Costa Rica Farmers Markets (Feria)

By 34 Comments

On the second day I moved to Costa Rica, Jason (my Costa Rican husband) took me to the local feria, or farmers market in the town we moved to, San Isidro de Heredia.

It was so much fun to wander around the many stalls in the osta Rican farmers markets to see all the exotic fruits and watch the locals go about their normal daily lives.

Costa Rica ferias del agriculturo - produce farmers markets
As an onion lover, this was paradise for me! At the local market in Heredia

Costa Rican farmers markets are an excellent introduction into local life and culture for anyone who just moved there.

As a foreigner, it’s fascinating to visit and it’s a great first step into acclimating to Costa Rican society. You can practice your Spanish, get to know your neighbors and try new local specialties and treats.

Not only that, but you get to go home with lots of cheap and delicious fruits and veggies!

Even if you’re not living in Costa Rica, visiting the farmers market is a fun experience for tourists.

I highly recommend finding out if there is a local feria near where you’re staying and visiting one day if you’re interested in learning about Costa Rican culture and local life.

Costa Rica Farmers Market Products

Many of the farmers markets in Costa Rica are Feria del Agricultor or markets that sell mostly just produce.

If you venture out to the more touristic areas, the markets have a bigger mix of locals and foreigners so they sell a variety of items like jewelry, clothing, household goods and things like that.

For the most local experience, the cities in the Central Valley like San Jose, Heredia, Turrialba, Atenas and Grecia are great options.

If you go to the beach towns like Tamarindo, it is more touristy and expensive though still a fun experience.

Here is the information for some popular Costa Rica ferias around the country.

Tamarindo Farmers Market

Saturdays 7 AM to 1 PM, behind Nogui’s Restaurant. Mostly expats and foreigners, nice mix of produce, trinkets, seafood, clothes.

Villarreal, the local town about a 15 minute drive outside Tamarindo has a large farmer’s market everyday.

San Jose

There are several farmer’s markets in San Jose. Popular ones are in Pavas, Tibas, Zapote, Santa Ana and Hatillo and Escazu.

The downtown San Jose market is on Saturdays at 7 AM, on Avenida 20, between Calle 5 and 11.

You can also go to the Central Market (Mercado Central) which is open Monday – Saturday, 630 AM – 6 PM.

San Jose Artisan Market

For jewelry and artisan products, check out the artisan market in San Jose, on calle 5, avenida 6. Open everyday from 8 AM to 8 PM. Great place for souvenirs and for supporting the local community.

Farmers Market Heredia

Only Saturdays, 5 AM – 130 PM.

Costa-Rica-farmers-market-in-Heredia
Farmers market in Heredia, Costa Rica

Puerto Viejo

The local farmer’s market is open Saturday morning from 6 AM until about 11 AM. In downtown Puerto Viejo, next to a bright yellow house on stilts on a
side street.

La Fortuna

Wednesday evenings for the local artisan market and Friday morning for local farmer’s market. In front of the bull running stadium, Las Espeulas by the local soccer field(polideportivo) in La Fortuna town.

Monteverde

Friday afternoons at the Monteverde Centro Commerical in Santa Elena.

Bijagua

Small market on Saturdays, on the corner in Bijagua town.

Dominical

Fridays from 830 AM – 130 PM. In main street downtown, near Patrons’ restaurant.

Tinamastes Farmer’s Market

In between San Isidro and Dominical, open every Tuesday 8 AM to 12 PM. Second biggest farmer’s market, nice mix of locals and foreigners.

San Ramon

Open Fridays 10 AM – 8 PM, Saturdays 7 AM to 12 PM near the blue church. Very nice local farmers market.

Costa Rica farmers markets or ferias

Quepos Feria

Fridays at 4 PM and Saturday mornings on the Paseo del Mar in Quepos, down the street from the Best Western.

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34 responses

  1. Brian

    Do they take US cash at the farmers markets? In particular will plan to visit the one in La Fortuna.

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      Its better to pay in CRC

      Reply
  2. Chris

    Any markets in Manuel Antonio area?

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      I believe there is one in Quepos

      Reply
  3. Michaelabanks

    Thanks for the info!!

    Reply
  4. Mari Quiambao

    where can I buy green papayas? neither auto mercado or super compro had it while there (tamarindo) in early August.

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      Try the local farmer’s markets (feria), green papaya is not as common here as the normal one

      Reply
  5. Sammy

    Are there any farmers markets near Montezuma? Also, do you know of any sprout farmers that produce sunflower and pea sprouts and wheatgrass?

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      I’m not sure if they’re still going on but it seems they had ferias Saturday mornings. I’m not familiar with sprout farmers, sorry 🙁

      Reply
  6. Jake

    Has anyone ever found any brussel sprouts at these farmers markets?

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      I haven’t seen them at the local farmer’s markets (feria agricultura) but for some of the more touristic farmer’s markets like in Tamarindo or the Tinamastes one, I think I have seen them before. Never seen them in supermarkets where we are in Guanacaste.

      Reply
  7. Leona

    Do you know of any in Sámara?

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      Looks like at Samara Organics in the natural center, there is Tuesday in the mornings and Friday in the afternoon. Maybe you can contact the Samara Info Center people to check the exact schedule.

      Reply
  8. Melissa Soro

    The BioMercado Farmer’s Market in La Fortuna (Mondays 3PM-7PM), fractures pesticide-free products from local farmers, you can meet them and they will talk to you about about the pesticide-free AND agroecological movement in the area.

    Reply
  9. Kathy@DavesTravelCorner

    Growing up, I prefer farmers’ markets over supermarkets. I have gone to the Tinamastes Farmer’s Market – I found the prices cheaper and of course the produce fresher 🙂

    Reply
  10. Jessica

    Do you know of any in Liberia area? 🙂

    Reply
    1. Sammi

      I haven’t been but check the Liberia Feria del Agricultor Facebook page.

      Reply
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