First Starbucks in Costa Rica opens in Escazú

The first Starbucks opened Wednesday in Plaza Avenida Escazú, southwest of San José. Local media gave the inauguration heaps of attention (while social networks debated the merits of indulging in Starbucks in a country quite proud of its own coffee brand), and 30 people waited in line for the coffeehouse to open its doors at 7:30 a.m.

A cup of coffee at the store costs more than your average Costa Rican brew. A small Starbucks coffee goes for 1,100 ($2.20) to 1,700 ($3.40) for a large. The trademark Frappuccinos start at 1,800 ($3.60).

The hours for Starbucks will be 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday and 7 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. The famous coffee shop will include in its blends, a Costa Rican bean from Bella Vista Coffee, of Tres Ríos, southeast of San José.