You can find American brands and foreign brands and they are more expensive Then there are the middle-high range supermarkets like Mega Super, Super Compro, Perimercados, BM and Mas X Menos which have pretty much everything and are usually fairly clean. Many Maxi Palis also have their own pharmacy inside the market. Maxi Pali, the bigger version of Pali is a full service supermarket with clothes, home goods, electronics, food, pet supplies, OTC medicines and cleaning supplies. The few times we have been to a Pali were not very pleasant, as they were messy and the workers were very slow. Pali, a budget supermarket is a small and basic market. They have a sister market called Vindi which is a smaller version. Their prices are normally a little bit more expensive in touristic areas such as Herradura, Tamarindo and Playas del Coco. They also have conveyor belts, air conditioning and misting machines, a few things that are not super common in other grocery stores in Costa Rica. Whenever I need to do a big shopping trip, I normally have to visit at least two different markets to get everything I need.įor example, Auto Mercado, a Costa Rican owned store is well known for being a high end supermarket with higher quality items, a bigger range of foreign products and a wide selection of high quality produce. Not all supermarkets have the same quality, carry the same items or have the same pricesĭespite the many supermarkets and grocery stores in Costa Rica, not all of them carry the same items, have the same quality or have the same prices. Read more about tourist scams in Costa Rica to stay safe. Some may try to pull an exchange rate of 500 to 1 which will make you lose out. Tourist tip: If you are at a smaller market, always ask for the exchange rate and calculate your change before you leave if you pay in cash. The exchange rate is around 540 to 1 USD but it changes daily. The supermarket should have the exchange rate posted somewhere near the register so you know which rate they use. However, something important to know is that the exchange rate fluctuates daily. Since the supermarkets give you your change back in local currency, this is a good way to get Costa Rican colones without having to make a trip to the bank. If you pay in USD, they will use the exchange rate of the day and give you your change back in local currency, Costa Rican colones. Read more about handling money and Costa Rican currency here. For the small local owned mini markets, it is best to pay with credit card (Visa is the most widely accepted) or Costa Rican colones. Likewise, you can pay with credit card (Visa/Mastercard/AMEX). Most full size grocery stores in Costa Rica take both USD and Costa Rica colones. Most grocery stores take USD and Costa Rican colones Some of them have a hot food counter with hot dogs, a coffee machine and pastries. Nearly all gas stations have their own convenience store with snacks and basics. However we do have Walmart and they bought out several chains: Mas x Menos, Maxi Pali and Pali. Supermarkets are locally owned in Costa Rica. Then they have pulperias, abastecedores and mini supers which are like mini grocery stores/convenience stores with basic items, snacks, some home and personal goods and a small produce section. In Costa Rica, there are full supermarkets that have a variety of fresh produce, meat counter, home goods, a deli, frozen food section, bakery, alcohol, etc. What You Need to Know About Grocery Stores in Costa Rica Costa Rica has full service markets, mini markets and convenience stores Visiting grocery stores in Costa Rica is also a great way to see the cost of living if you are thinking about moving to the country. However, there are a few things to know before you grab a shopping cart which you can read in this post to help you navigate getting groceries in Costa Rica. Wherever you are in the country, there will be a supermarket, mini market or convenience store where you will be visiting. Costa Rica has a range of supermarkets which you can find nearly everything you need.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |