Budget Shopping for Balsa Masks, Carved Jicaras and Pejibaye Palm Hats

OSA PENINSULA, Costa Rica—A couple of gravel streets, a general store, some bars and a butcher shop are about the extent of Puerto Jiminez, a small village on the northeast tip of the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. Located only 25 minutes from the award-winning eco-resort Lapa Rios, it is the ideal place for guests of the lodge to take in the sites, sounds, tastes and culture of a bustling little Costa Rican village - particularly the handiwork of area artisans. Here guests will find budget shopping at its best. A gem of a craft store in town, Jagua, features a lengthy list of items that cannot be found anywhere else. Anywhere from $2 to $150 will get shoppers beautiful Balsa carved ceremonial masks, hand woven and naturally died bags (or chacaras), seed bead jewelry, intricate stained-glass mosaics, colorful tapestries, museum-quality baskets and hand-crafted dolls. These items, many of which are highly collectible, come from indigenous artisans of the Guaymi and Boruca peoples, among others. If guests choose not to tour Puerto Jiminez, Lapa Rios makes arrangements for various local artisans, as well as the owner of Jagua, to visit the resort with their wares on a regular basis. Lapa Rios operates year-round with Green Season savings of 30 percent off its all-inclusive rates May through October.

  www.laparios.com
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