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Sarchi
Costa Rican craftsmen are known for their beautiful metal, leather, ceramic and tropical hardwood work. Costa Rican designs are mainly derived from Moorish styles. When the Spaniards arrived in America, Moorish oxcarts much like those that were eventually built and used to haul coffee to the coast, were used in Spain. Though they are mostly decorative now, they are still used in rural areas. Modern artisans paint colorful designs on trays, wall plaques, and oxcarts, ranging in size from miniatures to actual life size carts. The village of Sarchi, near San Jose, is a noted center for the items, and showrooms are filled with hand painted wooden pieces. Sarchi has grown with tourism into a fairly good size town. Passengers traveling to san Jose from the port normally stop at Sarchi.
San Jose
Just a two hour drive from the port, the charming Costa Rican capital is the very soul of the “tico” nation. Although Costa Rica’s wealth came from crops and progressive government rather than gold, colonial atmosphere pervades the highlands capital. Nestled into the Valley of the Saints, the climate is agreeable and cool and even though San Jose is a center of commerce, “laid-back” elegance sets the pace and tone. Even in the nation’s biggest city, the friendly people always greet you with a smile and a pleasant nod. Keep close watch - residents are eager to please visitors and during your stay - no matter how brief - someone will surely go out of the way to make you smile.
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