Leaving Tomorrow! Any thoughts on what to buy in Costa Rica?
 

Hey guys... you have all been so helpful. Any suggestions as to what things to bring home from Costa Rica. Any things that you really think I should buy? Things that you wish you had.. or were happy that you did?

I will be in Arenal and in The Osa...1st and Last nights in San Jose.

I will write a trip report when I get back!

So excited to go.
Thanks for everything!

Gayle

Coffee!!

Lizano Sauce.

What is Lizano Sauce?

A beautiful hand-carved wooden bowl. If you want something big, my husband bought me one of those CR rocking chairs and had it shipped here for my b-day; every time I see either of these things, I think of CR.

Lizano Sauce is the sauce they have sitting out on the table like we have ketchup sitting out - it's kind of addictive! It's good on the rice and beans. We bought coffee too.

Any five gifts
one each for :

Volcanogirl

hipvirgochick

tully

shillmac

and of course most important..one for me!

Have a good time

Thanks!!!

Nothing specific?

Nope !!

I am easy to please... a pound of coffee will do !

I know volcanogirl will probably want booze ! :)

Percy, you know me so well! Sign me up for a case of Imperial! ((B)) Cheers!

gchizz1

If you can swing it , bring volcanogirl a keg. :)

gchizz1 , I am not angry you are going to Costa Rica.....jealous maybe but not angry !!! :)

I think it is time for I-)

Coffee and Cuban cigars

Lizano is the Tico answer to HP or Worchershire sauce. The flavor is amazing. It's excellent. It comes in small and large sizes.
use it in stews, soups, egg dishes, etc.

Agree, coffee, coffee, coffee--makes great gifts. Buy it at a supermarket and save $$. OR wait until you get home and order from Cafe Britt.

I just took them up on a really good limited time e-mail offer with free shipping and 20% off. Ordered a case (20 bags) and it came to about $5.50 per bag. Even the best price I've found in CR is about $6-7 per bag.

Those little Cafe Britt chocolates make good gifts as well. Chocolate covered passion fruit, pineapple, guayaba, macadamia nuts, coffee beans, etc.

Some people like to buy hammocks there; nice if you have a place for them and want to hassle with them through the airport.

In certain areas, you'll find nice pottery as well. Agree the wooden bowls are a great idea. You can do so much with them (flowers, candles, etc), not to mention food!

Percy, you've gotten in enough trouble for one day--go get some rest!

And I always stock up on packages of Little Chickies (look in the cookie section!).

Oops, forgot to say most important of all--HAVE A GREAT TIME! :)

Percy!!!!
Nothing for me?????
(faithie)
Your fellow Canuck, lol!

He's a fickle fellow. . .

faithie, we can share my Imperial. :)

In one of the gift shops, I found nativity scenes made inside bamboo.

The bamboo was about 6" long and was split in the middle longwise. It was painted with orchids or other flowers on the outside and on the inside had a nativity scene and celebration. It was hinged with small leather straps.

It is really nice, easy to transport, and everyone who sees it wants it. I am returning in March and hope I can find more of these.

I also found a tiny nativity scene made in a walnut shell. Can you tell I collect miniature nativities?

I live in Texas and we have a large Latin American population so we have no problems finding the Lizano sauce . . . plus, it's a liquid and is heavy to bring back.

Just my 2-cents worth but there is better coffee in CR than Cafe Britt . . . just go to the grocery store and ask a local.

Have a great trip and we'll be sitting here awaiting a report.

Buen viaje,
Sandy (in Denton)

I also bought a pretty blue tile tray that is handpainted with CR frogs, monkeys, etc. I love it. We found nice gift shops all around, but surprisingly the best one we saw was the Blue Morpho one in the SJO airport.