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Costa Rica San Jose Page 03
City Market Area (Mercado), Bakery, Shops
Costa Rica San Jose Page 03: I came to the city market area (mercado) as part of a half day city tour that included stops at the cathedral and the teatro. The short time alloted to covering a wide area didn't allow time to stop and shop. Some locals told me I could easily take a city bus from my hotel to the main bus terminal, and follow the crowds to walk the market area. Other locals, mostly expats from North America living in Costa Rica, told me emphatically not to go alone.
So my view of the City Market area was through the minibus window. If you speak Spanish or can tour with someone who does, and if you try not to look like a tourist, and if you use caution to avert pick pockets and those practicing the oldest profession, and if you are not a woman traveling alone, you could likely tour the San Jose city market area on your own.
San Jose City Market Area ~ Mercado Traffic on a Friday Afternoon
This street is at the edge of the pedestrian market area, so there is the added challenge of vehicle traffic as well as crowded sidewalks.
This being a payday Friday (most Costa Ricans get paid every two weeks), the streets were especially crowded around 5 p.m.
(I intentionally blurred the face of the man in the middle.)
Shop Clerk on Market street San Jose Costa Rica
The mid-afternoon sun was a little too much for shop patrons, and this clerk came out to adjust the blinds.
With slow moving rush hour traffic, all of us on the tour bus had a good vantage point to people watch in safety and comfort.
Goods for sale included Tshirts, sunglasses, fashion outlets, and jewelry.
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Afternoon Sun Highlights Hotel for Sale near Central Market San Jose CR 
As we made our way out of the market area, we came to a lonely, quiet neighbourhood, and stopped across from this hotel.
Our guide reiterated that this neighbourhood in San Jose is not a good one for visitors or non locals to wander around in after dark.
"This is the end of the red light district," he said.
From here, we headed back to our respective hotels via a neighbourhood that's home to embassies of the Vatican, Japan, and more, and the house of the President of Costa Rica.
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San Jose Bakery near Central Market Costa Rica Great Place to get snacks 
With the heavy traffic, the tour was taking longer than planned, and soon several of the group were asking the guide to stop for food.
(Not me! I always have food and water with me - see meds, food tips page.)
And I am sure you've noticed how petulant grown people can get when their happy hour needs are going unmet :-)
On the way west, the guide had the driver stop on the side of the road at La Sabana Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano La Sabana) that is the site of the new sports stadium (googlemap).
"Look at that," he said, pointing to the large frame rising from the treed park grounds. (It brought to mind a similar building in Beijing, built for the Olympics). "That's our new stadium, a gift from the people of China, built using their money and their workers."
Apparently the reason for this largesse is that Costa Rica said, "Taiwan? Taiwan who?"
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