You’ll love all the choices you’ll have for what to eat in Costa Rica! And let me tell you, there is so much more to the cuisine than just chicken, rice and beans.

Do yourself a favour; book a ticket, grab your backpack, and head to this colourful country.

One of the best ways to experience a culture, especially on a culinary level, is to discover it like a local. This is very true in many countries, but for Costa Rica, it certainly applies.

There are so many tasty dishes and delicious delights – but we’ve tried to name the best of what to eat in Costa Rica.

What to eat in Costa Rica – 6 dishes you must try

1. Chifrijo

Chifrijo is a popular snack or dish served in bars throughout Costa Rica and is typically served in a bowl. 

Chi refers to chicharrón (fried pork) and frijo refers to frijoles (beans).

There’s nothing more comforting than enjoying a bowl of fresh-made beans with a large spoonful of rice ladled with bean broth. The dish is usually garnished with salsa lizano (always delicious), avocado and homemade tortilla chips. Yum.

2. Casado 

It is customary in Costa Rica to eat a large lunch, similar to the almuerzo and daily lunch menu throughout Latin America. Casado is the most common lunch you’ll see and is served at almost every restaurant.

Chunks of beef are slowly cooked with vegetables such as cassava, carrots, corn, plantains, and taro root. The slow method of cooking this stew results in a bold, hearty dish. It is a comforting meal, served with a bowl of white rice.

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3. Olla de Carne (Beef stew)

A big bowl of warming Olla de Carne is a favourite weekend dish. Many homes across the country would cook this dish on the weekends.

Chunks of beef are slowly cooked with vegetables such as cassava, carrots, corn, plantains, and taro root. The slow method of cooking this stew results in a bold, hearty dish. It is a comforting meal, served with a bowl of white rice.

4. Sopa Negra (Black Bean Soup)

A traditional soup with variations throughout Latin America. It’s made with a combination of black beans, onions, garlic, peppers, hot peppers, coriander, and chicken broth.

The soup is slowly cooked until the beans become tender, then garnished with slices of hard-boiled egg and avocado slices or a dollop of sour cream. 

This warming bean soup is usually served with heated corn tortillas on the side and white rice that’s added to the soup.

5. Gallo Pinto 

Gallo Pinto is one of the most popular breakfast dishes in Costa Rica. We ate this every morning during our travels here. 

The dish is a blend of rice, beans, onions, sweet plantains, peppers, and coriander, stewed and combined overnight to develop the flavours. Then, it is warmed through and topped with a fried egg and cheese.

This is a filling breakfast; we often shared a plate each morning as the portions are always so generous.

Don’t forget to add a little hot sauce to enjoy this dish; it seems to elevate the flavours. Our favourite is the zesty salsa lizano.

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6. Tamale

While tamales are a common dish throughout Central and South America, Ticos (a native of Costa Rica) have their own spin on the recipe. Authentic Costa Rican tamales include rice, potatoes, and garbanzo beans.

Classic fillings also include chicken, pork or a combination of these proteins. The masa (dough) brings it all together. Corn flour, pork lard and various spices are the main ingredients of a good masa.

Tamales are assembled in a banana leaf and steamed. A perfect snack to eat on the go or for long journeys.

Tamales are also very popular food in Mexico. Don’t miss our post – Best food in Mexico – Top 5 Food Cities, or even better, our post about the best foods to try in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Have we missed your favourite Costa Rican dish? Tell us what it is and why it should be on our list of what to eat in Costa Rica.

Travel Tips for North America

We have many travel guides and tips for North America— a fascinating continent!

We love travelling in Mexico and have many food and detailed guides. Read them here. 

These top 6 travel hacks to save money are great to read when planning your travels.

Are you interested in visiting these 15 best places to travel in the USA,  the ten best foods in New York, or searching the 12 best cheap eats in Vancouver?

If you plan to travel long-term after leaving North America, these 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

For food lovers, don’t miss our top 10 countries for foodies; one is in North America.

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in North America. We recommend eSIM. They’re easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual countries, or consider a regional eSIM for North America.

If your travels in North America are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries, offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM. The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. Check out our Group Tours first for any upcoming departures in North America, or view these deals on Tourradar for group tours in North America.

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.