Food & Drink

Costa Rican cuisine is at the heart of the country’s culture: fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavour. Meals are often simple but rich in local ingredients, from tropical fruits and freshly caught seafood to the country’s world-class coffee. Whether enjoying casual street ceviche, sipping a smoothie at a roadside stand, or indulging in fine dining in San José, food is an experience deeply tied to daily life.

“Gallo pinto—fried rice and black beans—is Costa Rica’s national dish, often served for breakfast,” says Destination Specialist Kajal Gadhia, who highlights how such fare connects travelers with the rhythm of Costa Rican mornings. Do not be put off thinking this is your only breakfast option - all Goway selected properties will offer a wide range of options to get your day started.

To indulge in your own Costa Rican food and drink odyssey, speak to one of our Destination Specialists today.

A Culinary Overview of Costa Rica

Costa Rican food celebrates fresh produce and simple flavours, anchored by staples such as rice, beans, and plantains.

Local herbs like cilantro, tropical fruits, and fresh seafood shape the cuisine, with popular dishes including ceviche, tamales, and casado, a hearty lunch plate composed of rice, beans, salad, plantains, and protein (casado means "married" in Spanish and refers to the harmonious blend of ingredients on the plate as well as the wives who traditionally prepared these meals for their worker husbands).

Regional variations add additional depth. The Pacific coast is renowned for its seafood, while the Caribbean side draws on Afro-Caribbean influences with bold jerk spices and coconut flavours. Inland, highland regions are celebrated for their coffee, considered among the finest in the world.

Unique Costa Rican Dining Experiences

Dining in Costa Rica is as much about setting as it is about taste. Enjoy beachfront sodas (family-run eateries) with ocean views, pause at fruit stands piled high with mangoes and pineapples, or relax in rainforest cafés while listening to birdsong.

San José food tours showcase local markets, artisanal chocolate, and evolving fine dining, while the Central Valley offers unforgettable coffee plantation visits where travelers can sample freshly roasted beans at the source.

For more on the national dining scene, explore our Costa Rica travel tips and etiquette guide.

Costa Rica’s Beverage Scene

Love coffee? The beverage is among Costa Rica’s biggest draws, with Arabica, Caturra, and Geisha beans cultivated in the fertile Central Valley. Plantation tours let travelers see the process from bean to cup, capped with tastings of some of the world’s finest brews.

For something stronger, visitors can sample rum tastings at local distilleries or try guaro, a sugarcane-based spirit often mixed into cocktails. Along the coasts and in boutique bars, craft beer is also gaining popularity, adding a modern twist to the country’s drinking culture.

Dining Etiquette in Costa Rica

Dining in Costa Rica is casual and warm, reflecting the country’s laid-back pura vida lifestyle. Meals are often family style and unhurried, with many locals eating dinner early in the evening. Restaurants range from humble sodas (family-run eateries) to upscale venues in San José and the beach towns.

Service is typically friendly and informal. Tipping is modest and usually included in the bill, though leaving a small additional gratuity for good service is appreciated. For deeper insight into customs, explore our guide to Costa Rican cultural traditions.

Accommodating Dietary Needs in Costa Rica

Costa Rican cuisine is naturally adaptable to a wide range of diets. With its emphasis on fresh produce, rice, beans, and tropical fruits, vegetarians and vegans will find plenty of satisfying choices. Dishes like gallo pinto, plantain-based sides, and hearty vegetable soups are easy staples.

Seafood lovers can indulge in the country’s coastal offerings, while meat eaters will find flavourful stews and grilled specialties. During Lent, many Costa Ricans opt for fish, seafood, or vegetarian plates, which makes this a particularly good time for travelers who prefer lighter or meat-free dining.

Most hotels, eco-lodges, and restaurants are accustomed to accommodating dietary requests, ensuring that travelers with restrictions or preferences can enjoy meals with ease. The focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients means flexibility is built into the dining culture.

Plan Your Costa Rican Culinary Adventure

Costa Rica offers unforgettable food and drink experiences that go beyond traditional dining.

Imagine a private-chef dinner under the stars, where local flavours are paired with fine wines. Join farm-to-table tours that showcase fresh produce and sustainable practices or visit coffee estates in the Central Valley to taste some of the world’s best beans right at the source.

To book your own custom Costa Rica food and wine journey, contact Goway today.

FAQs

What is the national dish of Costa Rica?

The national dish is gallo pinto, a flavourful mix of rice and black beans often served for breakfast with eggs, plantains, and tortillas.

What is the national drink of Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is known for café chorreado (traditional drip coffee) and guaro, a clear sugarcane liquor often mixed into cocktails.

What do locals eat in Costa Rica?

Locals enjoy casado (a plate with rice, beans, meat or fish, salad, and plantains), as well as fresh tropical fruit and seafood in coastal areas.

What time is dinner eaten in Costa Rica?

Dinner is usually eaten early, around 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.. Meals are often casual and family-oriented.

What fruit is Costa Rica known for?

Costa Rica is famous for its pineapples, bananas, mangoes, papayas, and guavas, all of which are grown locally and enjoyed fresh.

What are the dos and don’ts when it comes to eating in Costa Rica?

Dining is informal and friendly. It is polite to keep your hands visible (but don’t rest your elbows on the table) and tipping around 10 percent is customary in restaurants