We have friends who now live down there and they buy all their food, beer and wine at either Wal-Mart or Mega – both are a 6 block walk from the condo. I know how that might sound, but down there both are great stores with the greatest fresh food. We buy watermelons and fresh breakfast pastries (that are unbelievable), bananas, cheese and Camarones and the best cakes you’ve ever had.

I do like to buy the best coffee around and although there are a couple of Starbucks on 5th Ave., I prefer to buy coffee at Sasta which is right by one of the Starbucks, about 3 blocks south on 5th Ave. They also had wonderful pastries and it’s fun to sit outside, have a latte and watch the traffic walk by.

We typically go to Mega or Walmart (see map below) the second day (in the morning before it gets too hot), and buy fresh fruit, wine and snacks. We then have breakfast on our balcony. Before dinner we open up a bottle of wine and have drinks and snacks on the balcony.

If you like to cook, you will find a terrific selection of seafood at both Walmart and Mega. We love the Camarones – large shrimp that taste more like lobster than shrimp. You can get a pound for $6. We take them home and cook them with a little olive oil, garlic, chili pepper and oregano. You won’t believe how good it is.

Eveann came up with the Camarone recipe and Laura has learned to duplicate it.

There are several upscale wine stores in the area.  I highly recommend one on First Ave. about 2 blocks north of Constitutiyente.  They also do a wine tasting on Thursdays with a terrific dinner for about $60

You'll see WalMart, Mega as well as La Quinta (5th Ave.) and Constituyentes