Central Market

The Mercado Central, between Avenidas Central/1 and Calles 6/8, is San José’s most colorful market and heady on atmosphere. Everything but the kitchen sink seems on offer within its dark warren of alleyways: baskets, flowers, hammocks, spices, meats, vegetables, and souvenirs. There are fish booths selling octopus, dorado, and shrimp; butchers’ booths with oxtails and pigs’ heads; flower stalls, saddle shops, and booths selling medicinal herbs guaranteed to cure everything from sterility to common colds. Outside, street hawkers call out their wares sold from brightly colored barrows. Pickpockets thrive in crowded places—watch your valuables. Closed Sunday.