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Sarchi Oxcarts Factory & Souvenirs Shooping Experience

San José · Central Valley & San José

Sarchi Oxcarts & Souvenir Shopping Private Tour

5.0from 4 traveler ratings6hPrivate tour

Ratings aggregated by Viator and Tripadvisor. ToursCR does not collect its own reviews.

About this experience

Visiting Sarchi is a great experience for anyone who wants to know and enjoy Costa Rican art, since this small town is considered the cradle of Costa Rican crafts. A national symbol of Costa Rica, the oxcart plays a key role in the country’s history. They were used to transport coffee beans & other goods to nearby and faraway markets and ports. Starting in 1840’s most of the rural roads were very rough making the ox cart the sole means of transportation for families even though the trips could take weeks at times. Highly ornate, these oxcarts are elegantly craved and are usually hand-painted with bright colors. The painting of the ox cart is a Costa Rican tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. The largest and oldest oxcart factory is also found in Sarchi. The Joaquin Chaverri Oxcart Factory was built in 1902, and is considered to be the birthplace of oxcart handicrafts in Costa Rica. Our tour is operated in a 100% private basis.

Description supplied by the tour operator via Viator.

Getting there

Hotel pickup in San José

Picks up at 119 listed locations, including:

  • Hotel Portal Colonial
  • Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Escazu
  • Aparthotel Casa Reflejos
  • Ananta Wellness & Retreat
  • Hotel Terrazas Boutique
  • Hotel Bougainvillea
  • +113 more

Pickup details are confirmed with the operator during booking.

Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.

Where

Fabrica de Carretas Eloy Alfaro

What you'll do

  1. On this tour you will be visiting the picturesque town of Sarchi and its colourful souvenir stores and oxcart factories. Eloy Alfaro was the pioneer Oxcart Factory and till now they have the first water mill used in the factory. At this time it is a living musseum of the history of Sarchi. Now days, enjoy the large souvenir store with many and diverse souvenirs hand crafted.

    1h here

  2. Alajuela is a province of Costa Rica located just besides the Capital City San Jose. It is the province where is located the international airport. The province offer many touristy attractions, including volcanoes, waterfalls, coffee plantations, dairy farms and more.

    Drive past, no stop

  3. Sarchi Norte and Sarchi Sur are the most famous craft center in Costa Rica. The city has more than 200 stores and small factories that function as family businesses for woodworking. They produce wooden bowls, tableware, folding furniture, wooden and leather rocking chairs and a wide variety of souvenir craft items. The most popular items are the elaborately painted "ox carts" that traditionally transported coffee from the Central Valley to the port on the Pacific coast. Today it is the canton where the world's largest cart is located. The Sarchí furniture have an internationally recognized design and quality and are a true national icon.

    1h here

  4. Carretas Chaverri Sarchí's oldest and best-known factory is 1.5km southeast of the plaza in Sarchi Town. Here you can buy souvenirs and watch artisans hand-building and painting the area's famous oxcarts in the small studio in the back.

    1h here

What's included

Included

  • Private transportation
  • Lunch
  • Visit to Souvenir stores
  • Private tour guide

Not included

  • Gratuities

Good to know

  • Easy physical level

Guided in en, es.

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

The operator may cancel for poor weather, with a full refund or reschedule.

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