In the video below, Costa Rica correspondent Jason Holland shows us his local Feria in Grecia, a small town in the Central Valley of Costa Rica located about an hour northwest of the capital, San Jose.

A great way to cut down on your cost of living in Costa Rica is to go to the Feria, the weekly farmers’ market, for fresh fruits and vegetables.

In the U.S., this healthy habit can cost a fortune. But by shopping like the locals you can spend 50% less (or save even more) and get your produce straight off the farmer’s truck.

Here’s just a small sample of what you’ll find…

Avocados at four for $2. Tomatoes for 75 cents per kilo (2.2 pounds). Pineapples for $1 or less. Heads of lettuce just 75 cents – $1 for premium varieities. Mangoes – 3 kilos (6 ½ pounds) for $2. Three large cucumbers for just $1.25. Plus, you can buy passion fruit, guanabana and other tropical fruit you don’t see much in the States.

Ferias can be found in towns across Costa Rica. They also sell meat, cheese, fish, herbs, eggs, fresh bread, and honey—if it’s fresh, it’s at the Feria. And it’s cheap.

I spend around $30 to $35 a week to fill the fridge for me and my family. I love making guacamole with the fresh ingredients I pick. With the cheap avocadoes, tomatoes, limes, and cilantro, I can whip up a batch for a couple of bucks. And, of course, with all that tropical fruit, smoothies with papaya, strawberries, blackberries, bananas, mango, and more are a must every morning.

Going to the Feria is an experience. Farmers brag about their produce and hand out samples. Hawkers shout out the daily deals. And there’s often a local music group playing.

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