I live in Costa Rica as well, but in Tres Rios. Más X Menos, Pali and Maxi Pali are all owned by Walmart International. Más X Menos would be similar to the Neighborhood Markets in the US. It’s a very nice store.

As basic as this video is, anyone who is moving there is going to shop like this every week and it is helpful to adjust expectations. Yes, very helpful!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Bob! I am glad you found it helpful :)

I see people in Costa Rica very decent good clean people they don’t mess in the store like in US and Canada they don’t throw things on the floor I see that so that gives me an idea what kind of people that lives in Costa Rica

I found Maxi Pali a great place to explore with the kids while it's raining!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your input!

Excellent job, Sarah! I remember asking you about creating a grocery store tour a while back and glad to see this video. Super job on contrasting and comparing the different options!!

I’m moving to Costa Rica in August, so this is very informative.

I love this grocery store video. I enjoy visiting all the grocery stores in different countries we visit. Auto Mercado is a fav to visit. Not to buy things, but one item, and that is Thomas Muffins or bagels. More videos please. Your voice is soothing... and my wife enjoys listening to your videos too. She says you're a little north american angel in the jungle. 😇

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Jeffrey , Thank you & your wife for watching my videos :) That is so sweet what she said!! -- Subscribe and stay tuned as I have a lot more coming!!

Thank you for the grocery store tour. 🙂 Very nicely done! You’re so special to take your camera into these stores knowing that people are going to look at you funny. Yes everyone has their own budget, but like you said, “Why waste money on things that you could just as well get a a family owned store and support local businesses”, but if you really need Coors Lite, you know where to go. 😄

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

haha exactly!! Thank you Don :D

A excellent video , thanks for explain

You are the best. Thanks for the information. Never heard of f maxipali

Excellent video, thank you for posting!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your feedback Charles! I am glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for the info. Got in yesterday and our 1st stop was Zarcereno... Fruit and veggies were great..will definitely be our go to place for the month we're here👍

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad to hear that Patty! Enjoy your time here in Jaco!

I loved my first trip to a Walmart in San Jose. That's where I discovered a box of pancake mix with Aunt Jemima on the box. I knew I was in the right spot.

excellent video... Jaco has changed a lot... still a good surf town...lol

fantastic information thank you

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

8 ай бұрын

You’re welcome!

Thanks for the video. Ill be visiting Jaco for 3 or 4 months here soon.

It looks as though it would be easy to be vegan in Costa Rica. Lovely. Thank you.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!! We have some fabulous Vegan restaurants here in Jaco as well !

Thanks for the tour. I learned a lot.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome! I am glad to hear that :D

Super interesting! We’re heading to Costa Rica next week and we can’t wait.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

I am glad you enjoyed the video! Hope you have a wonderful time in Costa Rica!

Spot on Sarah! Great video. Auto Marcado is like Publix in the states.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Dave! Glad you enjoyed the video!

Damn you beat me too it lol I was just working on my grocery store video this morning! :) Nice truck !

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

i miss shopping at the first spot you went to when i was living there, definintely my favourite

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad I could bring back some fond memories for you :)

Great Job!!! Thank You for the tours... :-)

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

I am glad you enjoyed Andrew! It's my pleasure.

Hey! Look at you go and grow, Keep up the good work

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! :D

22 years away from Costa Rica ..make me watch these videos to update myself ..I personally think may Max X menos should be my place but if i can find cheapper why not...Maxi pali , Im not open with mini super !! ...for special date as a nice wine possible i should go to Auto Mercado !! Im lost ....lol Thank you very much . Love and I miss Costa Rica !!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Sometimes I go to multiple different stores a week-- All of them have something the other doesn't a better price for something but not for other things. You'll get here and get your groove and find out what works for you!!

Thanks for that!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! :) Thanks for watching!

Ha - I've literally been shopping in MegaSuper all week during our 10-day vacation in Jaco, only to see you skip it. ;) I will say that it's had everything I've needed to look for so far, and the prices seem fair. Thanks for the great videos!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Valid point! MegaSuper is another option as well :) Thank you for your input and I hope you enjoyed your vacation!

@twist14

2 жыл бұрын

@@SarahElenaDesignsLife - enjoyed it so much that I’m now considering buying a place here! 😉

@6789axe

2 жыл бұрын

Walmart is buying all the Supermarket in Costa Rica.

@jcherrera104

2 жыл бұрын

I went to visit Costa Rica in March of 2020 . My family is from there infact 95% of them live there. And so when I was there I was taken to a automarcado and the way it was described seem to me like a wholefoods Except it was like a regular supermarket with wholefoods prices lol I still do not understand it. I tell my aunt who shops there Why would you pay three times more then pali or mega super for a item . I get some items that you can't find anywhere else but why lol to each there own I guess. I loved visiting though, it was twenty years since I step onto that soil only sad part was that they had so many restrictions that seeing family was tough

I’m Costa Rican. Sarah probably did not know but megasuper has the cheapest prices among all the stores she mentioned.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Nick for you input! Here in Jaco, I find Megasuper to be pricier for some items but a good option as well.

@nickbrooks7171

2 жыл бұрын

@@SarahElenaDesignsLife ahhh. Yeah makes sense

2 жыл бұрын

"La nacional" is the cheapest of them all, is a chinese owned chain of supermarkets, i'd advise not to buy meat or dairies there, but everything already packed like tuna or rice is fine.

@nickbrooks7171

2 жыл бұрын

@ as a Costa Rican I had never heard of la nacíonal.

@Chimurry

7 ай бұрын

Chinese-owned supermarkets come in different brand names, it's Walmart's competition, Automercado focuses on quality

Nice tour. Thanks. Walmart also owns Más por menos. The Walmart is the higher end, más x menos is the middle and Pali is the lower end more pallet shopping.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your feedback Keith! I am glad you enjoyed the video.

@Keith-jl9ll

2 жыл бұрын

Cmg. I totally agree with you that the best prices for fruits and vegetables are at our local mini supers too. Either that or at the feria at Cenada here in San José.

@elkarlos814

2 жыл бұрын

They also own Mega Super, Maxi Pali and Hyper Más

Hola Saludos desde san Ramón de Alajuela Costa Rica.

English is not my language . I heard: I do buy my dogs clothes here and I said ok she buys clothes for her dog very regularly and then I played it again to find out if the clothes was for her daughter or dog then i noticed she said food haha

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

😂😂😂 can you imagine if I dressed up Azu. I don’t think he would enjoy that…

This is excellent! $7 for limes, bloody hell!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you John! I am glad you enjoyed the video!

Subcribed

Thank you…I totally agree with what you said about Automercado….I was hoping you’d stop at the dairy section of Automercado and see if they possibly have what I really miss when I come to CR….cheeses…Parmigiana Reggiana, Pecorino Romano and Cheddar are all I need lol…I wouldn’t mind paying the extra $$$ either

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Bev! Yes you can find some of these cheeses there at Automercado

@bevh4408

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sarah! Everything else I’ll go to cheaper stores, and also my favorite, the outdoor markets..can’t wait to go back❤️

I always go to the “smaller” stores, specially if they are family owned. Saludos. Pura Vida!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Love it! Pura Vida!

@comosediceesoo681

2 жыл бұрын

El chino

Hi Sarah, Watching this video for the second time 😊great job 👍🏻. We have a place in the Potrero area we will be there in March for a few months, our daughter is coming to visit with our granddaughter. I know you have been raising your daughter there so my question is. Will we be able to find baby formula ( Enfamil) in CR? Also thinking of doing a road trip to Jaco for a few nights, Is there anyplace you would recommend to stay? Do you still live there?

I would load up on banana bread my grandma use to make it and I love it. I’m debating now if I’m going to try living in Mexico or Costa Rica.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Excellent! I hope watching videos from my channel can help you in making your big decision!

Another great video! Just curious to know why you think seeing Coors Light at one one of the stores in your video was so hilarious to you? 😁 i like Coors Light 🍺🍺🍺 Cheers!!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

haha!! Cheers! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

Helpful video. Random question - have you bumped into Paula Saladino aka CarnivoreMD?

From Heredia greetings ,, 👍😃🙏🏼🇨🇷

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Greetings to you!

Hola Sarah, thank you for your videos. I have a question; what car do you recommend to purchase in CR? Chevy Tracker or Suzuki Sidekick are good options? I heard Toyotas and Hondas are super expensive down there. Thank you

Is milk readily available? I noticed you did mention it. Thank you very much!

Never enough shopping baskets in Mas x Menos! Still, prefer to be dropping my shopping in Jaco than well basketted in Blighty. Missing Jaco, thanks for a bit of ordinary life.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Haha, I can agree to that!! You're welcome :)

Sarah, are you living in Jaco now ? Thought you were still in Uvita. Would love to hear more about what you liked about where you have lived as well as what you did not like and reasons for moving. I want to move there someday. I feel I would like the Souther Pacific Zone. Just not sure what area I might like best. Thanks !!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Joe.. Thank you for your comment. I am currently living in Jaco but have lived in many places throughout Costa Rica- Each one to me has had something special about it. I enjoy moving around and exploring. If you would like to discuss your potential move in more detail please feel free to book a call with me: www.lasarahelena.com/book/ . Thank you :)

i am moving on retirement in june like your visios

As a handicapped person I shop Mas x Menos. They have an electric cart, and literally bring it out to my car whenever they see me pull up in the parking lot.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

That is wonderful to hear Robert! And thank you for the suggestion for others :)

Great video, thank you. Can you find tofu or nutritional yeast in any of these stores?

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, I am glad you enjoyed this video! Yes in select markets and health food stores.

i was thinking of going to playa del coco but alot of sun how is rental in jaco

Sarah!!! You are muy bella.

I drive by an automercado every week and go in to get a couple of things I can only find there, but obviously I end up buying some other regular stuff because I'm already there, so yeah so much money down the drain every time...

Looking forward to the fresh food shopping. How about fish markets at the docks?

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

We have a Fish Market here in Jaco , it's in town. In Tarcoles and Puntarenas you can get fish straight from the docks !

@Mareen333

2 жыл бұрын

@@SarahElenaDesignsLife thanks Sarah, do you know of any south of Dominical?

@elkarlos814

2 жыл бұрын

There is a small fish store in Dominicalito across from the entrance to La Parcela. You can also buy direct from the pescadores on the beach. Entrance by the small cemetery.

@Mareen333

2 жыл бұрын

@@elkarlos814 thank you so much! Much better to buy locally than have to travel a distance.

Mas x Menos, Pali and Maxi Pali are all owned by Walmart.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Correct

Im going to Dominical in a couple of weeks. If I’m buying random souvenirs or small restaurants, can I pay in US dollars or do I need to get some Colones first? Also, what’s your fav place to eat/drink in Dominical?

@boxingfan4148

2 жыл бұрын

just was there end of June, they seem to take the dollar almost everywhere, and the cash register can switch from dollars to Colon's bring alot of singles and small bills. I had a blast there!

@boxingfan4148

2 жыл бұрын

try the smaller restaurants called soda's i thought the food was better at these places, more mom and pop type.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Most places will accept USD but when you get change it will be in Colones. I love "Phat Noodle" in Dominical as well mentioned below Sodas have the authentic Costa Rican food and good prices !

She is beautiful and love her videos. Hopefully she knows what's going on a global scale which will have a big impact on Cost Rica here pretty soon

@katherinejardine4664

2 жыл бұрын

What’s gonna happen in Costa Rica?

@davidallan2951

2 жыл бұрын

What's going on ??a global. ..scale ?I don't even know ....

It is heartbreaking. Beautiful local store but forced masquerade is not for me, still searching for a place on this earth. All the best Sarah…

interesting could be to see the prices ........

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

I have a video of prices from the Jaco farmers market which I hope will be helpful in getting a general idea. I will try to go back in as well to get some prices of common items inside the grocery store.

Hey Sarah, I wanna move with my gf in Costa Rica and our mounthly budget is $2000-3000 and I’m not sure if it’s enough for a good living( house , car, amazing internet for work, shoping etc) In the case if we will decide to move, how can I get in touch with you if we’ll need some help with accommodation?!

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Hello! I am very excited that you are considering moving to Costa Rica! CR is what you make of it, and your monthly spending depends on your expectations but yes it is very possible to live on that budget here in CR. If you are interested in utilizing my services to help you with your move please visit my website for more details: www.lasarahelena.com/ . I also have a "Rental only" option where I just assist you in finding a rental , it's not listed on my website so if you are interested in that only send me an email at Support@lasarahelena.com . Thank you!!!

As for Automercado inflated prices well it is exactly the places you need to avoid . The place is gorgeous inside . Looks beautiful just how Americans like but they also think prices must be like in USA but the problem is that they have it MORE expensive. That is why there are some places Like hotels, stores , car rentals etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc that you need to avoid bc they think every American is super reach

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

It can be comforting to get some familiar items that you can't find elsewhere! But yes it is a pricy option

@nickbrooks7171

2 жыл бұрын

@@SarahElenaDesignsLife Sarah many Americans live Costa Rica bc they find it price. I think they must buy and spend smart including A/C, electricity, dishwasher and all that sh*t lol

Sarah has it been raining a lot in that area?

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

The rain is starting to pick up now but overall hasn't been bad !

So you are a costa rica local? What made you move there?

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Keep watching my KZread channel :) I have documented my entire journey.

Hi, I was wondering if grocery stores cashiers sit in Costa Rica?

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Jessie & thank you for your question - I have not seen any that sit.

@jessiec2220

2 жыл бұрын

@@SarahElenaDesignsLife thank you for answering! My dream is to live in Jaco soon! I can’t stand another Canadian winter

What about the meat and fish department.

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

We have a Fish Market in the town of Jaco!

Where is the first store (El Zarcereno)? No link in the description as promised. google maps takes me to SJO > Help ! :-)

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Here you go!! maps.google.com?q=9.6102447,-84.6218296&hl=en-US&gl=us&entry=gps&lucs=s2se

And it’s Walmart

Is there any houses for sale for 50,000$ in the country?

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Yes , but I would say you get what you pay for.

@elkarlos814

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, but be prepared.to live amongst barking dogs and theft.

@thelifeofmaribel77

2 жыл бұрын

@@elkarlos814 not everywhere Sir. I’ve been in Costa Rica in the country side Cotobrus San Isidro. Not city Sir. Punta arena punta Morales I know the places I want.

Why are you wearing a mask Sarah? Do they require it?

You have a kid? Do you pay for private school?

@SarahElenaDesignsLife

2 жыл бұрын

Yes I do & she does go to private school. If you are planning to move to Costa Rica with children they will not be able to attend public schools (which is all taught in Spanish) until you & they are legal residents.

@holasusana4611

2 жыл бұрын

@@SarahElenaDesignsLife gotcha. How much is private school per month if you don't mind me asking.

Where is the dog? If you're not happy being single, you won't be happy in a relationship. Relationships don't make people happy...dogs do :) -author unknown

Camera work is not good. Makes me dizzy