Costa RicaFood and Drink

Costa Rica’s culinary landscape is as diverse and vibrant as its ecosystems. You can start your gastronomic journey with gallo pinto, a quintessential Costa Rican dish. This savoury mix of rice and black beans, seasoned with cilantro, peppers, and Lizano sauce, is a staple in every Tico's diet. Pair it with a "Ticos-style" breakfast featuring eggs, ripe plantains, and cheese for a truly authentic start to your day.

One of the most popular dishes in Costa Rican cuisine is chifrijo, a hearty bowl of rice, beans, pork, and avocado, perfect for refuelling after a day of exploration. When it comes to beverages, agua de sapote or agua de maracuyá are refreshing fruit drinks that capture the essence of Costa Rica's rich biodiversity. Coffee aficionados are also in for a treat with the world-class Costa Rican coffee, renowned for its smooth flavour and robust aroma.

Exploring Costa Rica through its food is not just a culinary journey but a cultural immersion, allowing you to savour the essence of this enchanting destination.

What is Costa Rica’s traditional cuisine?

Few dishes are more classically Costa Rican than a cascado, a breakfast plate piled with rice, beans, plantains, a mixed salad, fresh or fried cheese, corn tortillas, and some kind of protein. If you’d rather start your day with something lighter, the humble smoothie, known as batidos, is ubiquitous across Costa Rica. Other Latin American favourites such as ceviche show up in Costa Rican cuisine as well, while plantains are a popular sweet or savoury snack, whether on their own (usually as chips called patacone), with dip, or as part of a larger meal. Our favourite is crispy plantain chips served with pico de gallo, Costa Rica’s famous non-spicy salsa.

What is the dining etiquette in Costa Rica?

Dining etiquette can catch some off guard on their Costa Rica trip, so try to remember a few basics. Don’t start eating until the host says buen provecho, then pass dishes to your left when you’re done taking your portion. Eat with your knife in your left hand and your fork in your right (this can be tricky if you’re used to the opposite), and keep your hands in sight at all times when not eating. You can use your knife to guide salad onto your fork, but don’t cut it up.

Finally, rank plays a role at the Costa Rican table. The head of the table is usually reserved for the most honoured person, often the host (not such a big ask, considering they often pick up the bill). It’s also not unusual for men to sit on one side of the table and women to sit on the other, though of course, many Costa Ricans ignore this somewhat old-fashioned custom. Finally, be sure to finish everything that is on your plate. Unlike in some other cultures, it’s considered an insult to leave food unfinished on your plate in Costa Rica. If you took more than you were able to eat, make it very clear to your host that you enjoyed the meal and really couldn’t eat another bite.

What is the drinking etiquette in Costa Rica?

Drinking etiquette in Costa Rica is similar to that of other Latin American countries, with one small quirk. It’s common to say gracias after each sip. The legal drinking age is 18, and it’s a good idea to know and respect your limits in Costa Rica’s heat.

Does Costa Rica cater to dietary restrictions?

Costa Rica is turning into a haven for vegetarians and other health-conscious folk, both local and expat, so finding restaurants that will cater to dietary restrictions isn’t too difficult. The Costa Rican diet is already heavily plant and fish-based, so make sure the chef/server is aware of any allergies or other restrictions, and enjoy.

What do meals typically cost in Costa Rica?

A nice local meal can be had for as little as US $10 in Costa Rica, while a multi-course dinner for two will run closer to US $80. Prices are of course higher in popular tourism spots than in the rest of the country.