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Definitely worth a visit. There is some excellent value fruit and veg. If the rambuten is in season, get it! It's soooo good. The indoor section of the market has some good quality fish/meat/spices as well as souvenirs/wood and plastic produce and general groceries. It is generally cheaper than the supermarkets although, in Costa Rica, that isn't difficult. You do need a bit of Spanish to get a decent deal often but I've always found people very pleasant there whenever I have been. There are some excellent sodas inside the market as well. Go to a busy one where there are some Costa Ricans sitting down, and you can't go wrong!…
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Date of experience: August 2020
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This was one of the stops during a guided tour of the city. We walked through the market, sampled some ice cream, and bought some souvenirs. I've been to many different types of markets in other countries: This market didn't stick out as extraordinary but it gives you a good sense of the local foods. and hustle & bustle.…
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Date of experience: August 2019
1 Helpful vote
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We were fortunate to have a personal guide, an old friend and high school mate of mine to spend an afternoon showing us the market. Junk, food, souvenirs, breads, fish, meats, about anything you might want to buy in a confusing maze of aisles, corner stands, restaurants, snack places. A fun experience.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
1 Helpful vote
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We have been in Costa Rica now for a week, today was out last day. Decided to go to San Jose and tour the Mercado area. Came out of the Cathedral, we’re we’re quickly accosted by beggars. Then someone came up behind me and grabbed my necklace, twisted and yanked. Then he ran. Be very careful. Do not wear any jewelry when visiting this area. Afterwards I noted that almost all women were not wearing any jewelry around the neck.…
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Date of experience: March 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Finding the central mercado in San Jose was more difficult than it would seem--perhaps because we were unfamiliar with the layout of the city's central core, but we ended up asking for directions from at least two locals (including a helpful police officer) before we found it. Once found, the exterior of the mercado was fairly unimpressive--once inside however, you are presented with a labyrinth of narrow lanes and corridors, lined with every type of merchant and food vendor selling everything from fresh herbs, fish, poultry, and other meats, to cheap souvenirs and electronics, to tiny four-seat eateries serving up authentic local Costa Rican food. We spent maybe 45 minutes wandering the maze-like corridors, sat down at a counter and ordered some local ice cream treats, browsed the produce and fresh food stalls, and had a great lunch at a tiny cafe fronted by maybe eight stools where we were served by a trio of hard-working women who spun around each other in perhaps 30 square feet. This is a must-stop for first-time visitors to San Jose, to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and flavors of an authentic mercado.…
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Date of experience: December 2019
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