Hiking through Costa Rica, you’ll stumble upon pulperías—little neighborhood stores that are a whole lot more than just shops. They’re your local hangouts, your go-to spot for everything from a cold drink to a friendly chat.
Inside, you’ll find a colorful mix of stuff: sodas, ice cream, eggs, fresh fruit, and maybe a TV tuned to a soccer match. It’s like a tiny grocery store, a convenience store, and a community center all rolled into one.
So, where does the name “pulpería” come from? Well, one fun theory is that it’s linked to the Spanish word for octopus, pulpo. Picture a busy shopkeeper reaching behind the counter, grabbing stuff with both hands—it kinda looks like an octopus, right?
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