Groceries in Puerto Viejo:
Upscale Supermarkets, Local Markets, and Real Prices (2026)

The Food Scene That Surprises Every New Arrival

One of the most consistent surprises for Americans who move to Puerto Viejo is the food. Before arriving, many imagine a small Caribbean outpost with limited options — perhaps a few small shops, some local produce, and not much else. What they find instead is a remarkably well-supplied food environment: well-stocked international supermarkets, vibrant local markets overflowing with tropical produce, organic options, and fresh Caribbean seafood at prices that feel almost impossibly low by American standards.

Food is one of the genuine joys of life in Puerto Viejo. Here is everything you need to know about where to shop and what to expect to pay. For the full cost of living picture, see our hub: Cost of Living in Costa Rica for American Retirees: The Complete Guide.

The Supermarkets — Better Than You Expect

BM Supermercado

The largest and best-stocked full-service supermarket in Puerto Viejo, BM (Buen Mercado) carries an impressive range of products — fresh produce, meats, dairy, international packaged goods, cleaning products, and a solid selection of health and organic items. The produce section is excellent, with both local and imported fruits and vegetables. English-speaking staff are available. For a Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo's size, BM punches well above its weight in terms of variety and quality.

Más x Menos

Más x Menos is part of the Walmart-owned Super de Bodega chain and operates a location in the broader Talamanca region. It offers reliable pricing, consistent stock, and a wide selection of packaged goods, frozen items, and household products. For staple items and bulk buying, it is an excellent complement to local market shopping.

Local Pulperías

Every neighborhood in Puerto Viejo has at least one pulpería — the Costa Rican equivalent of a corner store. These small shops stock essentials: eggs, rice, beans, cooking oil, bread, cleaning products, and cold drinks. Prices are often lower than the supermarket for basics, and the convenience of having a pulpería a two-minute walk away is something most expats come to love.

The Farmers Market — Where the Real Value Is

The Puerto Viejo weekly farmers market is one of the highlights of community life — a vibrant gathering of local vendors selling freshly harvested produce, tropical fruits, herbs, honey, artisanal cheeses, baked goods, and Caribbean prepared foods. The prices at the market are 30 to 60% lower than supermarket prices for equivalent fresh produce, and the quality is superior — picked days rather than weeks before you buy it.

Shopping the farmers market weekly and supplementing with supermarket staples is the approach most experienced expat residents use — delivering the best combination of quality, variety, and value. At Magnolia Reserve, our kitchen team sources much of our fresh produce from local farmers and the weekly market, which is why the flavors and nutritional quality of our meals genuinely stand out.

Real Prices — What to Expect at the Market and Supermarket

Item	Local Market Price	Supermarket Price	U.S. Average
Ripe mangoes (1 kg)	$0.50–$1.00	$1.50–$2.50	$4–$7
Avocados (each)	$0.25–$0.50	$0.75–$1.50	$1.50–$2.50
Pineapple (whole)	$0.75–$1.50	$1.50–$2.50	$3–$5
Plantains (bunch)	$0.50–$1.00	$1.00–$2.00	$2–$4
Fresh eggs (12)	$2.50–$3.50	$3.00–$4.50	$4–$7
Chicken breast (1 kg)	$4–$6	$5–$8	$10–$16
Fresh fish (1 kg)	$5–$9	$8–$14	$15–$25
Rice (1 kg)	$0.80–$1.20	$1.00–$1.50	$2–$4
Black beans (1 kg)	$1.00–$1.50	$1.50–$2.50	$3–$5
Full weekly shop (1 person)	$30–$50	$60–$100	$100–$200