Green Center Organic Supermarket — Local services in San Rafael

One of the positive aspects of this supermarket is that they are one of the few sources for organic products in the area. I’ve been a loyal customer for years.

Unfortunately, during a recent visit while they were building a new wine section, a repairman in the store caused a sudden, huge electrical flash as I turned the corner...resulting in what I later learned was a flash burn to my eye. I experienced intense light sensitivity for weeks, had to wear an eye patch or dark sunglasses, and was forced to cancel work and travel commitments, including missing my uncle’s funeral.

When I reported this to the store, my concern was completely dismissed. I was told according to security footage, the flash occurred "10 meters away," that I "looked fine" when leaving the store, and that "no one else was injured." However, sensitivity to light and eye injury symptoms can be deeply personal and don’t always present immediately. Mine hit about 10 min after leaving the store, when I couldn't open my left eye to drive.

I share this to express deep concern about how the situation was handled. Safety incidents—however rare—deserve to be taken seriously, especially in customer-facing environments. I hope this feedback helps create a more empathetic and responsible approach in the future. Basic customer safety should be a guarantee when shopping in general, and most especially for health food...

You get what you pay for. Is it easier and cheaper to buy product at a roadside stand? Yes. But is the quality worth driving out of your way and paying slightly more? Big yes.

Costa Rica uses the most amount of agrochemicals per hectare in the entire world, aaaaand the govt has a 14% tax on organic food. Do what you will that knowledge, but i appreciate being able to find decent priced staples and some other "fun" purchases here in all ways. Especially glad for their pasture raised meats, grass fed beef tallow, non-seed oils, organic wines, and natural health products like deodorant/toothpaste etc.

I've seen both extranjeros and ticos shopping here, which fortifies...

While living in the way southern zona sur of CR at the beach is INCREDIBLE, it is virtually impossible to get the things a happy health conscious individual needs. I’m so happy to return to the market ( after the pandemic) to find my organic mung beans, beautiful essential oils, local farmed goods- & way, way more. My dear, beautiful friend lives only one km from the store, though she had never visited this market. We had fun while we stocked up on amazing smelling things and chocolates and just had a lovely time shopping. For me, it’s important & I like to support the smaller businesses & the slightly higher price is...