Visit the Charming Artisan Village of Sarchi on Your Costa Rica Vacation

Only an hour from San Jose, the mountain villageCosta Rica. The oxcarts were once a very
of Sarchi makes an ideal excursion for travelersimportant part of the daily life of Costa Ricans,
wanting to catch a glimpse of rural life in Costawho used the carts to transport coffee beans
Rica. Navigate the lovely little streets full offrom the mountains to the coast. They also
flowering trees and vines, stopping occasionally toserved as many families' only means of
take a photo, before heading to the main plazatransportation and so were seen as a status
for a peek into the pretty town church, painted asymbol. As time has passed their use has
lovely and unusual blue hue.become obsolete, yet they are still celebrated as
Shoppers will also find delightful crafts to purchasea stunning reminder of Costa Rica's agricultural
for gifts, or to keep for themselves as an unusualpast and present. The carts are featured in
memento of their vacation. In fact, Sarchi isparades and fiestas and the intricate designs now
considered the premier artisan craft destination incover every inch of the surface.
the country. Sarchi is primarily known for itsThey may be a little too large to fit in your
woodworking and visitors can watch many of thesuitcase, but the artists also produce beautifully
artists hard at work in the back of stores and inpainted handmade bowls and platters that you
workshops throughout the small town.can easily take home. In addition to the hand
The most famous of the crafts is the oxcart, thepainted items, Sarchi's artisans also make
country's most well-known craft. These beautifullybeautifully craved furniture like tables, chairs, and
hand-painted carts are exquisite samples ofchests, as well as decorative masks, wind chimes,
artists' talents and a must-see on your trip toand statues.