Gate-side RUMBO PURA VIDA in Terminal A runs 24/7
In Terminal A at SJO, RUMBO PURA VIDA stays open 24 horas, which helps if you land on a late Copa or early Avianca flight and still need last-minute gifts. It sits airside after security, so you can grab souvenirs without leaving the gate area or watching the immigration clock. Think of it as the “I forgot to buy anything in San José” safety net before boarding.
This shop focuses on Costa Rica souvenirs: logo T‑shirts with “Pura Vida” prints, small bags of local coffee, fridge magnets, and shot glasses, usually priced higher than downtown but acceptable for airport shopping. Coffee gift packs often run a few thousand colones more than city supermarkets, but you trade that for not hunting around Escazú the night before. Stock level holds up even on the 23:00–03:00 bank of departures.
Selection leans heavily into quick-grab items that fit in a personal item or small backpack, so think keychains, stickers, and soft toys rather than bulky ceramics. Staff generally speak both Spanish and basic English and can ring up payments in colones or US dollars, though you’ll get change in colones. Card terminals handle the usual Visa and Mastercard; AMEX works most of the time but can be glitchy.
One practical tip: if coffee is the goal, check roasting or expiry dates on the bags and then compare prices with the other souvenir stand farther down Terminal A before paying; the same brand can be a couple of dollars cheaper just one shop away.