When going on holiday, food is an exciting and highly appealing aspect of the experience. It’s an opportunity to treat yourself and vary your palate with the chance to sample some new and exciting flavours. This is where your sense of taste can really shine.
Countries found on the Caribbean coast offer their own unique cuisine, and Costa Rica is distinctive in its own right. Staple ingredients include rice, beans, meats and vegetables as well as a variety of exotic fruits and vegetables. Meals are fresh, vibrant and healthy with some sweet treats thrown in along the way to really tempt your taste buds.
For breakfast a traditional dish you can expect goes by the name of Gallo pinto, a rice and black bean dish, although there are of course other breakfast foods available. For lunch you can usually expect a tarted up version of Gallo Pinto which will include fried plantains, meat, chopped cabbage and egg or avocado. Chicken and rich and tuna with rice, steaks, and other chicken and fish dishes make regular appears on the dinner menus. When it comes to popular snacks, try tacos, tamal del elotes, tortas and tortillas. Be sure to try some sweet treats during your time here too such as Cajeta de coco; coconut and orange peel fudge, tres leches; the national dessert with a three layered, flan like appearance, Milanes and tapitas; delicious chocolates and more.
When it comes to drinks, one thing you will sample many times during your time in Costa Rica is a Refresco; essentially a refreshing drink made of fruit and blended with ice that will work wonders to combat the hot sun. It won’t just contain the likes of apples, strawberries and bananas however. In Costa Rica, your taste buds will delight in the deliciously fresh flavours of papaya, mango, pineapples, watermelons, guava, passion fruit, lemons and blackberries to name but a few. Beer is served across the country and also proves to be popular as a refreshing thirst-quencher whereas wine is specifically imported and therefore very expensive. For a sweet and spicy beverage, try a Horchata which consists of roasted ground rice and cinnamon or of course stick with a delicious coffee.
When it comes to finding an eatery, there’s something to suit every mood and budget. From inexpensive lunchtime counters known as Sodas to fine dining restaurants, Costa Rica has everything covered. Sodas can be found all over Costa Rica and offer hearty meals for those on a budget. For a tasty lunch, try a tamale which is steamed cornmeal stuffed with either chicken or pork and wrapped in a banana leaf. Other snacks included include sliced and fried plantains, pupusas, cheese cakes and a large selection of other local snacks and treats. 
As the capital city, San Jose will more than aptly satisfy your appetite. Nuestra Tierra and Ti-pica are top picks if you are searching for typical Costa Rican fare. The larger towns and cities also offer a range of international cuisine. Chinese is readily available and in a city that boasts plenty of restaurants, one by the name of Tin Jo stands head and shoulders above the rest. Bacchus is an outstanding Italian restaurant in downtown San Jose where you can enjoy a well presented, delicious meal. La Piazzetta also offers Italian food but the menu prices are slightly more affordable but nonetheless delicious. If you fancy Indian, the aptly named Taj Mahal comes highly regarded for your curry fix.
To appreciate your sense of taste in Costa Rica, eat with an open mind and try new things in Costa Rica; your taste buds will be buzzing with excitement!
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