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Local ServicesCinema & LeisureSpecialty RetailPremium Dining & LifestyleInternational Chains

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Discount RetailBudget BrandsUltra-Luxury Positioning

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Plaza Tropicana is an open-air shopping plaza located in the Tropicana district of Alajuela, Costa Rica, approximately 5 km from Juan Santamaria International Airport.

Spanning about 10,000 sq m, it serves as a community hub with a diverse tenant mix including financial services like Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, electronics retailer iStore, and a multiplex cinema operated by Cinepolis. Dining options feature international cuisines such as Japanese ramen and sushi at Hikari, Italian at select eateries, and urban Costa Rican fare, alongside casual fast-food outlets.

Retail spaces cater to everyday needs with pharmacies, clothing stores, and convenience shops. Alajuela's retail market, part of the greater San Jose metropolitan area, benefits from population growth exceeding 2% annually and proximity to industrial zones and tourism routes. Footfall estimates range from 4,000 to 8,000 daily visitors, driven by local middle-class residents and airport traffic.

Occupancy rates hover around 85-90%, per regional commercial reports, with rent levels averaging $18-25 per sq m monthly, offering affordability for small-format retailers.

Leasing advantages include short-term flexibility (1-3 years) and promotional support through plaza events. However, challenges arise from competition with larger venues like City Mall Alajuela, which reports over 10 million annual visits, and potential access issues during peak traffic on Route 1. Costa Ricas retail sector projects 2.5% growth in 2025, supported by tourism recovery and stable consumer spending, though e-commerce penetration at 15% impacts physical foot traffic.

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Hours of Operation

Hours

Checking...
Monday09:00 AM — 07:00 PM
Tuesday09:00 AM — 07:00 PM
Wednesday09:00 AM — 07:00 PM
Thursday09:00 AM — 07:00 PM
Friday09:00 AM — 07:00 PM
Saturday09:00 AM — 07:00 PM
Sunday09:00 AM — 07:00 PM
Holiday Hours

Hours may vary on public holidays. Check with individual stores for specific holiday schedules.

Calle 7, Alajuela, Costa Rica

Insights

Demographic Profile and Footfall

Alajuela boasts a population of over 300,000, with a median age of 30 and household incomes averaging $1,200 monthly, comprising middle-class families, university students, and airport employees. The plazas location near residential neighborhoods and the airport enhances accessibility, drawing a balanced mix of locals (70%) and transients (30%). Daily footfall of 5,000-7,000 supports steady sales for food and service tenants, though weekends see spikes up to 10,000. Regional data from Cushman and Wakefield indicates suburban centers like this experience 20% higher repeat visits from families compared to urban malls, aiding customer loyalty but exposing to economic sensitivities in tourism-dependent areas.

Tenant Mix and Occupancy

The tenant composition emphasizes convenience and entertainment, with 40% dining, 30% services (banks, pharmacies), 20% retail, and 10% leisure (cinema). High occupancy at 88% reflects demand for anchor tenants like the cinema, which drives evening traffic. Weak categories include luxury fashion due to market saturation; strengths lie in quick-service food aligning with local preferences. Leasing reports note 95% renewal rates for food outlets, but smaller retailers face 10-15% vacancy risks from e-commerce shifts. Overall, the mix fosters synergy, with cinema contributing 25% to total footfall per industry benchmarks.

Lease Terms, Risks, and Market Factors

Lease structures offer base rents of $20/sq m plus 8-10% turnover, with incentives like rent-free periods for initial setup. Terms favor 2-5 year commitments, suitable for emerging brands. Risks include competition from City Mall (2 km away), which captures 60% of regional apparel sales, and infrastructure challenges like limited parking (300 spaces) causing congestion. Aging elements in open-air setup may require tenant-funded upgrades. Costa Ricas 2025 retail outlook projects 3% sales growth, but Alajuela faces 5% saturation in dining; accessibility via public transport is moderate, with 70% visitors by car, per local traffic studies.

Building Details

Property Type
Neighborhood
Gross Leasable Area
8000
Year Built
2019
Parking Spaces
400
Average Monthly Footfall
100,000
Owner
Inmobiliaria IPB
Anchor Tenants
Banco Nacional, Hikari Ramen

Detailed Market Analytics

Primary Catchment Area
5 km Radius
Secondary Catchment Area
20 km Radius
Catchment area population
150,000 People
Population growth rate
1.2 %
Median age
32 Years
Household size
3.1 Persons
Education level (tertiary)
28.0 %

Median household income
1,800 USD/month
Unemployment rate
10.5 %
Cost of living index
115 Index

Retail spending per capita
2,200 USD/year
Spending on apparel
150 USD/year
Spending on groceries
1,600 USD/year
Spending on electronics
200 USD/year

Annual foot traffic
1,200,000 Visitors
Dwell time
75 Minutes
Conversion rate
18.0 %
Sales per square meter
4,500 USD/year

Number of retail stores
60 Stores
Anchor tenant presence
Yes Boolean
Competitor density (same category)
3 Malls/km²
Tenant diversity
High Qualitative
Unique Concepts
5 Concepts

Gross Leasable Area
8,000 sqm
Number of Levels
2 Levels
Average rent per square meter
25 USD/sqm/month
Vacancy rate
7.0 %
Lease term flexibility
Medium Qualitative
Available retail space
1,500 sqm

Proximity to main roads
0.5 km
Public transport access
High Qualitative
Parking spaces
400 Spaces
Pedestrian traffic
Moderate Qualitative

E-commerce competition
High Qualitative
Click-and-collect adoption
30.0 %
Internet penetration
92.0 %

Retail crime rate
Low Qualitative
Security measures
CCTV and guards Qualitative

Promotional events
12 Events/year
Loyalty program penetration
25.0 %
Digital signage presence
Yes Boolean

Projected foot traffic growth
4.0 %
New tenant pipeline
10 Tenants
Mall expansion plans
Planned Qualitative
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Alajuela

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