If you’re like most travelers, when you think of Costa Rica you imagine lush rain forest, gorgeous beaches, and beautiful wildlife. One thing that rarely comes to mind about this small Central American country? Its food. In fact, if you ask someone what kind of food is typical of Costa Rica, you may get a blank stare instead of a confident answer. And while much of the traditional diet is centered on rice and beans, prepared and served a few different ways, it is not at all impossible to find a greater variety of food throughout the country.

So let’s say you’re heading to Costa Rica soon. You’ve got your tree camping tour booked and have included a visit to a volcano and a turtle nesting site on your itinerary (as suggested in this previous blog post). What’s next? It’s time to figure out where you can get some great food during your vacation, and these 3 hidden gems are definitely worth a visit:

Bread & Chocolate in Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is nothing if not laid back and casual, and there are a number of good restaurants throughout this super-pedestrian friendly town. But Bread & Chocolate wins out as my favorite due to its attention to detail, not to mention all that chocolate. You can’t go wrong with breakfast here. Sure, you could pick an egg sandwich or sautéed potatoes, but why not opt for one of the sweet menu items instead? They are delivered to your table with your own serving of locally produced chocolate, which is perfect for dipping. Coffee is served up in individually sized French presses, adding a welcome touch of elegance without being at all pretentious.

View of San Jose [Photo Credit: Creative Commons 2.5, Erodrigufer]

Mirador Ram Luna in Aserrí

This upscale, yet welcoming restaurant offers guests a bit of everything: dinner, drinks, a show, and last, but certainly not least, a beautiful view of San Jose and the surrounding area. Travelers who are in the know come at around 5pm so that they they can take in the views before the sun sets. The 25-minute drive outside the capital and up into the mountains is a beautiful journey in itself that adds to the experience.

Playa Samara [Photo Credit: Public Domain]

Depending on the timing of your visit you may be pleasantly greeted by dozens, if not hundreds, of curious hermit crabs crawling around you at this sweet on-the-beach restaurant. Seafood and wood grilled meats are the main attraction, but El Lagarto also offers a vegetarian plate of grilled vegetables. The custom built grill serves as much as decoration and entertainment as it does as a cooking area, so be sure to snap a few pics and admire it in all its glory before heading to your table and sticking your toes in the warm sand.

It’s most definitely worth taking some Spanish lessons before your trip so you’ll feel confident ordering off menus while you’re vacationing in Costa Rica. Contact us to learn more about small group classes near you. ¡Buen provecho!