A Foodie's Guide to Costa Rican Dishes

The food in Costa Rica is like no other.  

There is much to offer, from different plates of casado, picadillo, gallo pinto, and the delicious flavors of “sweet aqua” (water). Not to mention coffee!  

(Yes, the rumors are true, Costa Rica's coffee is the best. There is so much history with Costa Rica and their home-grown coffee. I highly recommend visiting a coffee plantation when you're there. In the Highlands, there's a wonderful coffee plantation tour -- just look up “Finca Rosa Blanca.”)

Continuing with the plates, the term “casado” is a plate filled with rice, vegetables, black beans and usually a protein, such as fish, egg, pork or beef. Many households or sodas offer casado for breakfast, lunch and dinner (given that there are proteins to be swapped based on the meal). 

Pro tip: When traveling in Costa Rica, look for a restaurant that is a “soda” -- usually there will be a sign next to the given name of the business. Sodas are very convenient, offering all the main Costa Rican dishes (including casado) for a good price. Typically, you can walk out of a soda and spend less than five American dollars for a meal and a beverage (2,500 colón).  

Coffee with a  perfect lunch (breakfast)  

Food from a local soda, featuring the famous casado dish