So, you’re heading to Costa Rica—or maybe you’re already there, soaking up the “Pura Vida” vibes. This place is a jackpot of natural beauty, rich culture, and that chill, happy energy you’ll want to bottle up and take home. Lucky for you, there are some killer souvenirs that do just that. From the iconic Salsa Lizano to world-famous coffee and handmade treasures,
I’ve rounded up the 16 best authentic keepsakes that scream Costa Rica. Your original 11 were spot-on, and I’ve sprinkled in five trending extras based on what tourists are loving in 2025 (thanks to some web digging and X buzz). Let’s get shopping and bring a piece of paradise back with you!
1. Salsa Lizano – The Costa Rican Kitchen Staple
This sauce is more than a condiment—it’s a cultural glue. Created in 1920 by the Lizano family in Alajuela, it’s a blend of veggies (onions, carrots, cauliflower), spices, and a tangy kick, bottled by Unilever since the 1990s but still made in Costa Rica. You’ll see it on every table, from roadside sodas to San José’s fanciest spots, especially with gallo pinto or tamales at Christmas.
A 280ml bottle costs $2–$5 locally, and it’s so iconic that Ticos abroad hoard it—expat forums swear it’s the taste of home. Duty-free shops at Juan Santamaría Airport stock it, but check liquid limits if you’re flying. Fun fact: It’s got a cumin-chili vibe some compare to a mild Worcestershire, but it’s 100% Tico.
Extra Nugget: Look for the green “Picante” version if you want a slight heat upgrade—less common but a locals’ secret.
2. Costa Rican Coffee – Beans of Bliss
Costa Rica’s coffee isn’t just good—it’s elite, ranking among the world’s top 10 producers despite its tiny size. Volcanic soil from peaks like Poás and Irazú, plus high altitudes (1,200–1,800 meters), give beans their signature brightness. Tarrazú’s the poster child, but Tres Ríos and Brunca are rising stars—each region’s got its own flavor (Tarrazú’s nutty, Tres Ríos is floral). A 340g bag runs $5–$10, and co-ops like Coopedota in San Marcos roast fresh daily.
Coffee tours (e.g., Britt’s in Heredia) let you taste and buy straight from the source—some even ship. Café Bohío in Playa Jacó blends Tarrazú with coconut milk for a $4 cup you’ll dream about. Fun fact: Law bans growing anything but Arabica here—quality’s non-negotiable.
Extra Nugget: Grab “peaberry” beans (smaller, rounder) if you see them—locals say they’re sweeter and pricier.
3. Chorreador Coffee Maker – Brew Like a Local
The chorreador’s been dripping coffee since the 1800s, a wooden stand with a reusable “sock” (bolsita) that’s all about slow, hands-on brewing. It’s a ritual—boil water, grind beans fresh, pour steady—and Ticos swear it beats any machine. Simple ones cost $15 at markets like San José’s Mercado Central, while carved versions with toucans or oxcart designs hit $20–$30 in Sarchí or tourist shops.
The wood’s often cedar or pine, and the sock’s cotton—washable, eco-friendly, and a nod to simpler times. Coffee festivals (like in Orosí) sometimes sell vintage ones. Fun fact: “Chorrear” means “to drip” in Spanish—hence the name.
Extra Nugget: Pair it with a metal “cafetera” mug for the full rustic vibe—some artisans bundle them.
4. “Pura Vida” T-Shirt – Wear the Motto
“Pura Vida” isn’t just a saying—it’s Costa Rica’s DNA, coined in the 1950s after a Mexican film but turned into a national ethos of optimism. T-shirts are the wearable version, sold everywhere from Tamarindo’s beach stalls to Liberia Airport’s gift shops. Designs range from simple text to sloths, macaws, or surfboards—cotton’s king, but bamboo blends are popping up. Locals use the phrase for everything—greeting, gratitude, goodbye—and it’s so ingrained UNESCO calls it intangible heritage. Fun fact: Knockoffs flood online, but real ones have “Hecho en Costa Rica” tags—check the label.
Extra Nugget: Grab a tie-dye version from hippie markets in Nosara for extra retro flair.
5. Guaro – The Fiesta Fuel
Guaro’s the moonshine-turned-national-drink, distilled from sugarcane since the 1800s but legalized in the 1980s under the Cacique brand by Fábrica Nacional de Licores (FANAL). At 30% alcohol, it’s smoother than rum with a sweet edge—perfect for chiliguaro shots (recipe: 1 oz Guaro, tomato juice, dash of hot sauce, lime squeeze). A 750ml bottle’s $5–$15 at supermarkets or duty-free, and it’s a party staple—think ferias or New Year’s. Some rural spots still brew illicit “guaro casero,” but Cacique’s the safe bet. Fun fact: “Cacique” means “chief” in Indigenous tongues—a nod to its reign.
Extra Nugget: Try a “Guaro Sour” (Guaro, lime, sugar) at a bar first—it’s the Tico Pisco Sour.
6. Café Britt Chocolate – Sweet Local Love
Café Britt’s been roasting since 1985, but their chocolate game’s just as strong, using cacao from Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast (Limon’s wet climate is cacao heaven). Bars ($5–$15) mix dark chocolate with almonds, pineapple, or coffee beans—70% cacao’s the norm, balancing bitter and sweet. Airport stores in San José and Liberia are stocked, and their Heredia factory offers tours with tastings (about $30, including goodies). They’ve got a “Chocomuseo” vibe—stuffed animals and truffles galore. Fun fact: Costa Rica’s cacao was currency for Indigenous groups pre-Columbus—now it’s just delicious.
Extra Nugget: Snag the “Choco Café” gift pack with beans and bars for a twofer treat.
7. Handmade Coconut Bowls – Eco-Tropical Chic
Coconuts are Costa Rica’s tropical MVPs—pipa fría vendors hack them open for $1–$2 on beaches like Manuel Antonio, and Caribbean cooks use the milk in rundown (a spicy stew). Artisans in places like Puerto Viejo turn shells into bowls, sanding them smooth or carving wave designs. They’re $10–$20 at beach markets or eco-shops, and no two are alike—some even get a food-safe polish. Coconut palms cover 6% of the country, so it’s a renewable win. Fun fact: The Boruca sometimes paint them, blending their mask style into kitchenware.
Extra Nugget: Look for sets with wooden spoons—handy for serving gallo pinto.
8. Hand-Carved Wood Masks – Boruca Brilliance
Boruca masks are warrior art, born from the “Juego de los Diablitos,” a festival where the tribe mocks Spanish conquistadors with devilish faces—think jaguars, boars, or fanged spirits. Carvers use balsa or cedar, painting them in acrylics (reds, yellows, blacks) for $20–$50+ at shops in Dominical or San José’s Museo Nacional gift store. The tradition’s fading as tourism grows—only 40% of Boruca men carve now, per recent counts—but each sale keeps it kicking. Fun fact: Real ones are signed; fakes flood cheap stalls, so ask for provenance.
Extra Nugget: Hang it with a story card—buyers love the history.
9. VIDA Blue Clay Beauty Products – Rainforest Glow
VIDA Blue Clay comes from a single rainforest spot near Volcán Rincón de la Vieja—mineral-rich, sulfur-free, and pulled from spring-fed deposits. It’s got zinc and magnesium for detox, and locals have used it for centuries (think Indigenous mud masks). Jars ($10 for 2oz, $30–$40 for 12oz) are sold at eco-spas or markets like Feria Verde in San José, often as powder you mix with water or honey. Spas in Arenal use it in $50 facials—try it there first. Fun fact: It’s blue-ish from copper, not dye—a natural rarity.
Extra Nugget: Pair it with local coconut oil for a DIY spa kit.
10. Costa Rican Towels & Hammocks – Beach Life Essentials
Towels ($15–$25) with sloths or colones nod to Costa Rica’s wildlife and currency—cotton, quick-dry, and bold at places like Jacó’s souvenir row. Hammocks ($20–$50) are handwoven in Guanacaste or Puntarenas, often by women’s co-ops, using cotton or nylon in sunset hues. They’re beach staples—hammock culture’s big in Caribbean towns like Cahuita. Markets like Puntarenas’ Paseo de los Turistas sell both. Fun fact: Colones towels feature the 1,000-note sloth—iconic since 1980s bills.
Extra Nugget: Get a hammock with carabiners—easier to hang at home.
11. Wooden Rocking Chair – The Pura Vida Throne
Sarchí’s rocking chairs are furniture royalty—leather seats, cedar or laurel frames, and carvings from oxcart wheels to your name. They’re $200–$500+ at Sarchí’s Coopearsa co-op or big stores like Muebles Rústicos, reflecting a craft that’s been around since the 1900s coffee boom. Locals rock them on porches; tourists ship them (about $150–$300 to the U.S.) or check them as luggage (call your airline). Fun fact: Sarchí’s “World’s Largest Oxcart” (Guinness-certified) is nearby—see it, then buy the chair.
Extra Nugget: Ask for a “mecedora” (rocker)—the Tico term—and customize the stain.
12. Boruca Handwoven Bags – Colorful Carryalls
These aren’t just bags—they’re a slice of Boruca Indigenous life woven into every thread. The Boruca, a tribe of about 2,000 people in southern Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains, have been mastering backstrap looms for centuries. Women traditionally weave between chores, using cotton they grow themselves, spinning it by hand, and dyeing it with natural goodies like turmeric, achiote, and even purple from Murex sea snails (a rare dye they harvest sustainably on Pacific coast trips).
The result? Vibrant, geometric-patterned bags—totes, purses, yoga mat carriers—that are both practical and a cultural flex. They typically run $15–$30 at markets, co-ops, or spots like the Boruca Gallery Gift Shop in Dominicalito.
Tourism’s been a game-changer since the 1960s Inter-American Highway opened things up, shifting their economy from farming to crafts—80% of Borucans now rely on this art for income. Problem is, younger folks are leaning toward modern gigs, so this tradition’s fading. Snag one while you can—it’s a fair-trade win that keeps their heritage alive.
Extra Nugget: Look for bags with Murex purple dye if you want something extra special—it’s a nod to a 2,000-year-old technique still practiced by only a few communities worldwide.
13. Oxcart Replicas – Mini Cultural Icons
Oxcarts, or “carretas,” are Costa Rica’s OG workhorses, hauling coffee from the highlands to the coast back in the day. Now they’re a UNESCO-recognized symbol of Tico culture, and the mini hand-painted replicas are a souvenir staple. Sarchí, an artisan town an hour from San José, is the hotspot—think of it as the oxcart capital where locals still craft full-sized versions alongside these tiny ones.
You’ll find them in bright reds, yellows, and greens, often with floral or geometric designs, ranging from $10 keychains to $50 detailed models at markets, Sarchí’s Mercado de Artesanía, or airport shops. They’re lightweight and packable, making them a no-brainer for travelers. The real deal’s celebrated every second Sunday in March during Día Nacional del Boyero (Oxcart Driver’s Day), especially in Escazú—mini versions let you take that vibe home without needing an ox.
Extra Nugget: The painting style’s so iconic it’s considered a national art form—some families in Sarchí have been passing down the craft for generations.
14. Local Hot Sauces – Spicy Souvenirs
Salsa Lizano’s the king, but Costa Rica’s hot sauce scene is heating up with small-batch stars like Shade and FireWorks. These aren’t your average scorchers—they mix tropical twists like mango, pineapple, or tamarind with local chilies (think panameño or Scotch bonnet) for a sweet-spicy punch. Bottles go for $5–$10 at supermarkets, farmers’ markets, or tourist shops, and they’re a foodie’s dream—easy to pack and a taste of Costa Rica’s laid-back zest.
Shade’s known for small-scale production with natural ingredients, while FireWorks leans into bold, fruity blends. Chili’s a quiet player in Tico cuisine (less dominant than in, say, Mexico), but these sauces are gaining fans among travelers who want more than coffee to spice up their pantry. Check labels—some artisans sell at places like San José’s Mercado Central.
Extra Nugget: Pair them with gallo pinto for an authentic breakfast kick—locals might not douse everything in heat, but these sauces are a modern twist on tradition.
15. Indigenous Pottery – Timeless Treasures
Chorotega pottery from Guanacaste is like holding a piece of pre-Columbian Costa Rica. The Chorotega, one of the country’s original Indigenous groups, still craft vases, bowls, and figurines using clay from the Nicoya Peninsula, dyed with natural pigments (reds from iron oxide, blacks from manganese), and fired in beehive kilns.
Guaitíl, a village near Tamarindo, is the pottery epicenter—about 100 families keep the tradition alive, selling pieces from $15 to $100+ at local workshops or co-ops. You’ll see animal motifs (jaguars, turtles) or geometric patterns, all shaped by hand or simple tools—no fancy wheels here. It’s a survivor of a culture that’s faded since Columbus rolled in, and buying direct supports artisans fighting to keep it going. Harder to find outside Guanacaste, but San José markets sometimes stock it.
Extra Nugget: Some potters in Guaitíl let you watch them work—bring cash and haggle a bit for a fresh-from-the-kiln piece.
16. Bamboo Clothing – Eco-Friendly Threads
Costa Rica’s green cred shines in bamboo clothing—tees, sarongs, shorts—that’s soft, breathable, and planet-friendly. Bamboo grows fast (no pesticides needed), making it a sustainability champ, and local artisans turn it into lightweight gear perfect for tropical vibes. Expect to pay $20–$40 at eco-shops, markets, or spots like Monteverde’s Casem Co-Op, where women artisans sell fair-trade goods.
It’s not tied to one Indigenous group but reflects Costa Rica’s broader eco-push—think of it as wearable “Pura Vida.” Travelers in 2025 are buzzing about it on travel forums for its comfort and low environmental footprint. Look for “hecho a mano” (handmade) labels to ensure it’s local. Bonus: it wicks sweat like a dream, so it’s practical for your trip too.
Extra Nugget: Some vendors pair bamboo with recycled materials or natural dyes—ask around for the most eco-conscious picks.
Final Thoughts: Pack Some Pura Vida
Whether you’re snagging a quick Café Britt bar at the airport or shipping a rocking chair from Sarchí, these 16 souvenirs let you share Costa Rica’s soul with friends, family, and yourself. They’re not just things—they’re flavors, stories, and that chill vibe you’ll miss the second you leave. So, sip some Guaro, soak up the sun, and grab a few of these goodies to keep the “Pura Vida” flowing. What’s your top pick? Let me know—I’m dying to hear!