Mercado Central (Central Market), San Jose

Mercado Central (Central Market), San Jose (must see)

The Central Market buzzes with activity in the heart of San Jos茅, occupying an entire city block and serving as a cornerstone of local life since 1880. Narrow aisles are packed with stalls offering a dizzying variety of goods, from fresh fish and fragrant flowers to local breads, fruits, vegetables, and the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee. Add a local beer, and a full Costa Rican meal can be assembled from the market鈥檚 bounty.

Souvenir hunters gravitate toward the famous Costa Rican coffee beans鈥攚hole beans are best, as the pre-ground version tends to be too fine for most home coffee makers. Beyond ingredients to take home, the market also offers prepared local dishes for those eager to sample traditional flavors on the spot.

Open daily from dawn to dusk, the Central Market is as much an experience as a shopping destination. Its labyrinthine layout means it鈥檚 easy to wander far from the entrance, so a map of the surrounding area comes in handy when navigating the bustling, vibrant corridors.

Tip:
Give the traditional ice cream flavor a try! Otherwise, eat where you see the most locals, as they know where the best foods are.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Jose. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Mercado Central (Central Market)
Sight Location: San Jose, Costa Rica (See walking tours in San Jose)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in San Jose, Costa Rica

Create Your Own Walk in San Jose

Creating your own self-guided walk in San Jose is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

San Jose Introduction Walking Tour

Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno, former president of Costa Rica, once said: 鈥淪an Jose is the heart of Costa Rica, where the pulse of the nation beats.鈥�

San Jose, Costa Rica's capital, has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The city's origins are tied to the country鈥檚 shift toward independence and urban development. Before becoming the capital, Costa Rica鈥檚 main... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles

Historical Buildings Tour

What's known today as San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, came into being as a small settlement during the Spanish invasion, circa the mid-16th century. From a town of little importance, San Jose eventually evolved into a densely-populated cosmopolitan city, built mostly with proceeds from coffee trade.

The historic architecture of San Jose is a mix of European and Latin American styles... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles

Shopping and Food Walking Tour

Walking the pedestrian-friendly promenades of Costa Rica's capital 鈥� San Jose 鈥� is a great way to experience the local culture. Despite an occasional rainstorm, the country's tropical weather makes outdoor shopping an undeniably fun experience. The downtown part of San Jose has no shortage of department stores, traditional marketplaces and souvenir shops selling handcrafts.

The... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

17 Uniquely Costa Rican Things to Buy in San Jose

Not to be confused with San Jose, the sunny California, San Jose, Costa Rica is the capital city of a wet (250 centimeters of rainfall per year) and colorful Latin American country renowned for its diverse craftsmanship (courtesy of the numerous indigenous tribes), splendid coffee and rich cultural...

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