Does SJO have stores open after 8:00 pm that sell sunscreen?
 

This sounds like a really dumb question. But, we are four very fair skinned people. We arrive SJO around 7pm and leave early the next morning for the Osa. We do not check luggage.

We normally use 30 and 50 spf sunscreen. But, with the restrictions for liquid in carry ons I don't think I can take enough sunscreen to even get us through the first part of our trip.

So, will we find a store with 30 or 50 spf sunscreen in airport open after 8pm?

The stores in the airport have a very low selection of very marked-up sunscreen, but I don't know when the stores close. There is a supermarket/pharmacy located in Alajuela on the road where many of the rental car companies (and the Denny's) are located. I think it is open until 9 p.m., and they'll have sunscreen. Also, in America you can buy little bottles of sunscreen that can be carried onto the airplane and at least get you through Day 1. I'm sure there are places in the Osa that sell bigger bottles -- look for pharmacies or markets to get the widest selection at the fairest price.

So smart to be careful about the sun. Do you have space to pack enough for the 1st few days in case the airport doesn't have something open late or your flight is delayed? Also, any liquids or gels you buy after security in a US airport you can carry on. Maybe you can find a shop with sunblock before you fly out of the US (though it will probably be spendy).

We have learned from reading and experience that not all sunblocks are created equal; in fact, there's a HUGE difference in staying power and efficacy. I'm planning to use a lot of my meager liquid/gel carryon allowance for great quality sunblock and bug stuff and will buy shampoo, etc. once I get there (Guatemala for me).

Have a great trip and please tell us all when you get home. Happy trails!

wego

Each of you are allowed 1 qt sized zip bag for your liquids/pastes/gels in 3oz sizes. I just purchased empty 3oz bottles at Walmart that I will fill with 30spf sunscreen from the larger bottles. One person can put all the sunscreen in their zip lock (which holds 6 bottles) and you can share shampoos etc between the other 3 bags.

I don't know for sure, but the Mas x Menos, which is only a couple blocks from the airport, I would think would still be open.

The Mas x Menos supermarket stays open until midnight, Mon.-Sat., and until 9 p.m. on Sunday. I don't know how big their selection of sunscreen is, however.

They have a fair selection--that's where we bought ours, about 45 SPF for my fair-skinned husband, Nivea brand. We left the bottle in Costa Rica, so I can't remember the cost, though.

We purchased sunscreen while on the Osa (we used up all our 4oz bottles). It was $14 US in the little super market!! I do not know what size it was since it was taken away in th Panama airport.

There is a little gift shop right by the "airport" in Puerto Jimenez and there is also a grocery store about 1 block away. It will probably be higher$ than buying it out of the country but you should be able to find some.

Where are you staying? Some of the better lodges do have small gift shops that carry a small selection of necessities. You could contact your lodge to see if they carry something that you can use. If not, possibly their driver or a taxi driver can take you into one of the shops in town if it is Puerto Jimenez.

If it is Drake Bay, there aren't many choices. There was one little Pulpuria there when I went a few years ago.

Agree that Mas x Menos is a good place to pick up sunscreen. Just up the road toward Alajuela (up the road west from Denny's/Fiesta Casino/Hampton Inn/Rosti Pollo, etc. On your left. We bought ours there. Excellent selection. Repellent also. You'll find the repellent over in the pesticide area. Sunscreen wasn't cheap. I think our large bottles of 45 were about $7 each. We bought 3 for 3 different family groups. I left it at Hotel Villa Bonita for us to use this summer. Feel free to stop by there and pick on up! ;)

Do they sell unscented, sensitive skin friendly sunscreens? Our favorite is No-Ad, we tend to by 30-50 spf.

I don't remember what brands were available. Actually, friends there picked our sunscreen up for us before we arrived. I have looked at it here and there, though, traveling about the country. Can't remember specifically about No-Ad, but I think you'll be surprised at all of the usual brands you'll see--the ones you find in any drugstore here in the states. There are a LOT of farmacias and they usually carry a good variety as well.

While there are never any guarantees on what you'll find in the supermarkets in CR :), No-Ad is probably the brand I found to be the most readily available. I don't think it will be a problem.

Thank you CRchica,- thats good to know