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Plaza Iztarú is a small neighborhood shopping center located in Cartago, Costa Rica, approximately 25 kilometers east of San Jose, near the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC), about 400 meters west of its main entrance. The property covers an estimated 5,000-10,000 square meters of gross leasable area, with around 20-30 tenants focused on daily necessities and convenience retail. It serves a local catchment area of 50,000-100,000 residents in the urban core of Cartago, a province with over 500,000 inhabitants characterized by middle-income households and a mix of agricultural, manufacturing, and educational influences.
The tenant mix emphasizes essential services: anchor Fresh Market supermarket for groceries, a pharmacy, drugstore, basic clothing stores, and casual dining options including a homemade food restaurant, sushi outlet, and cafeteria. This configuration supports quick errands rather than extended shopping trips, with limited entertainment or luxury offerings. In the broader Costa Rican retail market, Cartago represents a secondary hub outside the capital, with regional occupancy rates around 85-90% for similar small centers, driven by stable local demand but challenged by proximity to larger San Jose malls that draw higher-spending consumers.
Leasing advantages include lower rent levels compared to metropolitan areas, flexible short-term leases suitable for local independents, and proximity to student and family demographics that favor value-oriented retail. However, potential drawbacks encompass limited footfall due to absence of anchors like cinemas, competition from informal markets and e-commerce, and infrastructure constraints in an aging facility, which may require tenant investments for upkeep.
Overall, the center positions well for grocers, pharmacies, and quick-service eateries targeting budget-conscious locals, with annual sales per square meter estimated at 4,000-5,000 USD, below national averages of 6,000 USD but stable amid 1.5% population growth.
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Hours of Operation
Hours
| Monday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Thursday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | 07:00 AM — 10:00 PM |
Hours may vary on public holidays. Check with individual stores for specific holiday schedules.
Insights
Demographic Profile
Cartagos demographic features a median age of 30-35 years, with household sizes averaging 3.1 persons and 25% tertiary education attainment, bolstered by the nearby TEC university attracting 10,000+ students annually. Median household income ranges from 800-1,500 USD monthly, supporting demand for affordable groceries, health products, and casual apparel, per regional data. However, 11% unemployment and reliance on agriculture introduce spending volatility, particularly in non-essential categories, posing risks for discretionary retailers. Retail spending per capita stands at 2,500 USD yearly, with 800 USD allocated to groceries, aligning with Plaza Iztarús convenience focus but limiting upscale opportunities.
Competitive Landscape
Local competition includes larger venues like Centro Comercial Cartago (20,000 sqm, 90-95% occupancy, 6,000-12,000 daily footfall) offering cinemas and fashion anchors, drawing 20-30% of regional traffic, while smaller plazas and street markets saturate basic grocery segments. San Jose centers such as Multiplaza Escazú siphon higher-income shoppers via superior variety. E-commerce penetration at 75% internet access adds pressure, with 15% sales via click-and-collect. Plaza Iztarús niche in proximity to TEC provides steady student traffic, but lacks differentiation, resulting in estimated 1,000-2,000 daily visitors and potential 10-15% traffic erosion from rivals.
Accessibility and Operational Quality
Situated along key routes like Ruta 10, the center benefits from good public bus connectivity to San Jose (25-minute drive) and on-site parking for 100-200 vehicles, though peak-hour congestion on local roads hampers access. Pedestrian traffic is moderate from nearby residential areas and TEC, but limited signage and aging infrastructure, including potential HVAC issues, may elevate operational costs for tenants. Security features basic guards and CCTV, with low retail crime rates. Lease terms typically span 3-5 years at 15-25 USD per sqm monthly plus 10% CAM, with inflation escalations of 3-5%, offering affordability but requiring vigilance on maintenance responsibilities amid Cartagos variable weather impacting footfall during rainy seasons.
Building Details
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City Snapshot
Cartago
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Cartago
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