🌿 More Than Shopping: Why Local Markets Are One of My Favorite Tours

One of the things I learned early on as a tour guide is that sometimes it’s the little things tourists enjoy most. Local organic markets are a perfect example. Maybe it’s because you’ll see very few other tourists there, and instead get to experience something truly authentic: Costa Ricans in their daily rhythm, not filtered through big corporations, marketing, tour books, or YouTube channels.

As tourists, we’re constantly surrounded by people selling us something. But at a local market, it feels real — not scripted, not trying too hard. We get to chat with locals in a friendly, casual setting, and yes, you’ll often see plenty of friendly dogs wandering around too! And of course, there’s the food: fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, locally baked bread, small‑batch chocolate, raw honey brought in by the beekeeper, and coffee grown on small farms you won’t find on supermarket shelves.

It’s also a chance to find handmade crafts and jewelry that truly are one‑of‑a‑kind — not factory souvenirs. And sometimes, the joy my guests feel comes from picking up on my energy. Because for me, visiting these markets isn’t just a tour stop — it’s part of my life, something I look forward to every week and do for myself, too.

Many of these special markets only happen once a week, most often on Saturday — sometimes Sunday. My personal favorite? Feria Verde in San José. I try never to miss it, and it’s a special day when I can share it with visitors. And yes, Una comes along too — though she sometimes tries to look tough when other dogs get too close!

A visit to a local market isn’t about ticking a box on an itinerary — it’s about slowing down, tasting real flavors, supporting small producers, and seeing a side of Costa Rica that most tourists never do. 🌱❤️