What’s my favorite thing to do in Costa Rica? I can give you a long list—walk on an empty beach at sunrise, listen to howler monkeys at dawn, soak in a hot spring near Arenal—but if I really narrow it down to something that never gets old, something I look forward to every single week, it is this: going to the local farmer’s market, known here as the feria.
Costa Rica’s farmer’s markets are not flashy. You won’t find rows of colorful trinkets, silver jewelry, hand-tooled leather, or embroidered textiles like you might see in markets in Mexico or Guatemala. Instead, what you will find is something far more authentic and deeply woven into everyday Costa Rican life: fresh food, real farmers, community, tradition, and an atmosphere that feels joyful, relaxed, and alive.
These markets are not designed for tourists. They exist for locals—but visitors are always welcome. And once you experience one, you’ll understand why Costa Rica’s farmer’s markets are not just a local thing. They are a cultural experience not to be missed.
What Is a Costa Rican “Feria”?
The word feria simply means “fair” in Spanish, but in Costa Rica it has a very specific meaning. A feria del agricultor is a weekly farmer’s market, usually held on Saturday or Sunday mornings, where farmers come directly from their fields to sell their produce.
These farmers grow their fruits and vegetables on their own land, often small family plots that have been passed down through generations. Many of them use traditional or organic farming methods, even if they don’t officially label their produce as organic.
In towns and cities across Costa Rica, streets are closed early in the morning—often near the main church or central park—and transformed into bustling outdoor markets filled with:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Herbs and spices
- Fresh cheeses
- Eggs
- Flowers
- Homemade products
- Natural drinks
By midday, the feria is gone. The street returns to normal, as if nothing ever happened.
A Weekly Ritual That Never Gets Old
I live in a relatively large town, and every Sunday morning the main street near the church comes alive. Trucks arrive before dawn. Metal frames go up. Tarps are stretched overhead to protect vendors and shoppers from sun or rain. Wooden crates are unloaded, and soon the street is overflowing with color.
Even though I’ve been going to the feria for years, it never feels routine. Each week brings something slightly different—new fruits in season, different vendors, new conversations, and always the same sense of warmth and familiarity.
Costa Ricans greet each other with smiles and easy conversation. Many shoppers know the farmers personally and ask about their families, their crops, or how the weather has been affecting the harvest.
This is not rushed shopping. This is a social event.
An Explosion of Color and Freshness
One of the first things you notice when you walk into a Costa Rican farmer’s market is the intensity of the colors. Everything looks alive, vibrant, and freshly harvested.
You’ll see:
- Deep red tomatoes, still warm from the sun
- Bright orange carrots with green tops attached
- Shiny green cucumbers
- Pale green chayotes stacked in neat piles
- Golden pineapples with spiky crowns
- Papayas split open to show their coral-colored flesh
- Bananas in every size and variety
Unlike supermarkets, where produce is uniform and polished, feria produce looks real. It may be oddly shaped or imperfect—but the flavor is unbeatable.
Unbelievably Low Prices
One of the most astonishing aspects of Costa Rica’s farmer’s markets—especially for visitors—is the price.
Here are some typical examples:
- 1 pound of fresh, red, plump tomatoes: about 5 cents
- 1 pound of juicy carrots: around 30 cents
- 1 pound of cucumbers: about 50 cents
And this is not low-quality produce. This is food that was likely harvested the day before—or even that same morning.
Because there are no middlemen, no long transportation chains, and no supermarket markups, prices remain incredibly affordable. Farmers sell directly to consumers, and both benefit.
Seasonal Eating, the Costa Rican Way
Costa Ricans eat seasonally, often without even thinking about it. The feria naturally reflects what is growing at that time of year.
During the rainy season, you’ll see:
- Abundant leafy greens
- Root vegetables
- Herbs in large bunches
During the dry season:
- Mangos
- Watermelon
- Pineapple
- Citrus fruits
This connection to the seasons keeps diets varied, fresh, and closely tied to the land. It also means that every visit to the market feels different depending on the time of year.
Fresh Juices, Coconuts, and Traditional Drinks
Costa Rica’s farmer’s markets are not just about fruits and vegetables. They are also a paradise for fresh, natural drinks.
You’ll often find stalls selling:
- Freshly squeezed orange juice
- Mango juice
- Carrot juice
- Sugar cane water (agua de caña)
- Fresh coconuts, cracked open on the spot
One of my favorite moments is watching a vendor skillfully slice the top off a green coconut with a machete, insert a straw, and hand it to a customer. Costa Ricans call coconuts pipas, and drinking one fresh at the feria is as refreshing as it gets.
A Community Gathering Place
The feria is where everyone comes together:
- Families with children
- Elderly couples walking slowly with reusable bags
- Teenagers helping parents carry groceries
- Friends running into each other and stopping to chat
It’s common to see grandparents teaching grandchildren how to choose ripe fruit, or farmers explaining how to cook an unfamiliar vegetable.
Music is often playing—sometimes recorded, sometimes live. In smaller towns, you might even hear a marimba band adding to the festive atmosphere.
Flowers and Unexpected Finds
Many Costa Rican farmer’s markets also feature stalls selling fresh-cut flowers. Bouquets of roses, tropical heliconias, orchids, and other blooms brighten the market and add another layer of color and fragrance.
You may also find:
- Homemade breads
- Traditional sweets
- Local cheeses
- Eggs from free-range chickens
Each feria reflects the character of its town and the creativity of its people.
The Best Time to Go
The best time to visit a Costa Rican farmer’s market is early in the morning, when the produce is at its freshest and the selection is widest.
However, there’s another secret: go near closing time. As vendors prepare to pack up, many lower their prices even more rather than take produce home. It’s not unusual to see someone leave with bags overflowing with fruits and vegetables for just a few dollars.
A Sustainable and Meaningful Experience
Costa Rica’s farmer’s markets are an example of sustainable living in action:
- Local food reduces transportation emissions
- Small farmers are supported directly
- Seasonal eating minimizes environmental impact
- Minimal packaging reduces waste
For visitors, shopping at a feria is one of the easiest ways to support local communities while enjoying the freshest food possible.
Why Visitors Shouldn’t Miss It
If you are visiting Costa Rica, don’t limit your experience to beaches, rainforests, and national parks. Make time for a farmer’s market.
You don’t need to speak fluent Spanish. A smile, a few words, and a sense of curiosity are enough. Vendors are patient, friendly, and proud of what they grow.
Walking through a feria gives you insight into:
- Daily Costa Rican life
- Local agriculture
- Traditional food culture
- Community values
It’s an experience that feels genuine and unfiltered.
Final Thoughts
Costa Rica’s farmer’s markets are not tourist attractions—but that is exactly what makes them so special. They are living, breathing expressions of the country’s culture, values, and connection to the land.
Every weekend, in towns large and small, streets transform into colorful corridors of abundance. Farmers sell the fruits of their labor. Neighbors reconnect. Families shop together. Life slows down, if only for a few hours.
So when you visit Costa Rica, wake up early one morning, find out where the local feria is held, and go. Buy a bag of tomatoes. Drink a fresh juice. Talk to a farmer.
You may find, like I did, that it becomes one of your favorite things to do in Costa Rica—and something you will never forget.