Food & Drink in Costa Rica

Rice and black beans mixed together and pan-fried, seasoned with Salsa Lizano and cilantro. The national breakfast dish.

Eaten morning, noon, and night. Every Tico family has their own recipe. Salsa Lizano — a mild Worcestershire-style sauce — is the secret ingredient.

The quintessential Costa Rican lunch plate: rice, black beans, salad, plantains, and a protein (chicken, beef, fish, or pork).

The word 'casado' means 'married man', supposedly because it resembles a home-cooked meal a wife would prepare. Order it at any soda for the most filling and affordable meal of the day.

Traditional beef and vegetable stew with yuca, plantain, chayote, corn, potato, and other root vegetables.

A Sunday family staple. Hearty, slow-cooked, and deeply flavorful. Often served with white rice and tortillas.

Creamy rice pudding made with milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. A beloved dessert.

Found in every soda and home kitchen. Often enjoyed warm as an afternoon snack.

Twice-fried green plantain slices, flattened and served as a snack or side dish.

Served with black bean dip, guacamole, or natilla (sour cream). A staple throughout the country, especially on the Caribbean coast.

A beloved bar snack: layers of rice, beans, chicharrones (fried pork), and tomato pico de gallo, topped with avocado and tortilla chips.

A San José invention, born in the 1990s. Common in bars and sodas throughout the country. The name combines 'chicharrón' and 'frijoles'.

Raw fish (typically tilapia or corvina) marinated in lime juice with cilantro, onion, and sweet red peppers.

Lighter and less spicy than Peruvian ceviche. Popular at the beach and in seafood restaurants. Order fresh — never previously frozen.

Masa corn dough filled with rice, pork, vegetables, and spices, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled.

Made almost exclusively at Christmas. Every family prepares their own batch in late December — a multi-day family affair. Sharing tamales is a key holiday tradition.

Gallo pinto (rice and beans with Salsa Lizano) is the default Costa Rican breakfast, often served with eggs, natilla (sour cream), fresh cheese, and tortillas. Agua dulce (hot cane sugar drink) or café chorreado (drip coffee) accompany it. Breakfast is typically 6–9 AM.

Traditional Costa Rican family-run restaurants called 'sodas' are the backbone of local eating. Cheap, generous portions, and authentically Tico. Always try the menú del día (daily menu) for best value. Lunch runs noon to 2 PM and is the most important meal of the day. Order the menú del día or menú ejecutivo — a set meal of soup, a casado (rice, beans, salad, plantains, protein), dessert, and a drink — for exceptional value.

Dinner is lighter than lunch. Many Ticos eat leftovers, gallo pinto, or simple dishes at home in the evening. Restaurants typically serve dinner 6–9 PM. Tourist-oriented restaurants in beach towns keep later hours.

A "soda" in Costa Rica is a small family-run restaurant, not a drink. Sodas are where authentic, affordable Tico food is found. Look for hand-painted signs, plastic chairs, and a handwritten daily menu. The busier the soda at lunchtime, the better the food.

Costa Rican restaurants automatically add a 10% service charge (cargo por servicio) and 13% IVA (sales tax) to your bill. The prices on the menu do not include these charges. Your final bill will be roughly 23% higher than the listed prices. Additional tipping beyond the service charge is not expected but appreciated.

The 'menú ejecutivo' or 'menú del día' is a set lunch menu that typically includes soup, a main course (casado or similar), dessert, and a drink for a fixed low price. This is usually the best-value meal option in any restaurant. This is almost always the best-value option when eating out. At a good soda, expect to pay ₡3,000–₡6,000 (roughly $6–$12 USD) for a complete meal.

Service in Costa Rica is unhurried — your waiter will not bring the bill until you ask. Say "La cuenta, por favor" to request it. Do not expect to be rushed out after eating; lingering over a meal is perfectly normal and expected.

Tap water is safe to drink in most of Costa Rica and is certified by AyA (the national water authority). Exceptions include some remote rural areas and informal settlements — when in doubt, ask locally. Tap water is safe to drink at restaurants. If a restaurant serves you a glass of water, it is from the tap and safe. You can always request bottled water (agua embotellada) if preferred — you will be charged for it.

supermarket — Nationwide

The largest supermarket chain in Costa Rica. Operates under the 'Walmart' banner in some locations and the legacy 'Más x Menos' name in others — both are the same company.

Most affordable full-service supermarket for everyday shopping. Wide selection of local and imported goods. Self-checkout available at larger locations. Some locations have in-store pharmacies and basic household goods.

premium supermarket — San José metro, Guanacaste, beach towns

Costa Rica's premium supermarket chain, popular with expats and upper-income Ticos. Excellent selection of imported cheeses, wines, specialty items, and organic products.

More expensive than standard chains but carries products not found elsewhere — specialty cheeses, international brands, organic and gluten-free items. Clean, well-organized stores. Deli counters with prepared foods. The Escazú and Santa Ana locations are especially well-stocked.

supermarket — Central Valley and major towns

Mid-range supermarket chain with good coverage across the Central Valley. Reliable selection of staples, fresh produce, and national brands.

A solid everyday option. Prices are mid-range — better than Automercado, comparable to Más x Menos. Good produce sections and deli counters.

warehouse / membership club — San José (multiple), Liberia, Cartago

Costa Rica's Costco equivalent. Bulk buying club requiring an annual membership fee. Operated by PriceSmart Inc., a US-based warehouse club company.

Membership is worth it for families and long-term residents. Excellent prices on imported goods, electronics, cleaning supplies, and food in bulk. Fresh bakery, rotisserie chicken, and food court on-site. Annual membership required — available at the store.

supermarket — Central Valley and Cartago province

A well-established Costa Rican supermarket chain with strong presence in the Central Valley, particularly around Cartago and San José's eastern suburbs.

Good prices on local products. Reliable fresh produce and meat departments. Popular with Tico families.

supermarket — San José and Central Valley

Traditional Costa Rican supermarket chain. Strong in San José's urban core.

Excellent fresh produce, meat, and fish sections. More traditional in feel than modern chains. Good for finding authentic local products.

discount supermarket — San José metro

Budget-focused supermarket chain emphasizing low prices on staples.

The most affordable option for basics: rice, beans, oil, flour, sugar. Limited selection of imported goods. Good for bulk buying of pantry staples on a tight budget.

neighborhood store — San José metro and suburbs

Small-format neighborhood supermarkets and convenience stores scattered across residential areas.

Convenient for quick shopping without the crowds of large chains. Prices slightly higher than full-size supermarkets. Good for basics, produce, and beverages.