Sarchi   

Sarchí is just 30 km northwest of Alajuela, and 1 hour from San José. This village has been famous for its fine handicraft. Sarchí has the cradle of wood crafting and decorating in Costa Rica, particularly known for its production of colorful-painted ox-carts (carretas), with their large wooden wheels developed since the turn of the century. Also, many houses in Sarchí are adorned with colorful gingerbread trim, one of the craftsmanship in wood for which this town is famous
You can find numerous gift shops offering handicrafts made of exotic tropical wood. 
Visitors will find not only the traditional oxcart in wide variety of designs and sizes, but also an amazing array of bowls, boxes, toys, statues and jewelry, as well as items in cloth, glass, bronze and other materials.
Leather goods are also sold and include belts, sandals, vests, hats and wallets. . Annually locals celebrate a colorful parade where they exhibit a large number of ox-carts.