The Guanacaste region around Santa Cruz is one of the few places in Central America where pre-Columbian Chorotega ceramic traditions have survived in continuous use. The village of Guaitil, about 15 km east of Santa Cruz, is the centre of this craft — almost every household produces pottery using techniques and designs descended from the indigenous Chorotega people who lived here before the Spanish arrival.
The pottery uses local clay and natural pigments, fired using traditional open-fire methods. Designs feature geometric patterns and animal figures drawn from Chorotega symbolism. Visiting Guaitil from Santa Cruz is easy by taxi or local bus, and you can watch potters at work in their open-air workshops, buy pieces directly from the makers, and see the full production process from raw clay to finished pot. The work is genuinely excellent and makes for a far more meaningful souvenir than anything sold in the beach resorts.