Imported alcoholic and soft drinks are widely available. Coffee is good value and has an excellent flavour. San Jos especially has many nightclubs, venues with folk music and dance, theatres and cinemas. Local markets are also well worth visiting.
Prices are slightly higher than in other Latin American countries.
Best buys are wooden items, ceramics, jewellery and leather handicrafts. Feb-Mar Orchid Show , Cartago. Aug Arrival of Pilgrims , Cartago. Handshaking is common and forms of address are important. Christian names are preceded by Don for a man and Do a for a woman.