The Golfito Free Trade Zone is ideal for duty free shopping where both locals and foreigners are attracted by its variety of products and good prices.

Here is the way that this place works, schedules and other details that can benefit anyone of you if you are interested in shopping in this place.

To start shopping you must get the TAC (Authorization Card Purchases) the day before the purchase itself which you get in the office near the entrance inside the warehouse.

It’s free and it is obtained by just present your ID card. With this TAC you have the right to buy $ 1,000 per person 2 times a year, you can also attach your TAC to a family member if you wish to shop bigger. (You can not bind more than two TAC).

Schedule of this office:

  • Monday from 1 pm – 8 pm.
  • Tuesday to Saturday 8 am – 8 pm
  • Closed Sundays this.

Schedule of Stores and Parking:

  • Monday is Closed
  • Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 pm
  • Wednesday – Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 pm
  • Sunday 7 am – 3 pm

IMPORTANT NOTE

There are many people within the warehouse offering these TAC for a good price and with which you can buy on the day of your arrival. (These TAC are those leftover balance of previous customers or other persons who are engaged in this activity) This does not guarantee us a safe buy.

I personally do NOT recommend buying this TAC (get your own at the office, legally and free). The purchase itself is a bit complex to be more complicated with these people. Purchases are made and retire personally and always presenting your ID card. So do the math.

There are more or less about 50 shops, all tax free, where you can find a variety of products such as appliances, cosmetics, liquor, car accessories, tools of all kinds, clothing and much more.

In the event that your purchases are very large and you need transportation, there are three companies authorized by the warehouse, the names of these companies can be seen in the first picture, or for more and better information call Tel 2775 0515.

The way that the purchase works is as follows:

    1. Once you have obtained your TAC (Authorization Card Shopping) you go to the stores, see and compare “Price-Quality”, and then make your purchase section.
    2. The next day go to the store where you made your section, bill, pay and collect your products, and so on from store to store until completing your shopping list.

“In this process you may need a helper to load all your purchases, especially if they are large products. It is always advisable that you go with a relative to take care your things and also to help you collect.

There authorized person within the warehouse that are dedicated to provide these services and going with you from store to store and ultimately deliver your purchases to the exit. But be careful with it. Be sure to ask before the cost of their services of each helper “.

Finally once you have collected all your purchases and already in the exit, you must present your ID card and your TAC with copies of your receipts attached it to the security officers. And that would be all the process.

About accommodations, there are several hotels just a few minutes outside of the warehouse , it all depends on your budget and the availability of those places.

On the last two occasions, we stayed at the Samoa Del Sur Hotel. Good price, good service, rooms are spacious, clean, with cable TV, air conditioning, 2 queen beds, pool and parking available.

Additional Information.

For those who want to go, see and buy in Paso Canoas.

In my personal opinion, I simply do not recommend it. The trip is 32 miles from the gas station located on the main road before heading to the warehouse.

Once you are there EVERYTHING is a chaos. The street filled with trucks (trailer), buses, taxis and private vehicles, the road in very poor condition and at the entrance of the stores is like being in a flea market, dirty and messy.

I think that it has a better presence the Central Market in San Jose… In its surroundings there are several duty free shops yes, but it’s very limited the amount of purchase. I saw no more than a single parking. And all this without mentioning the filing process at Customs.

If you already decided to go shopping at Deposito Libre De Golfito, I can only wish you a Happy Journey and Happy Shopping. The truth is that the trip is worth it, considering that everything you find there will cost you 50% less than in San Jose or wherever you live.

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There is one comment:

  • Marita Palavicini at 5:55 pm

    How can I find out price of home appliances? I am planning on moving to Costa Rica later this year and want to know if you know of any websites for the duty free shops where I can look at products and pricing. Thank you.

    Reply

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