The Central Market (Mercado Central), the Borbón and the market located in the area known as the “Coca Cola Terminal” in downtown San José are historic landmarks, the Central Market for instance was established in 1880; these markets offer visitors an example of the Costa Rica of the past, and have a variety of handmade crafts, souvenirs and local products at great prices that attract local and international visitors.

“Tres Grandes Josefinos” (Three Greats of San Jose), is the name of a proposal to transform these markets into cultural and tourism spaces. The remodeling process would be part of the project “Strengthening of the Public Urban Territorial Management” (Gestión Pública Urbano Territorial) of the Costa Rica Technological Institute (ITCR) and the initiative of the San José Municipality as part of the San José Historic Center program which began in 2013 with the idea of rescuing the urban spaces between avenues 7 and 10 and streets 9 and 12.

This ambitious initiative hopes to attract more national and international tourists that are interested in learning of the country’s traditions, identity and idiosyncrasy; therefore it involves not only a complete remodeling of the current structures (respecting their local “look”), but also the surrounding areas, including streets, sidewalks, parking spaces, accesses and bus stops.

The identity of each will be respected, with the Central Market focusing in gastronomy and handmade crafts; the Borbón Market is more like a farmers market while La Coca Cola Market is known for its many hardware stores.

The plan is already moving forward starting with the Borbón market located in the 8th Street, Avenues 3 and 5 and which has been around since 1950, the renovation strategy was already planned out by the ITCR and Coopeborbón R.L. which owns the public space. The strategy includes updated blueprints, a diagnosis of its biggest problems, a new business model and the renovation of its spaces to maximize the use of the available area and providing adequate access to the disabled population. The remodeling of this market would involve an investment of over US$350,000.00.

Three years is the estimated time to have the three markets renovated and the work in the surrounding areas completed, the plan for the Coca Cola Market and the area that surrounds it is just starting and will likely require the biggest investment, approximately US$860,000.00.

The last space to be intervened will be the Central Market.