The national dish is gallo pinto, a flavourful mix of rice and black beans often served for breakfast with eggs, plantains, and tortillas.
Costa Rica Travel Information
Not sure which theme is right for you?
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.
Featured Costa Rica Trip Ideas
Costa Rica Travel PackagesHighlights of Costa Rica: Rainforest & Coast
Manuel Antonio National Park and ArenalThrill and chill on this Private-guided Costa Rica journey, with ziplining, whitewater rafting, and rainforest walks from Arenal’s peaks to Pacific shores.
8 days
From US$3,115/p.p.
Request a Quote
Highlights of Costa Rica: Rainforest & Coast
Manuel Antonio National Park and ArenalThrill and chill on this Private-guided Costa Rica journey, with ziplining, whitewater rafting, and rainforest walks from Arenal’s peaks to Pacific shores.
8 days
From US$3,115/p.p.
Request a Quote
Travel Stories
Get inspired about Your Trip to Costa Rica
How to Get More Out of the Big Three on Your Colombia Vacation
A traveller’s first trip to Colombia is seldom their last. There’s simply too much to this diverse, ever-changing country for most visitors to explore...
Soft Adventure with CTV: The New Way to Travel Like a Globetrotter
I recently sat down with Leighanne Evans and the team at CTV Evening News to talk about one of the biggest shifts Goway is seeing in travel righ...
Goway & NBC's California Live Discuss Spring Break Road Trips
Check out Goway's globetrotting road trips.I recently caught up with Amber Pfister, host of NBC's California Live, at The Proud Bird in Los Ange...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national dish of Costa Rica?
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
Costa Rica Travel Information
Not sure which theme is right for you?
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter.
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way.Exclusive Savings
Insider Benefits
Trending Stories
ExcellentBased on 5,189 ReviewsWe used Goway on our 32 day vacation to New Zealand and Australia. The person I worked with on planning the vacation was really helpful. The way they let you plan a vacation allows for lots of flexibility. You don't have to go with one tour the whole time. We saw a lot and they tailored it to what we were interested in. All the hotels were great and in good locations. Most of the tours were good but we would have preferred to spend a little more time exploring on our own in Sydney. The only thing we were not happy with is the customer service while we were there. Hard to get a hold of and some of the instructions were not clear/ accurate. That was a little stressful. Good value for the money. Dawn Krafft HawkinsWe travelled to Morocco for 10 days, 9 nights, booked through GoWay- they used an excellent local tour company- Cynab. GoWay booked our flights with a stopover Paris, so we did a weekend on our own with family, then transfer to Morocco. Because dates of small group tours didn't work, we booked a private tour for 2, and it wasn't much different in price from small group. Everything went smoothly from start to finish. We were picked up in Casablanca and dropped at Marrakech airport 10 days later with the same driver the whole way. He was a very good driver, always told us what time to expect him next morning and was there like clockwork. Local guides were met along the way for tours of Medinas of Fes, Marrakech and Essouria. The trip was spectacular. Saw many beautiful sites. All the hotels were great- first night at Villa Mandarine in Rabat, with orange trees in the garden, the Oz Palace in Ouarzazate and the Merzouga luxury desert camp were paticularly special. The Jaal Riad in Marrakech was a beautiful hotel and a good one to relax by the pool our last day after our busy travel days. In Fes, the Merides up on a hill was a great respite from the intensity of a day walking through the Fes Medina. NIce to sit on the terrace and watch the sun go down and the lights come up. Although the days were packed, the hotels were always an oases of calm at end of day, and because we didn't need to do any navigating, it was very relaxing. Be prepared to be shown alot of artisan shops- its interesting to see and important to contribute somewhat to the economy, but I sometimes felt a bit pressured to buy, but we ended up with a reasonable amount of souvenirs and not a big cost compared to the trip. Overall a highly memorable trip, we felt very welcome in Morocco, people are very warm and hotel staff treated us royally. We felt very safe and comfortable the whole time. As someone with IBD, I was impressed I had no tummy troubles the whole time. The driver stopped at great places for lunch, and with the private tours in the city we could tell the guide when we wanted to stop and they always suggested a great place. Food was excellent throughout. A tour arranged dinner on a roof top restaurant in Marrakech was particularly special, with a gorgeous sunset and the waiters sang! The meal in the Sahara desert camp was also particularly special. Highly recommend this tripTWHello and Happy Travels.
I have been working with Isabella Luu for
two separate trips, one has traveled. They absolutely loved everything put together by Isabella.
She has been knowledgeable and helpful answering all questions I and clients have had. The work she put into these trips has shown by the ease of the clients travel.
Nothing says more than a Happy Client with smiles and a desire to rebook. THANK YOU Isabella. 04Dawn White Dream VacationsGreat Support throughout the process. Booking travel is a team sport these days and Allan was a supportive teammate in arranging a wonderful holiday for my clients!DellaAllan from Goway is fantastic to work with. He is always quick to respond, highly professional, and very friendly. I know I can count on him for excellent service every time.
He has helped us with multiple Europe travel trips for our clients, and every one of them has gone smoothly. I truly appreciate the reliability, communication, and care Allan provides, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.AphroditeExcellent service! Farnaz did a wonderful job of coordinating detail. She had spot on recommendations and applied our wants and desires into a fantastic tripTommy ThompsonMichael did a great job arranging all our transfers, hotels, trains and tours for our trip to Iceland and Andalucia, Spain. No blips or missed connections and accommodations were easy walking to central cities. Would use Goway again and recommend to our friends.David StoneOur trip to South Africa was a dream come true thanks to Gina our travel consultant.
Right from our first meeting almost two years ago the planning and execution were beyond perfect. The itinerary was carefully chosen and provided us with a full range of experiences that were incredible .
Logistically everything worked like clockwork( flights and ground transportation ) and even with the storm and the re routing the local company , Thompson travel , Mike, did an excellent job and did disappoint We had quite the adventure. The accommodation chosen for us by Gina were all different and very unique ! A new adventure every night
Both safaris were excellent yet so different. We have to say we will hold a special place in our hearts for our last stay at the Garonga , the staff were incredible and it felt like a family.
We saw is all, smelled it all , ate and drank it ( we both gained 5 lbs ) all and learned so much. South Africa is an amazing country with beautiful souls.
Every penny spent and every mile travelled was well worth every penny.We will be talking about this for years.
Thank you Gina and your colleagues behind the scenes at Goway travel for making our dreams come true!
Deirdre KeaneI found this agency when trying to find a trip to New Zealand and Australia. I never heard of them before, so I had to do some research to make sure they were legit. This trip was going to be seemingly more in cost, so I needed to feel everything was going to go as planned and I was not going to be scammed. I had Natasa Jaric as my Specialist. Her and I worked on an itinerary that suited my needs. She is very friendly and knowledgeable.
I had back to back tours for three weeks straight, as well as transfers and hopper flights. This was what I wanted, as this was my " One and Done" for this region. My transportation, hotels, tours and flights went as planned. Of course, Mother Nature dictates some plans and one activity was cancelled. I am getting a refund through the agency. Please book with confidence! This company is reputable and delivers on the itinerary. I had the opportunity to review each part of my itinerary with Natasa prior to leaving to make sure all looked correct. My trip was unforgettable!!! Thank you Goway Travel for making this trip so effortless and smooth.ConsumerGoway gave us a magical holiday in Southeast Asia. From the organization of the transportation, guides and drivers, hotels and tours, everything ran like clockwork with quality accommodations, experienced guides and drivers and amazing excursions. We had a wedding in Bali Indonesia that was the stimulus for visiting 7 countries Cebu Philippines, Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An Vietnam, Siem Reap Cambodia, Bangkok Thailand, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Bali, Indonesia and Taipei, Taiwan.
We had marvelous tour guides and drivers. All of them spoke excellent English, had years of experience, were very knowledgeable and passionate about their country and its heritage, very friendly, funny, patient , flexible and accommodating. In Bali we were able to add another tour when we changed hotels and the guide was able to accommodate our friends from Canada to go with us. The drivers were excellent considering the traffic volumes and what we would consider complex driving movements by cars, trucks, bicycles, vespas, tuk tuks and motorcycles.
The hotels we were placed in were five stars, with exceptional breakfast which showcased the country's food. We were always able to find ethnic food from that area that we could try. I would highly recommend the Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi. The hotel even has a bunker from the Vietnam War that you can tour if you are staying there. Also the Komaneka at Bisma in Ubud Indonesia was a beautiful property and we were treated like royalty by being placed in a villa with our own swimming pool. All the hotels except one had universal outlets.
For any of the Temples whether Buddha or Hindu, churches or Mosques, you need covered shoulders, covered knees and covered toes. Some like Indonesia provide sarongs as part of the entrance fee.
For tours the I highly recommend the following:
The overnight Ginger Cruise of Halong Bay. The suites were like what you see in the movies of Chinese junket's. You visit a secluded fishing village, the scenery is amazing, the food was excellent and we were taught how to make spring rolls and went squid fishing.
The half day cooking class in Cambodia was an amazing experience. We were taken out to a village farm with a multi-generational Cambodian family. The farm had power but no running water. Water was gathered from the river or rainfall. We went to other farms around the village to look at the crops of herbs and vegetables, including rice that were used in the dinner. Also visited the village market for fruits, meats and fish. You were taught how to prepare the foods with the women of the farm while the men set up tables, chairs and lighting for the evening meal. The whole family plus our guide and driver ate the prepared meal under the stars. It was totally awesome.
Also don't miss the cooking class at the Blue Elephant in Bangkok. This was a class of 12 students, again with a market tour to select ingredients for what we would be cooking. We prepared four courses which were first demonstrated then we went into a kitchen with stations where each of us prepared that course. Afterwards we sat down to eat the meal that we had prepared.
For a different authentic experience The Dark Foodie Tour in Siem Reap by Vespa was one of the highlights of the tour. This tour you spend time with the Cambodian people in the night market, bars and restaurants and even a local fair. You are driven around the city like the locals on Vespa's.
You will see lots of temples but two you don't want to miss is Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Wat Suthat in Thailand. Both are astounding and if you get a chance circle back to view the Wat Suthat at night where the lights on the temple show off its beauty.
Chris Lawson
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified