What to Expect from Costa Rica Food and Drink

Costa Rica food, like many Central and South American countries have built their diets on the foundation of native residents combined with Spanish influence. The food here has a distinct simplicity around which flavorful dishes are created.

Most dishes are built around the staple of steamed or fried rice and black beans, served with almost every meal.




costa rica food cafe

For breakfast, you may enjoy eggs or friend plantains, but the real treasure of the Costa Rican breakfast is the “café con leche”, which is popular in many Caribbean countries. Similar to a cappuccino with hot milk and espresso (without any foam), it is both tasty and filling.

Most Costa Rica food and cuisine is easy to digest and doesn’t incorporate a lot of unusual herbs and spices to which expatriates retiring from the United States can become accustomed with little concern. The natives are not huge fans of fruits and vegetables, and you’ll find that the majority of these are used as garnish as opposed to true meal elements. However, casado is a favorite for lunch, which is basically the standard rice and beans with cabbage and tomato salad, fried plantains, and meat. Celery, lettuce, potatoes, and some peppers also find their way into some meals.
costa-rica-foodBeef, chicken, and fish tend to form the main part of a meal, with arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) being a local favorite. While Costa Rica does boast long coastlines and a large seafood industry, a majority of the shrimp and other seafood is exported to help the economy, so this luxury food is still a bit costly.
When it comes to Costa Rica food, simple dishes are the norm, but as foreign-born individuals, many retirees should beware of certain foods that may prove to be a little less forgiving on the digestive and circulatory system. For example, chicharrones (fried pork skins) are often a flavored snack offered with beer or drinks that are a little too heavy on the grease and oil for newcomers.
Of course, Costa Rica is known for its coffee, which is also exported to locations around the world. If you like to try new things, take a taste of a horchata, which is a traditional cinnamon flavored cornmeal drink. For those who like beer, local brews are quite good.
When it comes to water, you may want to invest in a filtration system or actually purchase bottled water, though the water supply is generally clean and, over time, the system can become used to the taste and variance in minerals from their former home supply.
Take advantage of any opportunity to purchase tropical fruits at local markets because they will be fresh and light as opposed to some of the heavier traditional foods you find in local cafes and eateries. Overall, the cuisine in Costa Rica is simple and won’t shock most individuals who are making the move from the United States to this tropical


Return to the Costa Rica Retirement Page
Click here to return from Costa Rica Food to The Best Places To Retire Overseas



Leave a Reply