When planning a visit to a foreign country, one thing that many people look forward to most is the cuisine they will sample. This is no less true when planning a visit to Costa Rica. Understanding more about the cuisine you can expect in Costa Rica during your visit can help you to make the most of your time there.

Fresh Produce at the Heart of Meals in Costa Rica

One of the most important things to be aware of when planning a visit to Costa Rica is that a lot of fruit and vegetables comprise the cuisine here. This should come as no surprise, given that agriculture is one of the primary industries in Costa Rica. So much so, in fact, that the exportation of bananas and pineapples provides a significant source of income to the country.

This is also the reason why you will see salads featured at practically every meal. The natural juices from tropical fruits such as passion fruit and star fruit are also very popular in Costa Rica.

You should also be aware that it is not uncommon for many restaurants in Costa Rica to cultivate their own organic gardens, where they grow such produce as tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, and even herbs and spices. As a result, you can expect that many of the ingredients used in your meals to be as fresh as possible and free of chemicals.

Local Variations to Costa Rican Cuisine

Based on the region where you plan to visit in Costa Rica, there may be variations to the local cuisine. For instance, if you plan to visit along the coast, you will naturally see a lot of different types of seafood, including fresh fish. One of the most popular appetizers in coastal areas is ceviche, which is made with a combination of fresh raw fish that has been marinated in finely diced herbs and lime juice.

Ceviche may be made with white sea bass or tilapia combined with celery, onion, garlic, cilantro, and hot pepper.

Regardless of where you visit in Costa Rica, there are three dishes that you are likely to see. When you sit down to breakfast in Costa Rica, you may well be served Gallo Pinto. This simple but filling dish is a mixture of rice and beans combined with cilantro, pepper, and diced onion. It is commonly served with fried or scrambled eggs, sausages, cheese, and tortillas. Served alongside a cup of the best java in the world, and this is a breakfast you will not soon forget.

For lunch, a typical dish is casado. Translated, this means married man. It is prepared using a combination of beans, fried plantains, rice, and a choice of meats, such as steak, pork, fish, or chicken. Naturally, it is served with a salad, usually made with a bed of lettuce or cabbage along with cucumber, onion, and tomato.

Depending on the region where you are dining, casado may also be served with a slice of cheese, a fried egg, or a tortilla. Natural juice serves as the perfect thirst quencher for this meal.

It may come as no surprise that rice and beans also serves as a popular meal on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. This is not just any rice and beans, however. Prepared with a Coconut milk sauce mixed with Panamanian pepper and ginger, this meal is commonly accompanied by a piece of meat, such as fish or chicken, salad, and fried plantain.

While rice and beans form the basis of many meals in Costa Rica, you will also find a wide assortment of other dishes, including international dishes.

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.