Costa Rica has some of the prettiest souvenirs and artwork anywhere in the world.
Souvenirs run from traditional t-shirts, magnets and stickers right up to elaborate carvings, pottery, painted oxcarts, oxcart liquor bars and everything in between!
Cartago has some great souvenir shops and items unique to the area.
Of course, you can also do a last minute souvenir pick up at the airport. I won’t deny they have beautiful things…but it will cost you.
So, what is the best place to shop for souvenirs?
Souvenir Shopping in Cartago, Costa Rica
If you find yourself in Cartago, Costa Rica, you can buy souvenirs and gifts while avoiding the crowds and tourist traps that are more frequent in San Jose.
I suggest Cartago’s Municipal Market. The marketplace is not to be missed, and you will find Costa Rican crafts there.
In addition, surrounding the Basilica are numerous stores selling religious artifacts and replicas of La Negrita. These shops are interesting to look through and carry items unique to Cartago only. There’s also my favorite souvenir shop in Cartago called Artesania La Guaria. It sits kitty-corner to the Basilica and has beautiful items including the adorable sloth you see above!
However, there’s one place I like to shop for gifts, and it’s not what you think.
The Supermarket for Souvenirs?
Where??
Out of all the wonderful places to shop, my favorite place for souvenirs is..(gasp!)…the supermarket.
Yes.
Hands down, yes.
This really applies to wherever you may be in Costa Rica. If you’ve just realized you haven’t purchased a thing for anyone on your list, relax. Head to your local Mas X Menos, Auto Mercado, Pali or whichever store you have in your town.
Walmart works, too, if you have one near.
I can tell you that I have purchased every single item on this list during one of my journeys to Costa Rica, and each one was very well received by someone, or enjoyed by me.
Here’s just a sample of smart gift ideas from your local Tico supermarket:
Coffee
Plan on bringing coffee back? Great idea, Costa Rican coffee is the best in the world! Head to your supermarket!
They have a superb selection of coffees including Britt, which most travelers are familiar with. But please, explore the coffee aisle and try some different brands. Coffee brands in Costa Rica are constantly coming out with new varieties. In Cartago, you’ll find plenty of Tarrazu brands.
And, they’re priced right.
Not only is the selection outstanding, but in a supermarket, the turnaround is fast and the coffee is always fresh. You can guarantee it hasn’t been sitting around.
Many packages are decorated with colorful Costa Rican artwork, making them beyond awesome gifts.
One note: decaffeinated coffee can be hard to find in Costa Rica. The only brand of decaf I’ve found is Britt, in the dark blue bag. It’s really hit and miss. If you can’t find it locally, you may find it at the Britt store in the airport.
Salsa Lizano
Planning on bringing back a bit of Costa Rica in the form of Salsa Lizano? It’s a great choice and your friends will love it!
Stock-up at your local supermarket. The prices are better and they offer all sizes from itty-bitty bottles to the ginormous size. And again, the turnaround is better and the product is fresher.
You’ll also see Lizano brand Tabasco and Chilero sauces. They make great gifts, too.
Costa Rican Candy
Mmmm, got a sweet tooth? Me, too. Costa Rican candies are excellent gifts and I always bring some back.
Check out chocolate covered guava jelly, and chocolate covered coffee beans!
Tapitas are another favorite that’s been around for years. Luscious chocolate bites with crispy rice or dulce de leche flavor.
Like hard candies? Find them in fruit, mint and milk caramel flavors (Morenitos).
And, don’t miss out on “melcocha”. If you can find them, they’re delicious. Some are made from sour cream (natilla) and others from a brown sugar-like product called “tapa dulce”. The taste resembles molasses, yum!
Keep your eyes peeled for “cajeta de leche” as well. Many times cajeta is sold in pulperias or tiny roadside stores. You’ll find it everywhere from the big cities all the way out in the beach towns.
Cajeta is basically fudge made from milk and sugar, or condensed and/or powdered milk. There’s also a coconut variety, slow cooked in sugar and milk. The taste is sweet, mouth-watering and absolutely Costa Rican.
Cookies and Pastries
Costa Rican cookies and pastries are the bomb. My all-time favorite pre-packaged cookies are the famous “Chiky”. They’ve been around for YEARS. It’s a basic vanilla cookie covered with chocolate. So simple, yet…so good. Chiky also come out with seasonal flavors, so be on the lookout.
Explore your supermarket for Costa Rican goodies such as guava or pineapple filled pastries, biscocho (rings made from corn and cheese) as well as cream horns and other local sweet treats. Most are perfectly wrapped up and easy to transport.
Spices
Like to cook? Check out the spice aisle for interesting spices you might not be familiar with. I especially like the “bomba de especias”, a plastic bag filled with spices like curry, paprika and cumin swirled into a pretty design and just bursting with flavor.
You’ll find interesting seasoning packets that can be added to rice, as well as annatto paste. Annatto paste, made from annatto seed, is used to color food. I like picking up a container of the paste because I’ve never seen it at home in the States. A little dab turns your rice into a nice yellow color.
Liquor
If you’re convinced that while candy is dandy, liquor is quicker, then liquor might be the perfect gift. Costa Rican supermarkets are allowed to sell wine and spirits as well as beer, like some states do (but not New York!).
Beer cans are sold separately, so you can buy just one or two. Imperial and Pilsen make nice gifts, especially if you find one with cool graphics.
Guaro is a popular spirit sold in Costa Rica. Cacique is one of the more popular brands, and you can find it in small plastic bottles, perfect for packing.
Other Ideas
There’s always interesting finds at a supermarket, no matter where in the world you travel.
Here’s a few more Costa Rican supermarket suggestions:
Jellies and jams—try guava or pineapple!
Chips–grab a bag of plantain or yuca chips. Yuca chips are especially tasty in barbecue flavor!
Love tuna? Try the interesting varieties they sell such as vegetable mix, jalapeno and onion with pepper.
Craving more sweets? Look for tapa dulce. It’s basically a piece of unrefined sugar used to make “sweet water”. You can also find small mini tapas or buy it ground in a bag. Use it to sweeten coffee, the taste is very unique.
Soaps, shampoos and creams. Costa Rica makes deliciously scented soaps and shampoos, as well as their famous baby cologne.
In Cartago
Cartago has a lot of nice supermarkets, and it’s really personal preference. However, no trip to Cartago is complete if you don’t visit one of their oldest grocery stores, the Super Despensa. It’s an absolute must, even for locals.
Super Despensa is located right on and it sells pretty much whatever you need; it’s an older supermarket and has barely changed from what I remember in 1984, although they have been remodeling one half of the store during 2018.
People love the Despensa because it sells a fantastic collection of hard-to-find old-fashioned cookware including tin cups, bakeware and metal comals, pots and pans. They also sell a wonderful selection of pastries and baked goods from local outfits. There is also a hardware section, toys, and stationery goods.
I highly recommend the Super Despensa for a walk down memory lane. I go there every time I’m in Cartago.
My second recommendation is the more modern Mas X Menos located in Metro Centro, on the edge of Cartago. This ultra modern supermarket is a pleasure to shop in. Taxi service is located right outside, so buy to your heart’s content.
More Than Just Shopping at a Supermarket
Sometimes the best souvenir isn’t really a souvenir. It’s a taste, a scent…or maybe a new flavor that you can experience each time you use it.
Plus, not only have you purchased some unique things, but you’ve also given yourself a mini-education into Costa Rican culture.
No tourist guide can teach you what a supermarket can; you’ve now learned what Costa Ricans like to snack on, what brands are popular and how their products and prices differ from ours.
You’ve learned how produce differs between supermarket and marketplace. What cuts of meat they sell. What crazy sodas and beverages are available.
You’ve found products that you never imagined existed and you may even find products that you can’t find in the States anymore, but are still alive and well in Costa Rica. Surprise!
And, best of all, you probably have enough coffee for months.
Wherever your travels lead you, try to include a local supermarket.
What strange gift have you brought back from a faraway land that friends and family went nuts over? Tell me about it in the comments below, and happy shopping!