Gate-side panic buys happen here: BRITT SHOP in Terminal A
Inside Terminal A’s airside zone, BRITT SHOP runs 24 horas and catches everyone who skipped the Café Britt factory store, city branches, or a supermarket run. Shelves are stacked with the familiar Britt coffee bags, chocolate-covered coffee beans, and pre-made gift packs that first-time visitors suddenly remember 40 minutes before boarding. It’s the last easy stop for Costa Rica–branded souvenirs before you hit passport control and your gate.
Prices here run higher than in town; frequent visitors on TripAdvisor say the same 340–400 g coffee bags and chocolate boxes cost noticeably less at Walmart, AutoMercado, or the Britt factory store. One reviewer flat out said they "paid the airport premium" at SJO after running out of time in San José. Think of it as paying extra for location and 24-hour access rather than hunting for deals.
Use BRITT SHOP for compact items: vacuum-sealed coffee bags that won’t explode at 35,000 feet, sealed chocolate boxes that pack flat, and multi-pack samplers that cover several relatives with one purchase. Skip overly bulky gift baskets that chew up carry-on space before a 5–6 hour flight. If you care about freshness, check roast or best-by dates printed on the bottom or back of the bags before you throw two or three into your basket.
Regulars in Costa Rica forums buy their Britt at supermarkets or the Heredia factory, then treat this shop as a backup when luggage ends up heavier than the 23 kg checked allowance or gifts get forgotten. Watch out for grabbing everything at once: totals climb fast when each bag of coffee or chocolate box sits at full airport pricing. One practical move: decide your budget in colones or USD before walking in and stick to just enough gifts to clear your list.