Strolling San Jose's Ten Best Shopping Spots and Walk Streets

Located just a short distance from San Jos� proper in San Pedro, this large shopping mall offers four stories of shopping diversions. A wide variety of boutiques, specialty shops, gift shops, clothing stores and department stores sell everything you'd hope to find in a mall, and then some. Additionally, a large movie theater, gaming arcades and two discos add to the fun of this lively establishment. A food court offers a number of different dining options, from International eats to fast food. This mall is popular with students from the nearby colleges, who flock to the arcades and food court after class.

Multiplaza Mall is located in Escaz� along the Santa Ana Highway, and it's a expansive, recently renovated mall with a large number of shops catering to a well-heeled set of Costa Ricans and tourists, who will find designer favorite storefronts such as Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Diesel, and even Oscar de la Renta, plus a surprisingly modern selection of up-and-coming but still upscale shops. Mall lovers can easily spend a leisurely morning perusing the goods of local department stores as well as international chain stores, and if that's not enough, there are two movie theaters, several nice restaurants and a large supermarket also contained within this sprawling complex.

The Mercado Nacional de Artesania is an outlet specifically designed for Costa Rican artisans with a big collection of shops that carry a lion's share of quality products all handcrafted within the country. Visitors to this shopping destination can expect to find an array of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, leather-work, wood-work, bead-work, jewelry and more, all made in Costa Rica. Imported items are also available in the store, but proceeds support the work of national artists. This place makes the perfect one-stop souvenir shopping experience, and you may even find a miniature handpainted ox-cart that you just can't live without.

J. Lang Atelier & Showroom in Escazu is a dream come true for handbag lovers in Costa Rica. Each piece is designed by Jennifer Lang, who draws her inspiration from the natural beauty of her new home. There are a variety of styles to choose from, including popular clutches and her MIO roll bag, with new designs in the works every season. Key elements of J. Lang's purses and accessories are bright colors and textured leather, and many come with a signature gold leaf zipper pull. These designer purses have been bought by celebrities, and they have been featured in fashion magazines such as In Style and Vogue.

The Souvenir Museum is a unique experience that lets visitors learn about sustainability while browsing and shopping a colorful, fairly-traded collection- all of which is hand made in Costa Rica. The Souvenir Museum is part of the emrging tourism sector that hopes to effect change through sustainable values and by raising awareness of environmental impact. During a free tour, visitors to the Souvenir Museum hear about the development of communities and the stories of local artists and artisans, and how the shop promotes research and strengthening of the sustainable lifestyle of its suppliers, considering the development of quality products from raw materials through packaging and shipping. Casual and conversational, the tour is family-friendly idea that aims to engage young travelers as well as their parents. Souvenir Museum Hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday. Sunday 9am to 5pm (November and December only).

Since 1880, the Central Market has been a staple shopping hub in San Jose, providing for a unique shopping experience in the country's capital city. Prices are relatively reasonable, and the goods are varied, with everything from fresh flowers and produce to clothing and smoke shops. Knick-knacks, souvenirs and t-shirts are also in-stock aplenty. The Mercado Central of San Jose is not just a commercial place but a part of the country's culture and history, people meet at the market to catch up and discuss current affairs, not only to shop. Look for one of the many entrances from the street into this labyrinth-structure, where one can easily spend hours browsing.

For all you cowboys and cowgirls in Costa Rica, Caballo Loco Boutique in San Jose, has everything you need except the horses- and those are just around the way. Started by a Canadian horse lover who discovered a need for equestrian gear in her new home, Caballo Loco is filled to the brim with cowboys hats, chaps, bolo-ties, horse-printed clothing and gifts, plus so much more. In the air-conditioned boutique near Ciudad Colon in the west part of the city, stop by for your fix of all things equestrian, and you'll probably come out looking like a true sabonera (that's Costa Rican for cowgirl).

Located in the Hotel Don Carlos, this old-fashioned specialty shop has earned a reputation for carrying select handmade in Costa Rica goods that can't be found elsewhere, including jewelry, gifts, specialty clothes, paintings, books, figurines, leather goods, crafts and souvenirs. There are hundreds of items on display in the store here, with a nice variety to choose from., and once could spend plenty of time getting lost browsing the aisles. The hotel's lobby d�cor is a homage to old Costa Rica, complete with an antique phonograph, a carved wooden statue of an old coffee rancher, and artwork depicting the beautiful countryside.

Tucked into a small storefront on a side street in downtown San Jose is Galer�a Namu, where all items in the shop are handmade by talented artists and fairly traded, which means that each purchase directly supports indigenous artists and encourages them to continue creating. Within a cozy space a stone's throw from the Jade Musuem, the gallery offers a wide variety of tribal art collectibles and hand- crafted items such as masks, tagua, (intricately carved vegetable ivory) and pre-Columbian pottery, woven baskets, and paintings. Museum quality goods are available at affordable prices, making Galer�a Namu an ideal site for souvenir shopping, home decor, and special occasion gifts.

A bustling pedestrian walk street, the city's Avenida Central is the ideal place for strolling, whether you're there to shop or not. Small cafes and a few fast food chains help keep your stomach from growling as you browse, while a newer two-story food court on one end of the Avenue can be a good place to rest your feet,refuel and people watch. Several department stores are located along this local favorite shopping strip, including the La Gloria and Universal stores. There are several permanent art installments throughout the Avenida, in addition to the murals that decorate many side streets.