Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Costa Rica's graceful, modernist 35,000-seat national soccer stadium, constructed with
funding from the Chinese government and opened to the public in 2011, is the venue for
international and national Division-1
fútbol
(soccer) games. Its predecessor, dating to 1924
and located in the same spot in Parque Metropolitano La Sabana, hosted everyone from
Pope John Paul II to soccer legend Pelé to Bruce Springsteen over its 84-year history.
TThe F
y Biiesanz
Located in the hills of Bello Horizonte in Escazú, the workshop of
Biesanz Woodworks
(
GOOGLE MAP
; 2289-4337;
www.biesanz.com
;
8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm Sat) is one of the
finest woodcrafting studios in the nation, run by celebrated artisan Barry Biesanz. His
bowls and other decorative containers are exquisite and take their inspiration from pre-
Columbian techniques, in which the natural lines and forms of the wood determine the
shape and size of the bowl. The pieces are expensive (from US$135 for a palm-size bowl),
but they are unique - and so delicately crafted that they wouldn't be out of place in a mu-
seum.
e Fiine W
e Wooddcrrafftts o
s of B
f Barrrry B
Shopping
Whether you're looking for indigenous carvings, high-end furnishings or a plastic howler
monkey, San José has no shortage of shops, running the gamut from artsy boutiques to
tourist traps stocked full of tropical everything. Haggling is not tolerated in stores and
shops (markets are the exception). In touristy shops, keep an eye peeled for 'authentic'
woodworks that have 'Made in Indonesia' stamped on the bottom.
For the country's finest woodcrafts, it is absolutely worth the trip to visit the
Biesanz
Woodworks
workshop in Escazú.
Feria Verde de Aranjuez
MARKET
For a foodie-friendly cultural experience, don't miss this fabulous Saturday farmers mar-
ket, a weekly meeting place for San José's artists and organic growers since 2010. You'll
find organic coffee, artisanal chocolate, tropical-fruit popsicles, fresh produce, baked
