Gate 10 in Terminal A puts TERRA VERDE right on your path
This small souvenir shop sits just by Gate 10 in Terminal A, handy if you realize at the last minute that you forgot gifts. It focuses on Costa Rica–themed souvenirs, from basic keychains and magnets to T-shirts and logo mugs. You’re airside after security, so you can duck in on the way to any A-gate departure without backtracking across the terminal.
TERRA VERDE opens at 5:00 a.m. and closes at 9:00 p.m., covering the early SJO departures and most evening flights. Pricing runs higher than downtown San José, but still within normal airport territory: small trinkets around $5–10, shirts more in the $20–30 range. Stock skews heavily to last-minute gift items rather than premium handicrafts, so don’t expect artisan-level pieces.
Selection leans on easy-pack items for carry-ons: small bags of local coffee, chocolate bars, shot glasses, and soft toys with “Costa Rica” stitched across the front. Because it’s at Gate 10 in Terminal A, it works best if your flight boards nearby; if you’re leaving from the higher A-gates, factor in a 5–10 minute walk back.
No standout complaints show up in traveler reports, and nothing screams “destination shop,” so think of TERRA VERDE as a backup option. If you want serious coffee or craft goods, buy them in the city before coming to SJO. Tip: check the price tags carefully and use up remaining colones here instead of converting them back at the currency desk.