La Feria de la Costa Rica - See You at the Weekly Farmer's Market
Recognized for its natural beauty, the tourism Mecca of Central America used to be known principally as a producer of bananas and coffee. Although Costa Rica has transitioned to an economy based more on tourism income and manufacturing exports ... agriculture still accounts for almost 9% of Costa Rica's gross national product (GDP).
Its tropical climate, rich soil and abundant rainfall still fills grocery shelves worldwide with Costa Rica coffee, bananas, sugar, pineapples, vegetables, fruits, melons, corn, rice, beans, potatoes, diary products, beef and ornamental plants.
Although every day is market day in Costa Rica; where established stores, fruit stands and even road-side car trunks sell fruits and vegetables ... weekends in Costa Rica means it's time for "La Feria" or the farmer's market. In most larger towns, local farmers are provided a central area to set-up stands and sell their products.
Our local La Feria is on Sundays from sometime in the morning (we never get there that early) until about 1:00 pm. We see everybody from our neighbors to local restaurant owners/managers stocking up on their weekly supplies.
In Coronado, the Centro Agricola parking lot and adjacent street are closed off the night before allowing for set-up. Clean-up begins promptly after the farmers market is closed.
It is a tradition that is well organized. You can't get fresher food and the cost savings over store prices definitely make the crowds worth navigating.
Green Beans / Vainicas = 500 colones ($0.90 USD)
Broccoli / Brócoli = 800 colones ($1.43)
Bananas / Bananos
= 400 colones ($0.72)
Potatoes / Papas = 1.200 colones ($2.15)
Carrots / Zanahorias = 300
colones ($0.54)
Black Berries / Moras = 1.000 colones ($1.79)
Tangerines / Mandarinas = 200 colones
($0.36)
Junior's Coconut / Pipa = 150 colones ($.027)
See you at La Feria otro semana!
For more La Feria pictures, goto: tinyurl.com/CostaRicaLaFeria
Categories: Ecotourism in Costa Rica, Shopping in Costa Rica, Culture in Costa Rica, Living in Costa Rica, Life in Costa Rica, Cost of Consumer Goods in Costa Rica, Fincas in Costa Rica, Pictures of Costa Rica, Cost of Living in Costa Rica, Money in Costa Rica, Kids in Costa Rica, Stores in Costa Rica, Farms in Costa Rica
Hi
Can you tell me if it is true that Mastercard is not widely accepted. I will be coming to Costa Rica in April and I have a credit card with Mastercard.
What would you suggest I pay in colones when on the trip vs using the credit card if I want the most of my money?
Thanks if you can help.
Allison
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Hello Allison,
The credit/debit card or “tarjeta” of choice in Costa Rica is Visa. However, most major merchants and banks will accept MasterCard as well.
For more information on traveling with credit cards and money in Costa Rica, please review my blog post titled “Costa Rica Banking … Because Money Matters”. Within this blog entry is a section titled: “Traveling with Money in Costa Rica” that you may find helpful.
Be sure to let me know if you have any further questions and enjoy your visit!
-Bill
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Your blog and your amazing wealth of info, detail, care and sharing is a life saver!!! Thak you sooooo much. Makes things less daunting for a single mom panning to relocate.
All the very best to you...and PURA VIDA!
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GOOD EVENING BILL, I AM A U.S. BUSINESSMAN INVOLVED WITH AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. AM LOOKING TO MEET POTENTIAL BUSINESS PARTNERS IN COSTA RICA TO GROW FRESH CORN FOR ME TO EXPORT. WHAT DO YOU DO AS A PROFESSION AND COULD YOU HELP ME MEET SUCH FARMERS? RICHARD
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Richard,
I have no such resources and coming from DeKalb, Illinois (ie: corn country - home of DeKalb Seeds) I can tell you I am not impressed with the Costa Rica sweet corn.
Perhaps you could check with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) near my home in Coronado, San José, Costa Rica. Their web address is www.iica.ac.cr
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It's the 4th of July, 2010 - one year and four months after this original post about our weekly farmer's market or "la feria" here in Costa Rica.
First of all, H a p p y I n d e p e n d e n c e D a y to my native United States of America
Secondly, I thought I would share a picture of today's food items purchased at 'la feria' with an updated cost for those interested in how much food you get for the money:
Total cost: $11.76
Now it's time to make something from all this produce. I'm thinking a batch of chicken soup and maybe some fresh guacamole for snacking ... we'll see
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