Terri

Hi,<BR><BR>Has anyone ever purchased one of the rocking chairs that you find in Sarchi....if so, do you remember how much they cost and if the market vendors accept credit cards. Also, if we do purchase one, is it better to mail it back to the States (don't know anything about CR's postal system?) or try to take it as luggage on the plane (I think it's collapsible?)<BR><BR>Terri T

parrot mom

While on our trip there somebody purchased a large cart to be used as a bar and was having it shipped to Las Vegas..I think it wass duty free

Tess

I can't recall the name of the store that we stopped at --- it had alot of merchandise and a HUGE orange oxcart wheel out front; anyhow, they were very nice and offered to ship any of the large items back to the US. I didn't buy any of their rocking chairs, however, if I do decide to buy one the next time I'm in CR, then that's the place that I'd go to. I'd much rather take my chances with CR postal system, than trying to haul one of those chairs on the plane.<BR>

ParrotMom

Probably the same shop...lol Many years ago bought a rocking chair in the D.R. It came in pieces and we took it on the plane.. I doubt if you could do it now.. Oh yes...I probably have pictures of that exact cart.

leslie

We purchased an oxcart from the artisan's cooperative and took it on the airplane (post 9/11). It came in pieces and we had to reassemble it in the states. We had no problem getting it on the plane or through customs. Reassembling it was easy also.<BR><BR>If I remember correctly, the artisan's cooperative is at one end of town and the store with the big wheel out front is at the other end.

Wanna

Are the prices better at the co-operative? Do we bargain there?

Terri

That's good to know that either shipping or taking it on the plane is an option....guess we'll decide based on whether we buy it at the beginning of our trip or near the end.<BR><BR>

leslie

My wife, Bargain Betty, bargains everywhere; however, she was unsuccessful at the cooperative. She purchased the oxcart at the cooperative because she felt that the selection was better. Rocking chairs may be a different matter. Also, the bagged coffee, which you can purchase at a supermarket, makes a great gift. <BR><BR>There is an area in the city of San Jose that has wonderful crafts and good prices, but I cannot think of it's name. We took a 15 minute local public bus from downtown to reach it. Many tour buses visit this area and hopefully someone on the forum can think of the name.

lesle

The shopping area in San Jose is called Moravia.

parrot mom

When you buy coffee ground or the beans make sure it's &quot;puro&quot;.it comes with sugar.Also coffee liquer is a good gift.

Tia

You really have to watch the coffee because LOTS of it has added sugar. It's still good coffee, but personally I can do without the sugar. My hubby seemed to enjoy the sugared coffee more than the non sugared. We have just a smidge of coffee left and are savoring it just for special occasions. People we brought coffee back for are still raving about how good it was. It was so incredibly cheap, too, however the best deals are at the super markets. I wish we would've gotten more!!!! Next time!!!!! I bought a wooden puzzle of a squirrel (love squirrels) that is painted bright colors. It's really neat. Wish I would've done more shopping while I was there. We never really found a true market where they sold local pieces. I guess we'll just have to go back! What a wonderful place. I have a picture of Arenal that I took in La Fortuna with the church and volcano in the background. It's really cool. Anyway, I put it as my back drop on my computer and admire it daily. Makes me feel like I'm there. All my co-workers who come into my office can't believe I actually took the picture and saw such an awsome sight!!

parrot mom

Yes,the coffee is wonderful..last time we went bought ten pounds in the supermarket..I also have a large plastic bag that I made my husband put it in so it didn't smell up the luggage.. Deep in my freezer is a hidden package of beans...it does keep. The secret is at the airport and gift shops it's overpriced and at the supermarket you just know your buying fresh coffee.and somuch cheaper. At the airport in Liberia we took a picture of the volcano spewing out steam.

LT

We bought one of those chairs. We went to about 6 different places and found the best price at a small shop that sold only furniture. The souvenir shops tend to be more expensive. We haggled and bought ours for $80. I believe the other shops were selling them for $100-$125. We paid using a credit card but you get a tiny discount if you use cash. <BR><BR>What is funny is that the merchant didn't have any chairs in stock so she ask us to drive her to the place where they made the chairs. She closed up the shop and we drove about 2 miles and actually went to the shop where they made these chairs. They had hundreds of chairs at the shop. <BR><BR>We had no problems taking the box on the plane and assembling the chair at home. <BR><BR>We were visiting relatives in Del Mar, CA and saw one of the same chairs being sold for $350. We were quite happy we bought it for much less.

Terri

Hi,<BR>Just returned from CR and we did go to Sarchi (the drive there was gorgeous!) and bought a rocking chair.<BR><BR>Looks like we had a similar experience to you, LT. We went to the Co-op and they were asking around $100. Then we found a small shop with furniture and they sold the chair for $70. In fact, we liked it better than the co-op chair...the wood was stained darker than the others and the leather was darker, which matches some of our other things much better than the lighter colored leather.<BR><BR>And, like other posters, we bought the coffee too (for ourselves and for friends.) Wish we had bought more, though!