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.
Taste Costa Rica three ways
Traditional flavors
Costa Rica’s gastronomy scene has seen a transformation in recent years, with chefs taking inspiration from their ancestral roots, the country’s gastronomic heritage and incredible biodiversity.
Coffee from seed to cup
Visitors can enjoy the energizing brew while learning all the aspects of its production, from the harvest to the roasting and packaging of the bean, at one of the country’s many coffee farms.
Cacao and local ingredients
Costa Rica’s most popular fruits and vegetables include cassava, guava, mangos, papayas, cacao, and other native fruits and vegetables considered exotic by many.
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.
