Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
San José Shopping
Search:

San José Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

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.
San José Map
San José ShoppingTips 1 - 10 of 24  
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Fuerte Bellevista: Flea Market
  • Tip Rating:
    • penumbra
  • By penumbra on September 2, 2006
  • San José Page by penumbra
    • Bargin Bazarr - San José
    Bargin Bazarr
    by penumbra
    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.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Address: Enter from Avenida Central or Av. 2 at Calle 13
  • Directions: On the west side of Fuerte Bellevista (Museo Nacional)
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting San José?

    Read reviews about San José Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Moravia: Moravia: the Point for Souvenirs
  • Tip Rating:
    • besbel
  • By besbel on March 1, 2003
  • San José Page by besbel
    • 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.
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Avenida Central: Avenida Central
  • Tip Rating:
    • besbel
  • Updated By besbel on March 2, 2003
  • San José Page by besbel
    • Avenida Central - San José
    Avenida Central
    by besbel
    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
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Centro Comercial Multiplaza: "The" Mall in San José
  • Tip Rating:
    • besbel
  • Updated By besbel on February 18, 2007
  • San José Page by besbel
    • Centro Comercial Multiplaza (from website) - San José
    Centro Comercial Multiplaza
    (from website)
    by besbel
    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
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Everywhere: Coffee
  • Tip Rating:
  • By Grootpiet on July 3, 2005
  • San José Page by Grootpiet
    • San José Shopping
    by Grootpiet
    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.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: Check out the Cafe Britt tour details on the website.
  • Website: www.cafebritt.com
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting San José?

    Read reviews about San José Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    a local shops gallery...: watch batteries...
  • Tip Rating:
    • pollon
  • By pollon on May 7, 2003
  • San José Page by pollon
    • Templo de Música - San José
    Templo de Música
    by pollon
    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.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Other
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Mercado Central: local stuff...
  • Tip Rating:
    • pollon
  • By pollon on May 7, 2003
  • San José Page by pollon
    • Teatro Nacional - San José
    Teatro Nacional
    by pollon
    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 ;-)...

    Leave a Comment

  • 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...
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Avenida Central: Pedestrian Mall
  • Tip Rating:
    • Jim_Eliason
  • Updated By Jim_Eliason on November 29, 2008
  • San José Page by Jim_Eliason
    • Avenida Central - San José
    Avenida Central
    by Jim_Eliason, 2 more photos
    Avenida Central, the main street in San Jose, is a pedestrian only shopping mall for about 10 blocks in the heart of downtown. Most major department stores are found along this street.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Other
  • Address: Avenida Central
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Mercado Nacional de Artesanías: Handicrafts and Art
  • Tip Rating:
    • Firestar24
  • Updated By Firestar24 on April 17, 2007
  • San José Page by Firestar24
    • I can't find a picture for this tip!!! - San José
    I can't find a picture for
    this tip!!!
    by Firestar24
    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.

    Leave a Comment

  • 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
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Multiplaza: Multiplaza
  • Tip Rating:
  • By Grootpiet on July 6, 2005
  • San José Page by Grootpiet
    • San José Shopping
    by Grootpiet
    Largest mall in San Jose where you can find pretty much everything including food court, movies and a supermarket.

    Leave a Comment

  • Theme: Other
  • Directions: Off Don Prospero between the Escazu & Santa Ana exits
  • Website: http://www.multiplazamall.com/
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    1 | 2 | 3
    More San José Tips
    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 111 - Photos: 83
    Things To Do
    Tips: 127 - Photos: 250    		Nightlife
    Tips: 37 - Photos: 16
    Transportation
    Tips: 43 - Photos: 18    		Restaurants
    Tips: 75 - Photos: 53
    Shopping
    Tips: 24 - Photos: 21    		Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 41 - Photos: 58
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 8 - Photos: 5    		Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 26 - Photos: 4
    Local Customs
    Tips: 29 - Photos: 19    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 4 - Photos: 3
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 10    		General Tips
    Tips: 40 - Photos: 39
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0
    Best San José Travel Deals

    Costa Rica Ten Days $995
    Fully Escorted Tour. All Inclusive. Free 28 Page Information Guide.

    Costa Rica Vacation
    Everything You Need to Plan Your Vacation including Discount Airfare

    Costa Rica San Jose City
    $494* Packages w/ Air - Costa Rica. Book Now - Sale Ends Sunday!

    Villa Blanca Eco Resort
    Costa Rica Cloud Forest Jungle Tours Dining Travel Green Packages

    Costa Rica Tarpon Lodge
    Come Fish, Hike, Eat & Stay at Our All-Inclusive Rainforest Lodge.

    Sponsored Links

    More San José Travel Deals

    North San Jose Hotel
    All-Suite Hotel in Santa Clara. Free Breakfast & WiFi. Book Now!

    Costa Rica Hotels
    Save 50% Off New Beachfront Resort! Book Your Costa Rica Package Today

    Top Costa Rica Hotel
    Experience Costa Rica's Top Resort! Book Paradisus Playa Conchal Now.

    Sponsored Links

    San José Hotels

    Cheap hotels from
    Cheap flights from
    Cheap car rentals from
    Cheap cruises from
    Cheap vacations from




    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.