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  • Theme: Other

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    Everywhere: Coffee
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  • Costa Rican Coffee is just exceptional, especially after weeks of watery American brew... Cafe Britt is the big name brand you'll see almost anywhere, and they also have a nice plantation with tour, restaurant etc. just outside San Jose. Try the Tarrazu and Tres Ríos Valdivia for something different. They have also recently brought out a range of Pervian coffees which are pretty good. Other brands to look out for are Oro and Rey, all of which you can generally find in supermarkets.

    If you're planning on buying a lot of coffee, Cafe Britt has an online site which is cheaper and much more convenient to the US & Canada than lugging it back from Costa Rica. www. cafebritt.com

    $7.95 per bag, mostly with free delivery. Buying a case of 20 and splitting with friends makes for a great price.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: Check out the Cafe Britt tour details on the website.
  • Website: www.cafebritt.com

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    Avenida Central: Pedestrian Mall
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  • Avenida Central, the main street in San Jose is a pedestrian only shopping mall for abotu 10 blokcs in the heart of downtown. Most major department stores are along this street.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Avenida Central

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    Mercado Nacional de Artesanías: Handicrafts and Art
  • Tip Rating:
  • I can't find a picture for this tip!!! - San José
    I can't find a picture for
    this tip!!!
    by Firestar24
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    We walked into the centre of San Jose for a bit a shopping and a nose around and I was quite disappointed by the shops... There were millions of shoe shops, but nothing really startling. We had a good walk around and found a good place to have lunch and wandered back to the Hostel to get changed for the night time. On the way back, just a couple of blocks from where we were staying, we found The Mercado Nacional de Artesanías. This shop/market holds a fantastic display of Local handicrafts and artwork at bargin prices - it really is worth a look. I can't believe we nearly missed it!

    Woodwork is really big here - particularly rosewood boxes set with tiny handpainted tiles - I should have taken a picture of mine for these pages - it's really beautiful.

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Address: Calle 11, just further down from Av. 2
  • Directions: Calle 11, behind Soledad Church and very near the Greenhouse Hostel!
  • Website: www.mercadoartesania.com

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    Multiplaza: Multiplaza
  • Tip Rating:
  • Largest mall in San Jose where you can find pretty much everything including food court, movies and a supermarket.

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  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: Off Don Prospero between the Escazu & Santa Ana exits
  • Website: http://www.multiplazamall.com/

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    More San José Tips
    Overview
     
    General Tips
    Tips: 41 - Photos: 35
    Restaurants
    Tips: 69 - Photos: 33
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 97 - Photos: 45
    Things To Do
    Tips: 129 - Photos: 116
    Nightlife
    Tips: 35 - Photos: 16
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 40 - Photos: 35
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 8 - Photos: 5
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 27 - Photos: 5
    Transportation
    Tips: 40 - Photos: 17
    Local Customs
    Tips: 28 - Photos: 18
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 4 - Photos: 3
    Shopping
    Tips: 23 - Photos: 14
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 6
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 6

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