What are those important questions to ask before considering a move to Costa Rica?
What are those important questions to ask when considering a move to Costa Rica? Location? Schools? Climate? Hospitals? Prices? How about: Where in the world am I going to shop?
Grocery shopping is about as fun as laying down roofing. But if it’s not done, we’re going to suffer the consequences. Yesterday I was down to miso soup mix, chocolate chips, and vinegar in my cupboards. I put off that inevitable trip to the grocery store because I was too tired from a few restless nights with my son who I’ve decided either has the world’s longest cold or is allergic to the entire planet. Anyway….
I get asked a lot where do I shop for _________?? fill in the blank. Organic food, imported food (which means usually brands from the U.S. or Europe), meat….and on to other items such as clothes for kids, linen, caulk, sink strainers, laundry hoses, rugs, and socks. (I’m having trouble with that one myself since almost every kid in the country needs a certain color of socks to go with the uniform.) So, I’m starting a new section - find under Catergory - SHOPPING in COSTA RICA.
When I moved here ten years ago, I never walked into a “real” grocery store. In my travels around the country prior to my immigrating to Costa Rica, I stopped in pulperias - sodas - and didn’t know where I could find black olives, feta cheese, or those chocolate chips my daughter eats with every meal. I was so terrified I’d be without the basic products I’d grown so accustomed to, I even hauled down toilet paper, bathroom cleaner, and mops.* Fear no more! It’s almost all here. And over time, I’ve been lugging less back to Costa Rica in my suitcase when I make trips to visit the family back in the homeland.
The miso/chocolate/vinegar soup was not appealing, so I trudged on over to Auto Mercado. This is the store I choose the most often to shop. Why?
1). It’s close to my home.
2). It usually has the most variety of what I want, and it saves me running around time, which is invaluable for me as a single parent.
3). I save money in gas.
Since I live so close to an Auto Mercado it’s laughable that I drive, but I knew my load would be bigger than sixteen bread baskets so I parked and ran in during the hour Addison was at gym class. Once there, it’s not so bad. I focus and do short breathing exercises and then begin the ritual of walking up and down the isles while checking my list and trying to remember all the items I’ve forgotten on the list. Auto Mercado has more imported goods than most stores. If an item by item tough price comparison was done, Auto Mercado might be a bit higher on some things, especially the imported stuff. But I do not buy large quantities and believe I get the same or equal value to other stores.
I like their fruits and vegetables section. It’s laboriously attended to, clean, and even has a small organic section. The bread has improved a lot over the years in Costa Rica. When I first came here, it was heartbreaking to buy a loaf of bread, which looked fabulous in the store until I got home to find chunks of Numar (a widely used margarine) throughout the bread - whole and undissolved! There’s finally more varieties such as whole wheat, and I’ve even seen olive pesto bread.
And I kid you not: the clerks working at Auto Mercado are always nice and attend calmly and efficiently to their job. Not one person has ever cracked their gum and basically ignored that I was human being, not to mention a paying customer, while I’ve checked out. Of course there’s a few exceptions over the ten years of frequenting this store throughout the entire city of San Jose - San Pedro, Los Yoses, downtown San Jose, Rohmoser, Escazu, and Santa Ana - but I can always count on a buenos dias and gracias while I pay. And though I’ve never used the service, they deliver too. In a few days ago, I discovered they’re even making a little effort in “thinking green.”
So take comfort in knowing that most of your shopping needs will be met. If not in Auto Mercado, you can try Mas por Menos, Pricesmart, Pali, or Fresh Market. This is a boom town, and I have a feeling even more is on the way. And when all is unpacked and put in the cupboards I can move on to those other important things like getting that roof done.
*I still search for that perfect mop as I can not quite get used to washing out the mechas - white string like mop head - by hand like the Ticas do.
Mary Earhart on 24 Nov 2008 at 11:00 am #
I am really appreciating your practical tips. Learning to take the bus around Golfito was a big deal to us. I carried pillows back from the U.S. because I couldn’t find any, ditto for plastic coathangers! I did find an imported pillow in Puerta Jimenez later. We’d like to get a good juicer, or have one shipped to us, but don’t know how to do that. I love my lightweight labor-intensive tico washer and clothesline, tho! I’m sure you could do a whole column on suicide showers and cesspools too!
Susan on 26 Nov 2008 at 8:33 am #
I never thought I’d be so happy as to meet people on-line. It’s really great, especially to when I first came here. Oh, the story of how to get Internet back then….I am sounding old!!
Well, juicers…….you know, I ended up bringing my own. I wanted a special kind, did all the research and that. Now I think you can order like a $500 minimum or something like that from some of these mailbox places I mentioned like JetBox and there are others. If you fill out forms ahead of time, and really work with the company, in other words, bug them that it is coming, you might escape without tons of hassle and taxes.
I recently ordered a book set from a class I was taking and they were heavy. But it was the only way to ship and I ended up getting hit with taxes. Sometimes we just have to swallow and accept that since other things are cheaper, we have to pay a little extras for those modern things we like.
Also, if you come to San jose, or perhaps you can call, there is a cooking store called Tips. They are scattered throughout San Jose. They might have a better juicer. Cemaco might be the next choice.
Oh, and there’s this new thing called the Magic Bullet. I got it at Target. $54.00. Like a mini blender. Doesn’t do juice quality, but was easy to bring down and hey the price??!!