Taste Costa Rica Food!

During your Costa Rica vacation, make sure you take time to taste the "comida típica" or typical Costa Rican food. When compared to other Latin American countries Costa Rica food is much more mild.

The country's traditional dish is called "gallo pinto" (pronounced, GAH-yo PEEN-toe). Translated into English, it means "spotted rooster". It is often served as a breakfast meal.

"Gallo pinto" is made up of white rice & black beans mixed together with a hint of onion, red pepper, cilantro and salsa. It is often served with scrambled or fried eggs.

A typical luncheon meal is similar and is called "casado" which means "married". Tradition has it that this is the typical food that wives use to pack for their husband's lunch.

"Casado" consists of white rice and black beans served separately, along with slices of "plátanos maduros" (fried plantains), a salad of cabbage and tomatoes with either beef, chicken or fish.

When you eat out, don't forget to order dessert to highlight your dining experience! There are many different kinds of Costa Rica desserts or "postres" to chose from. Many are rich and flavorful and will delight your palate!

A visit to Costa Rica would not be complete without tasting the many fresh tropical fruits and fruit drinks ("refrescos) like "mora" (blackberry), "papaya", "mango", "guayaba", "tamarindo" and piña (pineapple). Your taste buds will "dance" at the taste of these exotic fruit juices!

While traveling in Costa Rica you can find good food at reasonable prices at most local "sodas". These are inexpensive little restaurants that serve "pinto gallo" and "casado" along with "refrescos" and other typical Costa Rican food.

A "soda" is where most local "Ticos" stop for lunch or dinner. A key to finding a good "soda" is to find one that is filled with local Costa Ricans.

While visiting the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica you will want to experience the unique cuisine of this region. It is based on Jamaican cooking and is a real treat.

Not typical of other areas of Costa Rica the food you find along the Caribbean coast can be spicy and often includes the flavors of coconut, different kinds of chilies, black pepper and ginger. You will also find an abundance of fish and various tropical roots, as well as breadfruit.

There are also many good traditional restaurants throughout Costa Rica, even in some of the smaller cities and towns. You can find fine Italian, Chinese, Mexican and Peruvian restaurants in most areas.

Before you leave the country, try Costa Rica food or some of its many fruit juice drinks. You will be glad you did!

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