Latinamerica Collection
Costa Rican Food and Cuisine

Costa Rican cuisine is generally characterized as simple but has some great variations depending on whether you are visiting the coast or staying inland near the capital. One popular, everyday dish is the casado which generally consists of rice and black beans, one of various types of meats like chicken, steak, pork chop, or fish, a small salad or other side, and often times a portion of fried plantains. This is the typical Costa Rican dish and can be found at every street side café, or soda, in the country. Another great option if you are not sure what to order is the "plate of the day" which is based off the casado but with some slight variations that change each day.


A traditional morning dish is a mix of rice and beans called gallo pinto. Often eaten with an egg and a side of chicharrones made from the skin of a pig, this is the most important meal for many Costa Ricans. There are of course various other typical dishes such as soups, sandwiches, ceviches or seafood cocktails, and rice with various ingredients such as chicken, beef, pork, or seafood.


On the coast, you will find many delicious seafood stops with fresh fish, squid, shrimp, and much more. A dish very common in the Caribbean is the so called "Rice and Beans" which are much like the traditional gallo pinto except cooked with coconut milk to give it a unique Caribbean flavor. There are also various international cuisines found throughout the country and especially in the capital.