3 Best Places to Shop in Manuel Antonio and the Central Pacific Coast, Costa Rica

This appealing store is a showplace for paintings, drawings, bags, clothing, pottery, woodwork, coffee, and jewelry by area artists.

Named for the tropical hardwood of the cocobolo tree, this large shop is jam-packed with wooden handicrafts hanging from the ceiling, walls, and shelves. It's much of what you find in other stores, but with more tasteful items and a richer variety. In addition to wood carvings, they sell clothing, hammocks, jewelry, and locally made crafts.

For locally grown coffee and reasonably priced artisan crafts—including Boruca masks—this place offers the best shopping in Jacó. They serve marvelous iced coffees, natural iced teas, and fresh-roasted coffee. Be sure to try a sample of their chocolate, pineapple licorice, and "Fruity Monkey Poop" (actually just candied nuts).