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Galeria Namu Review

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Galería Namu

Address: Avda. 7, Cs. 5-7, behind Aurola Holiday Inn, Barrio Amón, San José
Phone: 256-3412
www.galerianamu.com

Category: Crafts
Location: San José

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5

Fodor's Review:

Downtown San José's must-stop shop is Galería Namu, which sells Costa Rican folkloric art and the best indigenous crafts in town. Its inventory brims with colorful creations by the Guaymí, Boruca, Bribri, Chorotega, Huetar, and Maleku peoples—all Costa Rican indigenous groups. You can also find exquisitely carved ivory-nut "Tagua" figurines and baskets made by Wounan Indians from Panama's Darién region. Take note of carved balsa masks, woven cotton blankets, and hand-painted ceramics. The store looks expensive when you first walk in—and indeed, the sky is the limit in prices—but if your budget is not so flush, say so: the good folks here can help you find something in the $10-$20 range that will make a more cherished souvenir of your trip than a Pura Vida T-shirt. And as an added bonus you'll get an information sheet describing your work's creator and art style. Namu has a reputation for fair prices for customers, and for fair pay to artists or artisans.

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by clarkycheerful from Seattle, Washington on 7/8/09
Our family's visit to Namu was, in some ways, the highlight of our brief time in San Jose. It's as much a museum as an art gallery, and the staff are as interested in telling you about the art works -- particularly the hand-crafted pieces by Costa Rican indigenous groups -- as they are in selling them. Some of the pieces are downright astonishing (the basket work is simply spectacular), and there's plenty in the store to fit any budget.

If you're looking for a memento of Costa Rica, but want more than a souvenir, Galeria Namu is the place to go.

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Overall: 5.0

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