Hey there, fellow foodie travelers! Today, we’re in Costa Rica, talking about food! There are so many cool things to do in Costa Rica, and all that sightseeing will definitely help you work up an appetite. If you want to experience traditional Costa Rican food, there are some really great dishes that we recommend trying. It’s not just rice and beans; there are lots of tasty popular foods in Costa Rica.
What to Know Before You Visit Costa Rica
Gallo Pinto: Costa Rica Staple
Like many countries in Latin America, rice and beans are a staple of the cuisine. They are served together at every meal. Every Costa Rica breakfast includes “Gallo pinto” which is rice and beans mixed together. You’ll also have eggs, fruit, and other meats, but you will always have rice and beans at breakfast. (probably at lunch and dinner too!)
Fresh Fruit
You’ll also see a lot of fresh fruit in Costa Rica. Some of it will look familiar, while some are more foreign or exotic to American travelers. There’s a lot of mangoes, papaya, pineapple, and more. The fruit is so fresh, and we consumed many fruit smoothies and refrescoes during our Costa Rica trip.
Casado Costa Rica
Casado means “married” and is a very traditional Costa Rican dish. Casado consists of rice and beans, but they are separated, not mixed. It will also have salad and a main dish of steak or chicken or pork or fish.
Costa Rican Snacks
When you visit Costa Rica, you might get hungry between meals, as there are a lot of active outdoor adventures in Costa Rica. Fortunately, there are many small plates you can order to share, either to tide you over until your next meal or to share as an appetizer before the main meal arrives. These are some of our favorite Costa Rican snacks:
- Ceviche is a common shared plate or appetizer you can order in Costa Rica. It typically has several types of fish, cured in lime juice. It’s usually served with crackers to put the ceviche on. It’s very tasty, and I highly recommend it, especially if you’re staying on the coast.
- Chicharrones are pork rinds, but it’s not what you buy in a bag in the US. Chicharrones in Costa Rica are fresh, crispy pieces of pork, and they’re very tasty. Definitely try it at least once when you visit Costa Rica.
- Chips and Bean Dip – The bean dip in Costa Rica is really good, and you’ll see it served often with chips and salsa before the main meal arrives.
- Patacones is kind of like a Costa Rican tostada. They mash up plantains to make a little pancake, then fry it to make it crispy. Then it’s topped with toppings like bean dip, queso, and meat.
- Picada means little pinches of things; so it’s kind of a Costa Rican tapas. You’ll get a little bit of several different things to try. It’s a great way to sample several Costa Rican snacks all at once.
Ten Things That Will Shock You in Costa Rica
Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a very popular food in Costa Rica; you’ll see a lot of roadside stands selling fried chicken. It’s very good if you are hungry and need to eat on the go!
Arroz Con…
Arroz Con means “rice with” and it’s usually the main dish you’ll see for dinner. For example, arroz con pollo is rice with chicken. If you order these dishes, don’t expect a big meat portion; it’s literally rice with a little bit of chicken, shrimp, or beef. If you want more protein and less rice, look for the Pollo con Arroz.
Olla de Carne
This is a beef stew served in Costa Rice that’s very good. They have a lot of really great soups and stews to try in Costa Rica.
Seafood
The seafood in Costa Rica is phenomenal. It is listed under “Mariscos” on the menu. From sea bass to shrimp, trout to mahi-mahi. There are two coasts in Costa Rica, so fresh seafood is always readily available
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Costa Rica Drinks
Besides food, there are some popular drinks in Costa Rica as well:
- Coffee in Costa Rica is a staple they are known for; even Mark who hates coffee has had a few cups of Costa Rican coffee.
- Refrescoes are similar to agua fresca; it’s a fresh fruit drink meant to refresh you. So delicious!
- Pipa Fria is coconut water, served in the coconut
- Chan is a drink made from hot water and seeds; they are similar to chia seeds, so the result is kind of a slimy drink, but it’s actually pretty tasty if you can get past the texture.
- Beer – Imperial is the most popular beer in Costa Rica
- Ron Centenario is Costa Rican rum, which is very good
- Water – yes, you can drink the water in Costa Rica! Bottled water is readily available if you prefer that.
Costa Rican Desserts
After dinner, you’ll definitely want to partake in some Costa Rican desserts. These are some of the most popular desserts in Costa Rica:
- Tres Leches Cake – “3 milk cake” is one of the best desserts in Costa Rica.
- Costa Rican Ice Cream – ice cream is everywhere in Costa Rica. Pops is a popular ice cream chain store you’ll see around Costa Rica. If you visit Costa Rica with kids, plan on having lots of ice cream because it’s everywhere!
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
These are just a few of the popular foods in Costa Rica; visiting Costa Rica is a great chance to try new cuisine and it’s very affordable to eat in Costa Rica. Check out the “sodas” which are the mom-and-pop little restaurants you see everywhere. Looking for more tips on travel in Central America? Check out some of these other blog posts!