We love going to the fruit market in Santa Ana centro on Sundays. It has so many of the elements that we came to experience in Costa Rica.

We start off by drinking “agua de pipa” with my family and then start loading our cart with fresh cheap local produce.

We specifically buy local as even in our bountiful country Mexico still imports avocados and China sends garlic by the boat load.

I buy my Haas avocados from growers who come from the Los Santos region… These guys also grow blackberries, apples, passion fruit and other cooler temperature crops.

The region of Cartago grows potatoes and carrots and Guanacaste and Orotina grow mangos. You can learn a lot about varieties when you see and speak with your favorite vendors week after week.

Other favorites include fresh carrot and orange juice, German sausages, strawberries, and some rare exotics like caimito, or mangosteen.

In order to really enjoy the experience and be able to carry everything it’s best if have your own shopping cart. We bought our cart at the giant EPA store and fill it up every week.

It’s a good idea to bring small bills and buy from vendors with prices marked on cards…

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.