Golfito Top Services

Tourist Information

There is a tourist information office in front of the main dock. In addition to maps, brochures and the like, it also provides internet access. Open Mon-Fri. 8a.m.-4p.m. Samoa del Sur also serves as a tour office, offering free WiFi and public restrooms. The Solid car rental office is also loated here. Tel:075-0233

Keeping in Touch

Banana Bay has two computers with internet available to anyone who consumes something (like a coffee) at the restaurant. Open 6a.m.- 8 or 9 p.m. Post Office Mon-fri 8a.m.-12p.m. and 1p.m. -4:30 p.m., Sat 7:30a.m.-11:30a.m. Accepts major credit cards.

Money

CoopeAlianza

Mon-Fri. 8a.m.-5p.m., Sat. 8a.m.-12 p.m. 24 hour ATM. Do not accept traveler´s checks. Banco Nacional de Costa Rica does, however.

Medical

Farmacia Golfito: Tel: 2 775-2442, 8a.m.-12p.m., 1p.m.-7p.m. Across from the park.

Golfito Hospital has decent facilities and can handle medical consultations and emergencies. Any major medical operations, however, such as surgeries have to be transferred to San Jose. Tel: 775-0011.

Shopping

Golfito has some nice boutiques and souveneir / artisan craft stores scattered along the main road, but the main shopping attraction here is El Deposito Libre – a giant, duty free shopping complex near the airport. Here you can find everything from liquor to video cameras. The Deposito Libre has a good website (although it’s in Spanish only) with a map of how to get to the complex as well as a map of the complex itself. It also lists many of the stores inside, what kind of goods they offer and their contact information. The complex is open Tuesday to Saturday, 8a.m.-4:30p.m. and Sundays 7a.m.-2p.m. URL: www.golfito.biz/shopping-at-golfito.html

NOTE: To make purchases at the Dipositivo Libre, you must first go to the main office to request an authorization card called a TAC (Tarjeta de Austorizacion de Compra). The card is free – all you need to do is present some form of identification such as a passport, but it must be obtained one day in advance and cannot be issued to minors. The spending limit is $500 per individual and $1,000 per family. The Dipositivo office is open Monday from 1p.m.-8p.m. and Tuesday to Saturday 8a.m.-8p.m.

Tienda Salma

A small women’s boutique that sells jewelry, shoes dressy and casual clothes. Shorts and skirts are priced between about $30 and $40. The shop is connected to a pulperia that has some useful sundries such as umbrellas. Located past the park on the opposite side of the street. Open 8a.m.-12p.m. and 2p.m.-7p.m. Mon-Sat.

Libreria Christiana Mariah

This small store is stuffed with beach wear and great souveneirs. Hand-carved wooden boxes; inexpensive, hand-made jewelry; purses; women’s shoes; flip-flops; hammocks; T-shirts ($10-$20) and sarongs ($20) are some of the things you’ll find here, as well as some religious items. Located past the park on the opposite side of the street. Tel:2 775-1106.

Divas Boutique

Divas has racks of unique, colorful, trendy clothes. Pants run $20-$40, shirts and blouses $8-$40 and dresses $30-$40. You can also find clothes here more appropriate for the beach such as flip flops, board shorts and jean capris. Open Mon-Sat. 9:30a.m.-12p.m. and 1p.m.-6p.m.