Going grocery shopping is essential to any trip to Costa Rica whether you need to pick up any items you forgot, are staying in a vacation rental with a kitchen or are staying for a long period of time. Shopping in another country can be intimating, especially if you don’t speak the local language but it’s quite easy in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica has a range of supermarkets with a variety of items and brands and you can find nearly everything you’d find at home in their grocery stores. However, there are a few things to know before you grab a shopping cart and dive in which you can read in the post below.
What You Need to Know About Grocery Stores in Costa Rica
Masks are required to enter supermarkets in Costa Rica
Because of COVID-19, supermarkets in Costa Rica require guests to wear a mask to enter the store as masks are required indoors. Some supermarkets may also take your temperature and require you to wash your hands or sanitize before entering. Supermarkets in Costa Rica can deny entry to anyone not following these rules. If you wear a face shield, you must also wear a mask.
Additionally, some supermarkets will sanitize shopping carts for you, some may not meaning you will have to do it yourself.
Costa Rica has full service markets and convenience stores
In Costa Rica, you can find different kinds of markets. You have your full supermarkets that have fresh produce, home goods, a deli, frozen food section, drinks, etc. Then they have pulperias, which are like convenience stores with mostly just snacks, drinks and your quick stop products basic convenience store stuff.
Most grocery stores take USD and colones
Most grocery stores in Costa Rica take both USD and Costa Rica colones so if you don’t want to pay with your credit card, you can use cash. For pulperias, it is best to pay with credit card or Costa Rican colones as these are the small family owned stores.
If you use USD, they will use the exchange rate of the day (which should be posted somewhere at the front of the store, around 610 in November 2020) and give you your change back in colones.
This is a good way to get some Costa Rican colones without having to make an extra trip to the bank. However, if you are at a small convenience store (called pulperia or abastecedor in Costa Rica), check the exchange rate before leaving as soon may use the lazy 500 to 1 rate.
Read more about handling money and Costa Rican currency here.
Not all supermarkets have the same quality, carry the same items or have the same prices
There are many supermarkets in Costa Rica but not all of them carry the same items and have the same quality or prices.
For example, Auto Mercado, a Costa Rican owned store is well known for being a high end supermarket with high quality items, a bigger range of foreign products and a wide selection of produce. They also have conveyor belts, air conditioning and misting machines, a few things that are not super common in other grocery stores in Costa Rica. They have a sister store called Vindi which is pretty much a smaller Auto Mercado.
Pali, a supermarket chain owned by Walmart is a very basic market. The few times we have been to a Pali hasn’t been the most pleasant experience as they were messy and the workers were very slow. Maxi Pali, the bigger version of Pali has more items and is cleaner. Interestingly, even for local products, not all supermarkets carry them. Auto Mercado doesn’t carry one of the Costa Rican snacks I like but you can find it in Maxi Pali.
Then there are the middle-high range supermarkets like Mega Super, Perimercados, BM or Mas X Menos which have pretty much everything, is usually fairly clean and has a decent selection of produce.
Not every supermarket chain carries the same items or have the same prices. What’s cheap in the Auto Mercado San Jose is usually more expensive in Auto Mercado Coco because Coco is a touristic beach town.
You can find American and foreign brands and they are more expensive
The middle to high end supermarkets in Costa Rica do carry a good amount of American and foreign brands but they are more expensive.
For example, a bottle of Hawaiian tropic sunscreen is around 9,000 colones ($17 USD) when in the US, you can buy it on Amazon for around $6 USD (which is why we recommend bringing sunscreen and mosquito repellent). Shampoo and face wash brands like Neutrogena and Dove are also more expensive. Toiletries are one of the things more expensive in Costa Rica.
This also goes for food. If you see American brands, they will be more expensive in Costa Rica.
Anything they have to import will be a lot more expensive because of the high sales and import tax.
You can find local products for a lot of items like peanuts, pepper, ice cream, spaghetti sauce, rice and things like that which can be around half the cost of the imported products, so if you want to save money traveling in Costa Rica, then buy local brands.
24 hour supermarkets in Costa Rica are not common
Most supermarkets in Costa Rica close by 8 PM.
Some supermarkets have a pharmacy but not all
In Costa Rica, not all supermarkets have their own pharmacy. The only one I’ve been to that has their own pharmacy is the Walmart, Mas x Menos and Maxi Pali.
Hard to find vegan/vegetarian friendly options…
…in some supermarkets. But more grocery stores in Costa Rica are stocking vegan and vegetarian products and is getting easier to find.
Currently in Guanacaste, I haven’t been able to find tofurkey or vegan cheese in any supermarket except Auto Mercado. They also have tofurkey, vegan eggs and cheese and veggie burgers (they just got the Beyond line). So this is a good supermarket to go to if you are vegan. (Read more about eating vegetarian/vegan in Costa Rica here) but keep in mind that it is not very cheap.
Some common veg items you can find in most supermarkets are almond/soy/rice milk and box tofu. You may be able to find more options in the supermarkets in San Jose since it is the city.
You can also find gluten free items in Costa Rica. Some of the higher end supermarkets may even have a dedicated aisle to them, like Auto Mercado. My friend who has Crohn’s disease and is allergic to many things had a much easier time buying snacks and things to eat there. You can find gluten free items in other supermarkets but they don’t really have a whole aisle dedicated to it, they usually have just a few items.
You can find all basic cuts of meat in Costa Rica
For meat, you can find your basics: beef, pork and chicken and you can find all the normal cuts. Only some stores have a seafood section (or they have a frozen seafood section) and it’s hard to find things like ground chicken, ground pork and turkey on a daily basis. But you can get chicken breasts, wings, thighs, sirloin steaks, pork chops, marinated meats and more.
Remember that all the names of the cuts will be in Spanish so it will be handy to write them down if you’re looking for a certain one like lomo (tenderloin), costillas (ribs) and entraña fina (skirt steak).
Popular Grocery Stores in Costa Rica
Auto Mercado (throughout Costa Rica, mostly Central Valley, Jaco and Guanacaste)
These are popular grocery stores in San Jose and Northern Guanacaste.
BM (in Uvita and Costa Ballena area)
Main grocery store in Uvita and Dominical. Mostly in the South Pacific like Puerto Jimenez, Palmar, San Vito and San Isidro de General.
Mega Super
Tons of locations in Costa Rica.
Vindi
A smaller grocery store chain under Auto Mercado. In San Jose, Heredia and Tamarindo.
Walmart (Liberia and San Jose)
Full service Walmart with a cafeteria, clothes, produce, furniture, electronics and more.
Fresh Market
Small market, good produce. Only in San Jose and Heredia.
Maxi Pali and Pali
You can find Maxi Palis and Palis all throughout Costa Rica.
Super Compro
You can find Super Compros in San Jose, Guanacaste and Monteverde. I personally don’t like these supermarkets very much, they are usually very slow and messy but they are a large chain.
Mas X Menos
This is the most popular grocery store in Jaco as it is right in downtown.
Perimercado (San Jose, Central Valley)
Popular supermarkets in San Jose.
Pricemart (a membership only store like Costco)
This is a exactly like Costco in the US, however you cannot use your Costco membership at Pricemart. But for those who are living in Costa Rica, a Pricemart membership is amazing.
In Liberia, San Jose, Heredia and Central Valley.
Costa Rica Grocery Prices
Here is a list of how much groceries cost in Costa Rica. These prices are from the Mega Super/Auto Mercado in the Tamarindo area so they are generally a bit more higher.
This is just to give you an idea of how much basic items cost. On average, they may differ from 100-600 colones (or greater depending on the item).
For 2 people living in a touristic area of Costa Rica, groceries are usually the biggest chunk of our monthly budget since we love to eat and I love to bake and cook.
Prices are quoted in Costa Rican colones and USD and are an average.
Costa Rica grocery prices (as of Jan 2020)
1 kg sugar: 650 colones ($1.07)
Yellow onions: 1800 per kg ($2.97)
Can of OFF family mosquito repellent: 4920 ($8.12)
1 loaf of white bread: 1600 ($2.64)
1 liter of non fat milk: 890 (1.47)
Tomatoes: 2000/kg ($3.30)
.660 kg (~1.5 lbs) of ground beef: 4860 ($8.02)
15 regular eggs: 2000 ($3.30)
6 rolls of toilet paper: 2000 ($3.30)
1 Gillette mens razor: 4110 ($6.78)
1 kg of white rice (local brand): 1270 ($2.10)
~1.5 lbs of chicken breast: 4018 ($6.63)
123 ml Colgate toothpaste: 2600 ($4.29)
Tampons (10 pack): 2450 ($4.04)
500 ml Listerine: 3900 ($4.95)
1 block local white cheese: 2675 ($4.41)
6 pack of Costa Rican beer (Imperial): 4620 ($7.62)
Grand Old Parr Whisky: 31,400 ($51.80)
1 kg flour: 590 ($.97)
Special K cereal: 4080 ($6.73)
24 pack of water: 8390 ($13.84)
1750 ml bottle of water: 1000 (1.65)
1 L olive oil: 7495 ($12.36)
Discounts and Deals
Some supermarkets have certain days where they offer really good discounts (up to 50%). Auto Mercado has the farmers markets promos on Wednesdays, Mega Super is usually on the weekends.
Something to note that if you are renting a vacation rental or want to drink a lot of alcohol during your trip, stop by the duty free store in the airport and buy alcohol there when you land. It’s a lot cheaper and you can find a good variety of hard alcohol. Tourists can buy up to 6 bottles of alcohol (last time I checked in 2019).
Costa Rica Farmers Markets
If you get a chance, we highly recommend checking out a local farmers market in Costa Rica (called feria in Spanish). They usually have excellent local produce for good prices and it’s a fun cultural experience. Read more about Costa Rica farmer’s markets here.
Read more posts about Costa Rica below!
Dimi says
Hi Sammy,
We will be driving from SJO to Manuel Antonio area. As far as I can see on the map, there are some Walmarts and Auto Mercados along the way. What would be your preference between Walmart and Auto Mercado in terms of variety and quality of products?
Sammi says
Walmart here is bigger in the sense that they have a clothing section, sports, home goods, etc.etc. if that makes a difference to you but both are full service supermarkets
Nader says
Hi,
We are going to Manuel Antonio in early December. Can you give me general idea about wine and beer prices?
Are there dedicated liquor stores?
Any tips on where best to buy?
Thank you very much.
Nader
Sammi says
Hi Nader, you can find liquor stores and then wine/beer/hard liquor are sold at supermarkets too.
Nikki says
Thanks for sharing. I will be there this month celebrating my birthday. I was going to Belize first but changed my mind at the last minute. We will stay in San Jose. We are looking to jet ski one day and atv another day. Do you think it’s best to purchase excursions online from trip advisor or wait until we get to our hotel?
I want to go out at night. Are there any bars or clubs that play hip hop and r&b? What do they do for Halloween? Should we convert money or just use our credit cards?
Thanks sorry for so many questions. I am use of just paying for a trip that others in the group put together. This time it’s just me and my spouse traveling.
Sammi says
For anything you have thats a “must do” I would recommend to pre-book to save your spots.
Costa Rica doesn’t really celebrate Halloween but with more foreigners living here, you can find some places offering Hallowwen parties, to be honest I am not sure if in San Jose they do but you can ask around to see. You can read more about Handling money in Costa Rica in this post.
Colleen Malloy says
We are arriving on Dec. 24 – are grocery stores open in San Jose on this holiday?
Thanks!
Sammi says
Yes, they may have limited hours but will be open
Al says
Hi,
I am wondering if any grocery stores offer curbside pickup.
We are staying in Playa Grande and flying into Liberia.
Thanks!
Sammi says
The Auto Mercado on the way to Tamarindo does!
Penny Ure says
our family of 20 people will be flying into Liberia- staying in Orotina. would you advise us to purchase groceries in Liberia or San Jose?
Sammi says
Either location, whichever is more convenient for you guys – just keep in mind we don’t have 24 hour supermarkets so depending on when your flight lands, you can see which destination is better for timing wise.
Matt P says
Hi there! Thank you so much for all the super helpful info in this blog–it’s truly amazing! Question about grocery stores…do you know of any that carry a good selection (or any) organic produce? Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Matt, they don’t really have like an “organic” section for produce in supermarkets here, there’s not really like a separation between organic and non-organic
Julia says
Hi, great blog! We’re planning to stay in Jaco for a month. Does Walmart (from San Jose area) deliver to Jaco? Are there any alternatives to Amazon? So we can buy something only and get it delivered within a few days?
Thank you
Sammi says
I just checked the Walmart Costa Rica website but unfortunately they don’t do home delivery to Jaco, they do have Liberia and various locations in San Jose but it looks like Auto Mercado in Herradura does offer express and pick up.
Diane F. says
Hi There – We are in Playa Potrero for the month of January with our two adolescent boys. They are eating us out of house and home! Wondering if there is somewhere cheaper to buy food than the SuperMercato here in Potrero? We don’t have a car but know a driver but then wondering if that would negate any savings?
Also, since we are here for a month what would be the top things you’d recommend us doing during our stay. We are thinking of one “adventure” per week…. We are mostly here to get out of the cold while we are all working or going to school online.
Thanks so much for your help! Diane
Sammi says
You can check out the Super Compro in Huacas, that supermarket is more of the local market and they have all the basics but Guanacaste and that area in general is expensive for groceries, especially for items besides basics (rice, beans, tomates, onions, lettuce, things like that). There is also a small local farmer’s market in the Huacas corner that you can check out too for produce.
You can check our Things to do in Guanacaste post for ideas of things to do and day trips from Potrero. Since you don’t have a car, you’ll have to book tours or you can rent a car for a few days at a time.
Sayda Robles says
Hi Sammi Pura Vida
Estamos organizando un viaje familiar a Costa Rica en los proximos meses; nos vamos a hospedar en Costa Ballena, Uvita Puntarenas, nos pudieras recomendar almacenes para compras de despensa que esten cerca de esa area. Hay un Pricemart cerca? es posible que te permitan la primera visita complementaria. Nuestras nececidades es para un grupo de 25 personas entre adultos y menores.
Sammi says
Hola, no hay Pricemart en Uvita pero el supermercado en este region se llama BM. Hay dos grandes en Uvita.
Ricky Windhorst says
Greetings, I love your blog. My wife and I have been to Costa Rica about 10 times since 2003. You blog is dead on accurate, one thing you might want to let people know that the cheapest place to buy liquor is at the Duty Free Store at the Airport in San Jose. You will need your passport but they box it up and you can carry it out to your destination. Thanks again!
Ricky
Sammi says
You can wear shorts, no problem. It will be hot. Wear mosquito repellent!
Pamela Duncan says
We are touring around the country & doing some trips in La Fortuna – sky trek, ziplinning & sky bridge walk and also river boat tour. We are visiting in April. Is it ok to wear shorts to these trips or should long trekking type l trousers be worn. Thanks in advance. Your blog is fantastic.
Roxy says
Hi – any recommendations on the area around Las Catalinas? Groceries, restaurants, things to see?
Sammi says
Las Catalinas is still developing with lots of construction and is pretty small, the beaches are beautiful though but for the bigger supermarkets, I would go to the Maxi Pali/Mega Super in Villarreal. The restaurant at the Las Catalinas Casa Chameleon hotel is great.
Kim EVANS says
Is it safe to eat the produce? Do you have to wash it really well? I would be afraid at farmers markets that cats might pee on produce. Or they were washed in unclean water.
Sammi says
Yes it is, it is recommended to wash it before eating. At the farmer’s market, they generally do a good job of keeping it clean unless you’re in like a super rural remote area but you will need to wash it beforehand. I have not heard of anyone seeing cats pee on the produce to be honest…
Sammi says
Yes, everything is pretty expensive in Manuel Antonio due to how touristic it is. Quepos is a bit cheaper.
Erica says
Hi, headed to Manuel Antonio in a few months and have rented a villa. Will we be able to purchase liquor, beer & wine in regular grocery stores? Is it safe to drink the alcohol?
Sammi says
Yes, you can find liquor stores and buy alcohol in supermarkets.
Mara says
I’ve heard the groceries are really expensive in MA/Quepos. Is that true?
Brenda says
Yes. very expensive so factor that into your holiday. Bring your sunscreen ….and a lot of it. It’s very expensive and essential here.
Therese Johnson says
Hi, We are off to Costa Rica next month. I have read your tips and they are great.
My question is what kind of milk do they sell? I drink skim milk in Canada?? 🙂
Sammi says
They have 0% and skimmed milk here!
Lori Bennett says
Hi! Love your blog–it is so helpful! It has become our go-to source for our upcoming trip! My friends and I have rented an Airbnb for 3 months starting 1/21! We like our evening cocktails are wondering if it would make sense to buy hard liquor at the Duty free at the airport when we arrive? We are thinking about cost and availability! Thanks!
Sammi says
Duty free is cheaper, I believe the limit is 6 bottles per person (that’s what the lady told me last time I bought from duty free last year, it might even be 8) which is pretty good I would say!
Nisha says
Hello! We are coming back to CR, first visit to Tamarindo though! Which grocery store would you recommend for the best prices?
Thank you and pura vida!
Sammi says
For in Tamarindo town proper, Vindi is good quality. Super Pura Vida is another one. I don’t recommend SUper Compro, their quality is not good. The supermarkets in Tamarindo proper is more expensive so if you have a car, you can go to the Maxi Pali outside town on the road to Huacas for more and cheaper options.
Len says
Hi Sammi,
I have 5 hours to kill in Liberia airport. Are there grocery/stores nearby that I can buy Costa Rican goodies from to bring home?
Sammi says
Unfortunately not really, there isn’t anything at the airport, just the airport. Liberia city is about a 15 minute drive from the airport so you’ll need to taxi there.
Len says
Will I find places/stores in the Liberia City town proper? Maybe have a good lunch too. Any recommendations?
Sammi says
Liberia does have restaurants, shops, supermarkets, etc. We don’t really eat too much in Liberia but have gone a couple times to Marisquería Sabor Porteño.
Daisy Karasek says
Hi there,
Do any of these supermarkets deliver? We are arriving on Dec 24th and would like to have somethings ordered in advance.
Thanks.
Sammi says
I think I saw Auto Mercado does but not sure if it’s all their branches, it may only be in San Jose.
Jim says
Enjoy reading the blogs here and certainly is helping for our soon to be trip.
We will be staying in Potrero for our vacation and doing tours from there (some overnight).
how is the grocery shopping and stores for linens (towels, sheets)
we also love our fresh veggies and fruits
Sammi says
There are some small supermarkets in Potrero, there is a big Super Compro in Huacas or you can go to the Auto Mercado/Maxi Pali/Mega Super near Tamarindo.
rebecca pender says
looking for info regarding ….
** having a chef or caterer cook a traditional Costa Rica meal for 8 adults in our rental home.
**transportation for 8 adults – shuttle services, taxis, ( we will be staying near Jaco)
**tours and activities — beaches, hiking, zip lining
Sammi says
Hello Rebecca, we just sent you an email.
deb says
I recently saw on national news that Costa Rica has been added to the growing list of countries serving tainted alcohol. Was advised to get what you drink at duty free shop at airport. I was wondering if this is a concern in the common resort areas or more remote areas. Also, do you advise drinking only bottled water ?
Sammi says
Hi Deb, the tainted alcohol is what they call here “Guaro” and it’s super duper cheap booze (almost like moonshine) that are really unknown. They have already recalled the bottles, but they aren’t brands that resorts would serve. What I have heard is that sadly it has been all alcoholics or homeless people who have died drinking it because it’s that cheap. Stick to brands you know and/or duty free.
Annette says
Thanks for all this great information. Do the supermarkets in San Jose sell the freezable cold packs that you can put in a cooler? We are bringing a collapsible cooler with us and would like to buy some once we get there if possible. Thanks!
Sammi says
I am honestly not sure and I wouldn’t count on all the supermarkets. All of them sell ice but to be honest I haven’t seen the freezable cold packs.
Emily Armstrong says
Your blog is so helpful! Do you know if any grocery stores in San Jose do delivery (like instacart in the US)? Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Emily, I think auto Mercado does! And I have heard a market called Minys does as well.
Crystal says
Hi! We live in Samara. Do you know of a store in Liberia that sells just nuts? Someone told me about it but we don’t know where it’s at. Thank you!
Sammi says
Hi Crystal, honestly I don’t know of any, maybe try to ask in the Samara Facebook or Tamarindo chit chat FB groups.
Michelle says
We are going to Costa Rica on Tuesday and wanted to get snacks for the day trips. I’m assuming the brands will be unfamiliar. Do you have recommendations on snacks/brands that will seem familiar to kids from the US?
Sammi says
Hi Michelle, actually you can find a lot of US brands here for snacks. Lays, Doritos, Pringles, Cheetos, Wheat Thins, Snyder Pretzels. They’re just more expensive than the local ones but we actually have a lot of US brands in the supermarkets.
Elisa says
I am headed to uvita, costa rica in a week and i was wondering if you know if i can get Titos vodka in Costa Rica?
Sammi says
Honestly I don’t think so… maybe ask Mosaic Wine Bar, they work with a lot of wine and alcohols and may know!
Roxanne Devaney says
I’m glad I found your blog, it’s great and full of wonderful information. My Husband and I are going to be in Playa Flamingo for two months, leaving next week. We do have a friend there who will pick us up at the airport and take us shopping, etc. which is so helpful. We are going to rent a car when we want to explore. My husband is brining a travel scooter as he has a bad back. So I was thinking of buying a bicycle! And when we leave I’ll either donate it or sell it. Just wondering what my best options might be? Wondering if I order it from a big chain and have it delivered if that is even an option….any advice?
Sammi says
Hi Roxanne, in the Flamingo area, I would actually check on FB in like the Flamingo or Tamarindo Garage sales to see if anyone is selling a bike locally, since you’re here for 2 months you don’t need a brand new one (those are pretty expensive too) so you can see if anyone is selling a used one, but if you’d like a newer one, I am not positive if there is a bike shop in Flamingo but there is one in Villarreal. Or ask any of the tour operators around there to see if you can rent one for 2 months.
Nancy says
Great article/blog ! wish i had gotten it before going to Costa Rica in December over New Years. Our driver from the airport was to stop at a grocery store so we could pick up provisions and he took us to a Pali….it was awful !! so we ended up having to go to a little convenience store up the street during the week to keep picking up things during the day (which was pricey for sure !!) I will save this for next time and send on to anyone I know is heading to Costa !! thanks, I enjoy your blogs very much
Sammi says
Hi Hedda.
If you buy the big bottles of beer, the 750 ml bottles, you can return them to the store and trade it in. The cans they don’t take, but those big bottles they do. You can read about beer in this post here: Costa Rican beer
There are no shared shuttle options from the airport to Hermosa, and transportation options are limited for this route. A private shuttle is $50 for 1-4 people, taxis do tend to charge a bit more (around $60 and I’ve ever heard 65 which is ridiculous). There is a bus but it only runs like 3 times a day and it’s not a guarantee that it will go past the airport so the best option is private shuttle or taxi.
For hiring a driver to national parks, I’d book a full tour as it will include the roundtrip transportation, bilingual guide, meals, entrance fees and refreshments (depends on the tour). If you hire just a driver, the price will be pretty much like booking a tour but you will have to arrange everything yourself still. On a tour you’ll have a guide who takes care of everything and they’ll share information about the national parks, flora and fauna, etc.
If you need recommendations for the shuttle or booking tours, let me know as we work with companies in that area.
Hedda says
Hi Sammi,
I really like your blog. We’ll be in Playa Hermosa from Feb1-15. Several questions:
1. Grocery Stores – you don’t mention Luperon; it’s supposed to be cheaper than AutoMercado.
2. Beer – are there deposits on bottles and cans that you get back if you return the empties? (We drink a lot of beer.) Imperial a good brand – like a lager?
3. Transportation from LIR to our rented condo in Playa Hermosa. Shuttle prices are outrageous for a 20-minute ride for two people and taxis are said to be even higher. What do you recommend?
4. How would we go about hiring a driver to take us to a couple of the nearby National Parks?
Thanks a lot for any advice you can offer.
Hanne says
we will be in Escazu for 3 weeks starting next week – is there good food shopping there? We have a full kitchen so plan to eat at “home” some of the time
Sammi says
Hi Hanne, you can find everything in Escazu, supermarkets, local markets, everything!
Mary says
Escazu has one of the largest best Farmers markets in CR on Saturday right downtown by the main square. Amazing selection of fruits, veggies, cheese… there is also a Pali, and Auto Mercado, MazxMenos. We shopped at the little Chinese owned grocery stores on the main street also, and the local bakeries.
Sam says
Hi guys! We’re heading to Nosara after we fly into San Jose, and we’re wondering if it’s worth stopping in the city to buy the essentials – toilet paper, bread, etc.
Thanks!
Sam
Sammi says
Hi Sam, there are supermarkets in Nosara where you can buy essentials like that. Even though there isn’t a huge supermarket like the ones in San Jose, there are what we call “pulperias” and those are small markets with essentials plus snacks and some food.
Mary says
Hi Sammy,
Your blog has been so helpful in planning our trip. My family of 5 will be going to La Fortuna to start out our trip for a few days. We are planning to do a lot of hiking and exploring. I was hoping to stop by a grocery store after we pick up our car and pick up some items to keep in our room and pack in our day bags. Maybe even make some easy lunches. Which store would you recommend? Also is water always so expensive? What would you recommend to keep our Hydro Flasks full?
Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Mary! There are a lot of supermarkets in La Fortuna, each of them all carry the same thing pretty much. I wrote a small section about shopping in our guide here: La Fortuna
Water is always around those prices in all the supermarkets, my recommendation is that you can actually drink tap water in most places like the city (La Fortuna included) but if you have a sensitive stomach or don’t react well, we recommend purchasing the water filter tablets or a steripen which will sterilize water quickly and is super usefl.
yeison says
Hi Shawna, you can read about the four supermarkets in Coco in this post and the differences between them. We personally like Auto Mercado and Super Luperon as they are the biggest and cleanest with more selection. For car rentals, you have a lot of options whether you want to get the car from liberia Airport or to your place in Coco. We have a partnership with Adobe Rent a Car who offers free delivery to Playas del Coco and we offer up to 20% discounts and extra benefits for our readers. You can read more about renting a car in this post and get our discount here
Shawna Larade says
If flying into Liberia and driving to Coco Beach with a family of 6 (4 children and 2 adults) where to you suggest we grocery shop? Is it a good idea to bring things from Canada for the children in Costa Rica? What are car rental options like? Thank you for taking the time to create this blog. It is very helpful
Vicki L Smith-Jones says
Your blog has been extremely helpful in planning our trip to Costa Rica this week. I have clicked on a few links (World Nomad) and hope that they are working as they should for you. Your tips have definitely made our trip smoother and we have not even gotten on the plane (Seattle like you) yet!!
Thank you.
Sammi says
Hi Vicki! I’m so glad it’s been helpful and thanks for clicks 🙂 Yay Seattle! I just got back actually, had a very nice summer there!
Kathy says
Enjoy your blog. Lots of good information. Do any of the stores sell non alcoholic beer? If so is there a particularly good one?
Sammi says
Hi Kathy! They do, Imperial sells one and the can is black. I’ve tried it (I don’t drink) and it’s not bad. I’m not sure if they sell it at every single supermarket but we have found it in a few.
Marita says
Hello!
Are there any grocery stores in Costa Rica, specifically Limon, that makes home deliveries ? Do they have any apps to buy from?
Sammi says
Hi Marita, unfortunately we don’t have that yet in Costa Rica 🙁
Kevin says
We just returned from the Osa Peninsula and found there was a surprising number of vegetarian “fake meats” and similar items in the cooler and frozen sections at BM market. More surprising was the very high cost, but it was a break from the local foods and something familiar for the kids.
Laura says
Hey Sammi, I’m moving to San José to work at one of the international schools in July and I’m coming from 4 years China. I’m not willing to give up my staple items such as rice noodles, soy sauce and hoisin, so can you reccomend any Asian grocery stores in San José, or any shops you know carry Asian staple items? I’m from Toronto so I’ll have no trouble sourcing those things at home and bringing it in, but when I run out I would love to have some options to restock.
Sammi says
Hi Laura, you can find basics like soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, siracha, and some noodles (buckwheat soba, stir fry) at Auto Mercado and there is a big Asian supermarket in San Jose. Their Instagram name is dondelachinita. I forget the address but it’s not in “Chinatown” (there’s nothing there, just a big red gate). I live in Guanacaste so it’s a lot more difficult to find those items but in San Jose there are Asian markets.
Mindy Duke says
What’s the average cost of wine, boxed or bottles? Do most grocery stores sell it? We’ll in CR for 2 weeks in August, SJ, La Paz, La Fortuna, Monteverde & Quepos.
Love your blog and thanks for the great information!
Sammi says
You can find wine in most of the supermarkets. You can find Costa Rica box wine for like… $6 (not very good) and then if you want like, nice wines, you will need to go to a liquor store or to a higher end supermarket like AutoMercado but good wine is definitely not cheap. They have wine in all the nice restaurants and in the supermarket, a nice bottle of wine maybe at least $30 or so.
David says
Yes I have learned so much in your blog
Thanks so much very informative
Been to CR three years in a row now and will return again and again
Looking forward to the growth in the Coco area with the water making its way there
Sammi says
Hi David, thanks for reading our blog and glad it’s helpful!
Pauli says
Hello! My friend and I are so excited to go to Costa Rica and we’ve been reading all your blogs! So helpful! Just wondering, is wal-mart in Liberia not 24 hours? We are getting in late and wanted to pick up just a few things before we head to Tamarindo.
Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Pauli, the Walmart in Liberia closes at 10 PM. There are several supermarkets in Tamarindo but most of them close by 8-9 PM. There aren’t really any 24 hour supermarkets in Costa Rica.
SANDIE says
Hi..,really enjoying your blog and it is making me so excited about our trip to Costa Rica in two weeks time .. you have answered so many questions for usc. We are hiring a 4×4,and travelling to Arenal , Monteverde , Samara , Jaco , Uvita and Sierpe .. 16 day trip ! We will need a rest when we get home ( England ) best wishes , SANDIE
Sammi says
Hi Sandie, I hope you have a wonderful time in Costa Rica and glad you like the blog!
Rebecca Coutant says
Such a great post! I write a blog about Belize – Ambergris Caye in particular – and I must admit…I visit your site for ideas and inspiration. Plus…it’s just good reading! Thank you guys so much 🙂
Sammi says
Hi Rebecca! That’s awesome – I’ve always wanted to go to Belize (hopefully after I get my scuba diving certification). It looks gorgeous and everyone says the diving there is spectacular! I’ll check out your site for inspiration 😀