If you are in Costa Rica and you feel in the mood to shop, then you will find yourself delighted by the wide and varied selection of malls that you can choose to go to. These malls have many facilities and amenities, and may even remind you of your typical malls back home.
Terra Mall is one of the biggest and largest malls in Central America, and is definitely one of the first places you should go to for shopping. There are over a hundred shops as well as a mega mart. Should you feel like watching movies or having a bite, there is also a cinema as well as a big food court that features not only local food but international fast-food as well. It is open daily at 10am and closes at 8pm.
Mall San Pedro is another interesting shopping mall. It was one of the first malls in Costa Rica, but do not let this fact mislead you into thinking of it as old-fashioned and outdated. Three-storeys high, with numerous specialty shops, a cinema, a disco and food court that occupies two storeys, Mall San Pedro is sure to have something for everyone. This mall is also open daily, from 9am to 8pm.
Yet another shopping option would be the Multiplaza Oeste, an upscale two-storey mall with over two hundred shops as well as home to a cinema and a large food court. It is highly accessible, with a location close to the highway, and features shops such as Liz Clairborne and Tommy Hilfiger. It caters to slightly more expensive tastes, and is open daily from 9am to 8pm.
If you are someone who prefers to shop in departmental stores, then head over to Plaza Real Cariari, which is also located close to the highway. What makes the Plaza Real Cariari different is that it has three departmental stores: Alyss, Blooms and Brand Fashion, all which compete to offer shoppers a wide range of items of reasonable prices. Those who prefer to shop in mega marts ala Wal-Mart should head on over to Hipermas which has three branches in San Sebastian, Heredia and Cartago. Hipermas is family friendly and has everything you could possibly need, all in one compact location.
For those who would like something different as compared to the usual shopping malls, the San Jose Central Market may be particularly appealing. This is a large plot of land with small stalls which sell food, crafts, accessories and many other things. The atmosphere is usually quite lively, and this provides an option for those who prefer a more unique shopping experience.
Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Costa Rica accommodation and vacation accommodation worldwide.
