🍽️ Food & Drink in Costa Rica
One of the best ways to experience Costa Rica is through its food. Fresh ingredients, tropical flavours and locally grown produce are at the heart of Costa Rican cuisine. Meals are generally simple, wholesome and packed with flavour, reflecting the country’s relaxed Pura Vida lifestyle.
Whether you’re enjoying breakfast overlooking the rainforest, sampling fresh fruit from a local market or sipping world-famous Costa Rican coffee on a plantation, food becomes part of the adventure.
🍚 Gallo Pinto
Gallo Pinto is Costa Rica’s national dish and a breakfast favourite enjoyed throughout the country. Made from rice and black beans cooked together with onions, peppers, coriander and the distinctive Salsa Lizano seasoning, it’s usually served with eggs, cheese, tortillas and fresh fruit.
You’ll find Gallo Pinto everywhere, from luxury hotels to small family-run cafés known as sodas.
🍽️ Casados
Casado literally means “married” and refers to a traditional lunchtime meal where several ingredients come together on one plate.
A typical Casado includes:
- Grilled chicken, beef, pork or fish
- Rice and black beans
- Fresh salad
- Fried plantain
- Seasonal vegetables
- Tortillas
It’s one of the best value meals you’ll find in Costa Rica and a great way to enjoy authentic local cooking.
🍫 Chocolate
Costa Rica also has a growing reputation for high-quality chocolate. Many cacao farms offer fascinating tours where you can learn about traditional chocolate-making, taste fresh cacao fruit and create your own chocolate using locally grown beans.
Chocolate tours are especially popular around the Caribbean Coast, SarapiquĂ and the northern rainforest regions.
🛍️ Local Markets
Visiting a local market is one of the best ways to experience everyday Costa Rican life. Colourful stalls are packed with tropical fruit, freshly roasted coffee, spices, handmade crafts and local snacks.
Markets provide a wonderful opportunity to chat with local producers and sample authentic flavours that you won’t always find in restaurants.
