Tasting pura vida on a culinary vacation
Steam rises from a heaping plate of casado – garlic-infused black beans served with a fluffy scoop of white rice, balanced by sweet plantains and the crunch of fresh cabbage, topped with a perfectly fried egg. In Costa Rica, a meal like this reflects the very essence of pura vida. Simple yet fulfilling. Wholesome and nourishing. Sustainable and inspired by the land. No matter if you’re a serious foodie or simply curious about cuisine, if you’re vegetarian or vegan, if you’re exploring new cultures with young kids or in search of the perfect date night – the food in Costa Rica is sure to satisfy every craving.
Costa Rica's signature dishes
Considered Costa Rica’s national dish, gallo pinto is a savory, cilantro-spiked addition to any breakfast, best served with eggs and a hot cup of Costa Rican coffee poured from a chorreador. Seafood is king on the Pacific Coast, and a bowl of sopa de mariscos shows off those fresh flavors in a rich tomato broth. And if you’ve never tried pipa (coconut) straight off a tree, a freshly blended guanábana batido (shake) or chorreadas pancakes made from ground corn, you’re in for a treat! Hungry yet?
Coffee culture
Did you know? Costa Rica is a renowned producer of high-quality coffee, sourced from the San José, Alajuela, Puntarenas, Heredia and Cartago provinces. Go behind the scenes on a plantation to feel the texture of coffee cherries that grow on the trees, inhale the rich scent of roasted beans and learn the art of cupping on a guided coffee tasting.
Create your own foodie tour
Food is perhaps the most authentic way to get to know Costa Rican culture. Dine everywhere from a no-frills lunch at a rustic soda (family-owned eatery) to a multicourse fine-dining feast in a cloud forest, and of course, find an abundance of fresh fruits, rich coffee and chocolate all along the way.
