The Artisans’ Cooperative of Santa Elena and Monteverde (CASEM, tel. 506/2645-5190, www.monteverdeinfo.com/casem [1], 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun.) features the handmade wares of 140 local artisans.
Monteverde [2] boasts numerous excellent galleries. Atmosfera Art Gallery (tel. 506/2645-6555) has superb wood sculptures, as does Artes Tulio (tel. 506/2645-5567, www.artestulio.com [3], 9 a.m.–6 p.m. daily), which sells the exquisite creations of gifted artist Marco Tulio Brenes.
Bromelia’s (tel. 506/2645-6272, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily, until 10 p.m. Thurs.) sells books and quality batiks, jewelry, and carvings.
The most impressive selection is at the Art House (tel. 506/2645-5275, www.monteverdearthouse.com [4]), serving as both a workshop and gallery for everything from papier-mâché to pottery.
The Hummingbird Gallery (tel. 506/2645-5030, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily), 100 meters below the entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve [5], is well stocked with souvenirs.
In Santa Elena [2], Librería Chunches (tel./fax 506/2645-5147, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri.) sells English-language magazines and newspapers, plus natural history books and laminated Costa Rican Field Guides.
Links:
[1] http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/casem
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/guanacaste-and-the-northwest/monteverde-and-santa-elena
[3] http://www.artestulio.com
[4] http://www.monteverdearthouse.com
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/costa-rica/guanacaste-and-the-northwest/monteverde-and-santa-elena/sights/monteverde-cloud-forest-biological-reserv