Shopping in Costa Rica during COVID-19
Whether we want to or not, we are going to find out how the Coronavirus pandemic is affecting Costa Rica stores and businesses. I jump in the passenger seat of my neighbors Isuzu truck. I take a deep breath as she asks, “Are you ready for this?” My response was a quick “no, are you?” Both of us roll our eyes and chuckle as we do our show and tell of what we have brought on our adventure out. I brought a bottle of hand sanitizer and she brought disinfectant wipes. It has been a couple of weeks since we have done our last supply run and the food is starting to run low, so no matter how much we don’t want to go to town it is necessary.
Have you been shopping during the Coronavirus pandemic? Do the stores and businesses have what you need? Today I have to go shopping in Costa Rica. What will the stores be like? Will the shelves even be stocked? It has now been a couple of weeks since the country of Costa Rica started a state of lockdown. They have closed all borders, beaches, parks, schools, churches, and driving restrictions have been implemented. But how is the Coronavirus Pandemic affecting Costa Rica stores and businesses?
Our Remote Paradise in Costa Rica
We live outside a small village in Costa Rica where both of us have been able to self-isolate during the Coronavirus quarantine. This has provided some peace of mind when trying to stay healthy during these uncertain times. However, we still need to eat and that requires a trip to the town. Whether we head north or south, it is about the same drive time to both Santa Cruz in the south or Villa Real to the North.
We chose Villareal because that is where our favorite fruit stand and vets are. Neither of us has been out in at least a week, so we have no clue what the bigger stores were going to be like. I have been in contact with some friends in town the past couple of days who have informed me the streets are empty. They reported that the store’s shelves have food, personal hygiene products including soaps, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper. Now is as good of a time as any to do our supply run.
We need to stock up a bit
Most of the time our goal is to stock up for a week or two. Since it takes over an hour one way, both of us try to limit the trips. This time the goal is much different. This time our goal is to have as little contact with others while stocking up for a month if possible. The coronavirus is scary in itself, but having an autoimmune condition makes this trip even scarier.
How quickly can we get in and out of the stores? As much as we want to get it all done in one stop, it is just not possible with the way we shop in Costa Rica. We have been doing this trip every week for almost a year now, so we know exactly where we have to go. It is going to take five stops, in order to get everything. This brings my anxiety even higher than normal, but I have to do it no matter how much my anxiety is bothering me.
ComeFruta feria in Villareal Costa Rica
As we pull into our first stop at the ComeFruta feria in Villa Real. The signs are all over the front of the building. “OJO POR FAVOR LAVARSE LAS MANOS ANTES DE ENTRAR. TODOS POR NUESTRA SALUD.” “PLEASE NOTE WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE ENTERING. ALL FOR OUR HEALTH”. They have put a handwashing station with sink, soap and running water outside of the feria.
Big Surprise
While this is a big surprise since running water and sinks are not something you see on the outside of the building let alone an outside fruit market, it is a huge step in the right direction of giving me a little peace of mind. I watch people line up to wash their hands before heading into the market. I feel a little better about what the day is going to hold. After we wash our hands, we head in to grab what we needed. The stands are full of fresh fruits and vegetables and it takes less than five minutes for both of us to fill our carts and checkout.
Maxi Pali Costa Rica
The next stop is Maxi Pali. This is like a mini Walmart where we are able to buy our non-perishable items and personal hygiene products. As we walk through the door, once again we are greeted with signs, spray bottles, and a roll of towels. “Uso EXCLUSIVO para disinfection de coches y canastas. NO utilizar en el cuerpo.” “EXCLUSIVE use for disinfection of carts and baskets. DO NOT use on the body.”
Wipe down
We spray and wiped down the carts. After we are done, both of us use my hand sanitizer since what they provided was only for the carts, and off we go to do our shopping. The store shelves are full of food and personal items including toilet paper, and cleaning supplies. Some items like cereal, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper are limited to 3 per customer/household.
Approaching the checkout aisle, there is plexiglass separating the customer from the cashier. You are still expected to bag your own groceries. After I pay the cashier I step over and start bagging my groceries. Once he completes ringing up my items, the cashier begins to help bag my groceries. He reaches for one of my cloth bags and his hand accidentally bumps my arm.
Cause for alarm
On a normal day, there would have been no cause for alarm; however, with the Coronavirus threat, this day is different. He immediately hits an alarm, steps back, and puts his hands in the air as if it is a stick-up. I don’t speak Spanish and cannot understand the words that he is announcing extremely fast. Another employee walks over and immediately relieves him of his duties at the cash register. He rushes directly to the bathroom where I watch him wash his hands with soap and water. At this moment I feel like I was the kiss of death. In all honesty, it is a relief knowing that they are using proper hygiene before touching all my groceries.
Mega Super Costa Rica
We throw our non-perishables in the truck and proceeded to use hand sanitizer before heading to our next stop, Mega Super. I need to get cash out of the ATM to pay my water and electric bill but I do not need to buy any items here. Walking into the store we are greeted by a gentleman holding a spray bottle standing next to a table with paper towels. The store requires that he spay our cart and our hands before we can enter. The ATM is in the front of the store where I am able to pull out cash. As I exit the store, the gentleman offers to spray my hands down again. I wait outside while my neighbor grabs a few supplies from inside. When she comes out, she informs me that the store shelves are also fully stocked just like they always have been.
Vets Dr. Cavallini's
I need to pick up heart-worm and flea and tick medicine for our dogs, so the next stop is the veterinarian. As I approached DR. Cavallini’s office there are signs and a table outside with a spray bottle and a roll of paper towels. The front door is locked requiring the employee to come around the front desk where she proceeds to unlock the door. She cracks it open so she can ask me what I need. Only after I spray my hands will she allow me to enter the building, locking the door behind me. She makes sure to keep a good distance from me while ringing up my items. Then she unlocks the door allowing me to leave. I can see that she has also used hand sanitizer after locking the door behind me.
Centro De Carnes Villa Mar in Villareal Costa Rica
We jump in the truck and have a quick conversation about needing meat. We both like to buy our meat and dog bones at the local carnicerìa. This was not on our list of stores to go to since we are trying to limit our exposure and stores; however, neither of us has meat at home and we both feel that the Costa Rica business owners are doing a good job in making sure things are sanitary. So, we decide to go and pick up chicken and some dog bones.
Just like the other stores, there is a table with a sign, spray bottle, paper towels, and they even have a bottle of hand sanitizer. A big sign is on the front door stating only four people are allowed in at a time. All the employees not only have their mouths covered but also their faces and heads. All you can see is their eyes. Everyone including the lady at the register has on latex gloves.
With meat and bones packed in the cooler, we venture on over to our last big stop, Groupo Economico. Again, we are greeted with much of the same; a table with signs, spray bottles, and paper towels. The store has also put big white boxes between the cash registers and the customers to ensure proper distance. All but one of the employees are wearing surgical masks and have on latex gloves. This store has the cheapest dog food and juice. We squirt another blob of hand sanitizer and head back to the truck.
Mine Super Villa Real Costa Rica
Last but not least on our shopping tour was the Mini Super Villareal. While this is not a must, I really want my glass bottle Coke and both of us need something to eat for the car ride home. As we walk up to the store, we can see the line of people standing out front. The store has plumbed a sink with running water to create a hand washing station with a soap bottle, and paper towels out in front of the store. An employee stands at the door making sure that everyone washes their hands and is keeping distance between each other.
They only let two people in at a time. I grab my glass bottle of Coke and we discuss whether to risk the local homemade empanadas in the warming case. If you’ve ever eaten one of these empanadas you can appreciate the temptation. We decide to risk it and grab the fresh food. Just like the other stores, they want us to stand back away from the cashier, so they have placed a crate on the floor in front of the registers.
Let's head home
With the truck loaded with our groceries, vet supplies, and road snacks, we give ourselves one last hand sanitizing and head home. I relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery feeling great relief having completed our supply run. We both express our pride in our efficiency. Both of us share how impressed we are with the precautions that the various businesses are taking. It is a relief to see that the country is serious about protecting itself.
COVID-19 is affecting Costa Rica stores & businesses
Earlier we asked, how is the Coronavirus Pandemic affecting Costa Rica stores and businesses? From my day of shopping in Costa Rica during the Coronavirus there were a few things that stood out to me. First, all of the stores were fully stocked with their respective items. There was not even shortages of disinfectants or toilet paper. Second, every one of them was taking precautions.
The smaller stores seemed increasingly vigilant with even higher precautions as they had plumbed running water with sinks and soap not just spray bottles. In addition, most stores had employees ensuring everybody sanitized their hands while limiting the number of people in the stores at one time.
I’m happy that we chose to ride out the Coronavirus pandemic in paradise. Unlike many countries, Costa Rica is taking the situation seriously. Thank you to the stores and Costa Rica government for doing your part to keep people safe during this time of uncertainty.
