Costa Rican Fashion Brands You Need To Check Out

Costa Rica is a country full of talent, including incredible musicians, artists, traditional artisans, architects, writers, and photographers. There are also some noteworthy designers who have developed unique fashion brands, many of which are environmentally friendly and exude the true essence of Costa Rica. Here are some of the local brands in Costa Rica that you should definitely check out, especially if you are looking to bring something unique and locally made home from your trip.

SURFarte Costa Rica

SURFarte is based in the small surf town of Playa Grande in Guanacaste. The creative duo started out mainly making T-shirts, but have since expanded into custom surfboard art, bags, stickers, and commissioned pieces. The brand and the artwork are truly unique, oftentimes comical, and a beautiful example of what can happen if you follow your dreams. You can find SURFarte at local surf shops, cafés, and restaurants in Playa Grande including at Rip Jack Inn, Weirdo’s Cafe, and Frijoles Locos, but they are expanding into other surf towns such as Playa Guiones.

Salvaje Swimwear

Nomadic Collector

Nomadic Collector is a gorgeous bag brand that has redefined luxury fashion. They believe that luxury is defined by “substance, it’s found in the artistry of details, the craftsman behind the work, the richness of the materials and our connection with nature.” Nomadic Collector uses only the finest sustainably sourced materials to create one-of-a-kind leather and wooden bags.

Monkey Bizness

Monkey Bizness is a local accessories company in Costa Rica. The handmade bags, jewelry, and T-shirts feature adorable sloths, a pura vida motif, Diá de la Muerte art, and tropical patterns. A lot of the bags and accessories also use recycled materials. This is an amazing brand to support if you are looking to bring home a unique souvenir.

Ek Art Jewelry

Ek Art Jewelry is a small jewelry shop based in Tamarindo. The jewelry duo design and create some of the most stunning and unique creations using real metals and natural objects such as fossilized shark teeth and sand dollars, rare crystals and gemstones, and even sea glass and sea pottery. If you want to bring back something from Costa Rica that is truly unique, made locally, and an exquisite reminder of your adventure here, this is the brand you need to check out.

Obra Gris

Famous designer Oscar Ruiz-Schmidt is the mastermind behind the environmentally conscious Costa Rican brand Obra Gris. Based out of San José, the concept behind this contemporary brand is to create sustainable, timeless, and versatile mix-and-match pieces. What’s amazing about this brand is that they create almost zero waste during production.

Cuero Papel & Tijera

Cuero Papel & Tijera is a Costa Rican leather company created by designer Sofia Protti Coto. Inspired by a deeply rooted family tradition in art and leather craftsmanship, and in particular her grandfather’s passion for leather artistry, Sofia Protti Coto started this contemporary and high-end leather company, where she designs and creates handbags, purses, backpacks, briefcases, and accessories. The designs and colors are inspired by Costa Rica’s beautiful and diverse landscapes, as well as the Costa Rican way of life.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.