--- title: The Iconic Food & Drinks of Costa Rica description: Costa Rica is more than a tropical paradise — it’s also a food lover’s dream. Learn about some of our food and beverage specialities to whet your appetite. image: https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/hubfs/GilbertoPhoto3-1.jpg --- # The Iconic Food & Drinks of Costa Rica [mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/food-drinks-you-have-to-try-in-costa-rica](mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/food-drinks-you-have-to-try-in-costa-rica) [Book](https://www.lascatalinascr.com/section/booking) ### January 16, 2019 When most people think of Costa Rica, they think of natural beauty — the rainforest and the country's many tropical beaches. People who have visited may think of its *pura vida* lifestyle. But what you may not realize is that this [Central American vacation hotspot](https://www.lascatalinascr.com/) also has a rich culinary tradition with some iconic dishes.   Let’s take a look at some of the famous foods and beverages that visitors to Costa Rica should definitely give a try. ### Gallo Pinto (And Salsa Lizano) Sometimes considered the national dish of Costa Rica, [Gallo Pinto](http://www.pbs.org/food/recipes/gallo-pinto-beans-and-rice/) (which translates to “spotted rooster”) is a hearty mix of beans and rice.   While this delicious duo is common throughout Latin America, they take it especially seriously in Costa Rica. Combining tender stewed beans, fluffy rice, and a mix of local veggies, Gallo Pinto is a classic dish that’s prepared slightly differently throughout the country. For example, on the Caribbean side of the country, Gallo Pinto becomes "Rice and Beans", a dish made with coconut milk, coconut oil, red beans, Panamanian chili, and thyme. No matter where you try this dish, you’re sure to be experiencing a little bit of the local culture and flavor.   And if you’re looking for a thoroughly [Costa Rican experience](https://news.lascatalinascr.com/family-vacation-in-costa-rica), don’t forget to [ask your server for some Salsa Lizano](https://theculturetrip.com/central-america/costa-rica/articles/how-lizano-became-costa-ricas-national-sauce/).   Created in 1920 by Prospero Lizano, this savoury condiment was modeled on Worcestershire sauce from England — but it packs a signature kick that makes it worth seeking out. Much like Gallo Pinto, every Salsa Lizano is different, made from ingredients as diverse as carrots, chili peppers, cucumbers, and cauliflower, and it’s a sauce that goes great with almost everything in Costa Rican cuisine.   ### Frescos Naturales If you’re a lover of fresh fruit, this Costa Rican beverage just might hit the spot. While Americans are mostly used to a soft drink selection limited to sodas (and maybe iced tea), in Costa Rica fresh fruit juices are the star of many drink lists.   While classic fruits like pineapple and watermelon are almost always available, for the adventurous there are some key Costa Rican specialities worth trying. Guanábana, also known as soursop, tastes something like a cross between a banana and a pear. Cas, a form of sour guava found only in Central America, is another local favorite. And Maracuyá, aka passionfruit, is a tangy, sour Latin American specialty. When mixed with some sweetener in a juice, it tastes a bit like a tropical lemonade, excellent for a day on the beach! ### Cacao Fresco Everyone knows that Costa Rica is famous for its rich, sustainably produced dark chocolate, but when you take a trip to the source of this beloved sweet you’re in for a surprise treat. Cacao fresco, Spanish for fresh cacao, is the name for the sweet, tangy flesh of the cacao fruit — the one that surrounds the seeds that will be processed into chocolate. Just one taste and you’ll have a new perspective on one of the world’s favorite foods.   ### Ceviche Tico Spend any time on Costa Rica’s shorelines and you’re bound to develop a craving for fresh seafood. And while there are plenty of classic Costa Rican preparations, if you want the freshest flavor possible then you’ve got to try ceviche tico.   While the basics of ceviche are relatively standard throughout Latin America — fresh raw seafood, citrus, chili peppers, and cilantro — Costa Ricans add their own special ingredient: ginger ale. Usually served in the country with a side of crackers (galletas soda) and ketchup, this unique addition to the recipe gives ceviche tico a subtle sweetness and tang that makes it memorable and one-of-a-kind.   Beyond its natural beauty, Costa Rica has a rich culinary culture that has given rise to some iconic favorites. Whether you’re tasting cacao fresco while touring local chocolate farms or enjoying a ceviche tico during a sunset stroll along the beach, the many flavors of Costa Rica are sure to have something for every traveler’s palate.   [![FAMILY VACATION IN COSTA RICA EBOOK](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4917861/f8702cf8-317e-4339-b1c7-b3b9bb475451.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4917861/f8702cf8-317e-4339-b1c7-b3b9bb475451) ## See related posts ## [Rediscovering Costa Rican Fruits, Vegetables and Other Ingredients](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/artisanification-of-ingredients) [ Per land area Costa Rica is among the most densely biodiverse regions on earth, which includes a wide variety of native fruits, vegetables, herbs, and plants some of which can be found nowhere else on the planet. Thanks to over 300 microclimates in the country, each part of Costa Rica had trees, ... ](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/artisanification-of-ingredients) [Read more](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/artisanification-of-ingredients) ## [Guanacaste Nights 2022](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/guanacaste-nights-2022) [ Guanacaste Nights 2022 A soft ocean breeze carries with it the sound of live music and laughter, and the scent of delicious gourmet food. Set in a beautiful landscape of palm trees backed by the colors of a sunset over the pacific, creating the perfect mood to bring families and friends together. ... ](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/guanacaste-nights-2022) [Read more](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/guanacaste-nights-2022) ## [Seven Chefs Tackle Costa Rican Cuisine at Guanacaste Nights Food Festival](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/seven-chefs-at-guanacaste-nights-food-festival) [ Costa Rican cuisine draws from a blend of influences, a melting pot of Central American, Hispanic, Afro-Caribbean, and other culinary traditions, as well as a tremendous diversity of ingredients. ](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/seven-chefs-at-guanacaste-nights-food-festival) [Read more](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/seven-chefs-at-guanacaste-nights-food-festival) ## [Desayuno Típico: The Costa Rican Breakfast](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/desayuno-típico-the-costa-rican-breakfast) [ Desayuno Típico is the typical Costa Rican breakfast, a simple, healthy meal that can be found in sodas and homes around the country. Much like the casado, there are regional variations, but the staples of the meal are gallo pinto, fruit, fried plantains, eggs any style, and usually a grain like ... ](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/desayuno-típico-the-costa-rican-breakfast) [Read more](https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/desayuno-típico-the-costa-rican-breakfast) #### Subscribe to The Blog, The Daily, The Newsletter, and more Additionally you will receive our occasional newsletter. Absolute confidentiality. Never SPAM. You can unsubscribe at any time. ```json { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "The Iconic Food & Drinks of Costa Rica", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4917861/GilbertoPhoto3-1.jpg", "width": 1040, "height": 640 }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://theblog.lascatalinascr.com/food-drinks-you-have-to-try-in-costa-rica" }, "description": "

When most people think of Costa Rica, they think of natural beauty — the rainforest and the country's many tropical beaches. People who have visited may think of its pura vida lifestyle. But what you may not realize is that this Central American vacation hotspot also has a rich culinary tradition with some iconic dishes.

 

Let’s take a look at some of the famous foods and beverages that visitors to Costa Rica should definitely give a try.

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