Cuisine

The food of the Costa Ricans is simple. They eat a lot of rice and many beans, or a combination of the two. A typical dish would be the «Gallo Pinto», which is fried rice with beans. It is often served with eggs and cheese for breakfast. At lunchtime you will get 'casados' (the lunch menu) everywhere. It consists of meat, beans, rice, salad and cooked bananas.
The food is not particularly spicy. An exception are the traditional dishes from the Carabean coast. In most restaurants you will find spicy sauce on the table.
Fish and seafood is very popular. On important occasions 'tamales' are served – a corn dish with fish which has been cooked in banana leaves.
The most popular drink in Costa Rica is coffee. The Costa Ricans like their coffee strong, so be warned. Don't miss out on trying the 'batido', a fresh, cooling drink. This is made with fresh fruit and can be drunk with water 'al agua' or with milk 'con leche'. The different tastes are amazing: mango, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe, carrot, tamarindo – something for every taste. 'Pipas' are good if you are really thirsty: the green coconuts are pierced and you can drink the milk directly through a straw.
The most popular drink is beer, which is made on the premises. 'Guaro' is an alcoholic beverage made from sugar cane and consumed as a digestive. 'Café Rica' is a liquor based on coffee. Salud!