When I first arrived in Costa Rica, I decided not to ship much furniture and instead buy a few items after getting here, which made it considerably cheaper. It just so happens that my landlord is a master woodworker, so I designed a dresser, end table, and TV/component table as seen in the feature picture. He built the pieces out of cedar and delivered them to me within three weeks at a very reasonable price.
I soon learned that Sarchi is known all over Costa Rica as the capital of wood working and is home to the very best furniture craftsmen in the entire country. Sarchi is a great place to spend half a day, as we did awhile back. This small town tucked into the hills of the Valverde Vega Canton of Alajuela is about 30 kilometers northwest of Alajuela and neighbors Grecia.
In Sarchi, you’ll find handcrafted tables, chairs, rocking chairs, beds, sofas, dressers, end tables, and an assortment of handcrafted souvenirs. People from all over the country travel here to buy quality furniture for their homes, and most of the furniture is crafted from wood gathered from reforested plantations. In addition, in the town center, you’ll find the most beautiful church and, nearby, the biggest oxcart in the world (certified by the Guinness Records in 2006), built by Eloy Alfaro’s workshop with the help of craftsmen and women from all over Sarchi.
If you’re looking for cultural souvenirs, look no further than Sarchi. You can find handmade furniture, dishes, jewelry, and utensils everywhere. The artistry that goes into the crafts is awesome and will certainly be some of the most unique and traditional Costa Rican souvenirs that you will find. We took a detour and headed over to Naranjo (only 10 minutes or 6.1 km away) to visit Souvenir Marin Maderas Finas, which housed the most amazing and beautiful collection of Costa Rican cultural arts and wooden products.
If you happen to get hungry while souvenir shopping, head over to Pomodoro E Mozzarella Pizzeria to satisfy your taste buds and enjoy a cold beer or glass of wine to complete your afternoon.
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