Costa Rica Travel Guide

Costa Rica  #3 in Best Places to Visit in January
Credit

Courtesy of Matteo Colombo/Getty Images

What to Eat in Costa Rica

With its tropical temperatures, Costa Rican cuisine features an abundance of exotic fruits (especially pejibayes) and vegetables, and depending on what part of the country you are in, lots of fresh fish. Black beans and rice are a staple and a part of almost every traditional meal. Of course, Costa Rica is famous for its coffee beans (though much of it is exported), but you shouldn't leave without trying a cup.

Common dishes you will see on menus include gallo pinto (rice and beans), ceviche (fish marinated in lemon juice), pati (pastry dough stuffed with curried beef and onions) and agua dulce (warm melted sugarcane). If you visit San José, don't miss the Central Market, which opened in 1880, and is the largest market in the city, with more than 200 shops, stalls and small restaurants.

Find the Best Restaurants in Costa Rica

  • #1
    Casa Turire
    #1 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 96 reviewsTripAdvisor (96)
    $ - $$ | Central American, Costa Rican, International
    South on 20km, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #2
    Restaurante Rancho del Sapito
    #2 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 175 reviewsTripAdvisor (175)
    $ - $$ | Latin, Central American, Costa Rican
    Coliblanco de Alvarado Carretera, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #3
    Wok and Roll
    #3 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 71 reviewsTripAdvisor (71)
    $ - $$ | Chinese, Japanese, Sushi, Asian, Fusion
    Calle 1, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #4
    Adriano's Restaurante
    #4 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 59 reviewsTripAdvisor (59)
    $ - $$ | South American, Central American, Costa Rican
    Canada la Suiza 150 norte de la escuela de Canada Turrialba, Turrialba 6799 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #5
    Turrialtico
    #5 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 57 reviewsTripAdvisor (57)
    $ - $$ | Latin, Spanish, Central American
    10, Turrialba 121-7150 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #6
    La Estacion Tapas & Bistro
    #6 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 51 reviewsTripAdvisor (51)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Mediterranean, Spanish, Steakhouse, Seafood
    Avenida 16 In Front Of The Red Cross, Plaza Rojitas, Local No.16, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #7
    La Angostura
    #7 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 27 reviewsTripAdvisor (27)
    $ - $$ | South American, Costa Rican
    Eslabon, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #8
    Rio
    #8 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 31 reviewsTripAdvisor (31)
    $ - $$ | Italian, Latin, Costa Rican, Spanish
    100 meters north of the Mon Rio Salon, Turrialba 7170 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #9
    Don Porfi
    #9 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 38 reviewsTripAdvisor (38)
    $ - $$ | South American, Costa Rican
    Carretera Al Volcan Turrialba 3 Km De La Ville, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #10
    Cafe Sunt
    #10 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 10 reviewsTripAdvisor (10)
    Plaza Arce - 100 Metros Estey y 50 Metros Norte Del Parque Central, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #11
    Turrialba
    #11 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 21 reviewsTripAdvisor (21)
    Latin, Spanish, Fusion
    Apartado 211, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #12
    Rancho de Jose
    #12 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 23 reviewsTripAdvisor (23)
    $ - $$ | Costa Rican
    El Carmen, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #13
    Sitios Angostura
    #13 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 14 reviewsTripAdvisor (14)
    $ |
    Sitio de Mata Pavones Camino a Siquirres Camino Al Hotel Tayutic, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #14
    Maracuya Cafe & Lunch
    #14 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 9 reviewsTripAdvisor (9)
    Calle 2 north of Av 10, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #15
    La Feria Restaurante
    #15 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 26 reviewsTripAdvisor (26)
    $ - $$ | Latin, International, Spanish, Costa Rican
    Address: Across from Enersol gas station at western entrance to town, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #16
    Rancho JSM
    #16 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 7 reviewsTripAdvisor (7)
    International, Grill, South American, Costa Rican
    Cruce de Angostura frente al Servicentro JSM, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #17
    Soda La U
    #17 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 14 reviewsTripAdvisor (14)
    $ | Healthy
    10, Turrialba Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #18
    Aroma de Montana
    #18 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 6 reviewsTripAdvisor (6)
    $ - $$ | South American, Costa Rican
    East from Bajo Pacuare, Tayutic 5 Km Road to Grano de Oro, Turrialba 7150 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • #19
    Respira by Jose Mario
    #19 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 4 reviewsTripAdvisor (4)
    $ | Healthy
    50m norte del Registro Civil, frente a calle Puntarenas, en la box CrossFit, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
    Read More »
  • Pasteleria Merayo
    #20 of 44 Places to Eat in Turrialba
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 8 reviewsTripAdvisor (8)
    $ |
    Calle 4 Paseo Colon, Avenue 1, Turrialba 48-2300 Costa Rica
    Read More »

Explore More of Costa Rica

You might also like

Jamaica

Jamaica

#1 in Best Destination Wedding Spots in the Caribbean

Belize

Belize

#9 in Best Places to Visit in Central and South America

Chilean Patagonia

Chilean Patagonia

#2 in Best Places to Visit in Central and South America

Explore more vacations »

Recommended

The 20 Best Michigan State Parks

Two peninsulas, four Great Lakes and innumerable natural highlights elevate Michigan's state parks.

Zach WatsonApril 18, 2019

50 Awesome Vacation Ideas for Every Type of Traveler

Consider these vacation ideas for your next getaway.

Holly JohnsonApril 11, 2019

The 13 Best National Parks in California

You won't regret adding one of these national parks to your California itinerary.

Rachel CenterApril 10, 2019

10 Beautiful Places to Visit in the South of France

Plan a getaway to these special destinations to soak up culture, cuisine and quaint atmospheres.

Gwen PratesiApril 8, 2019

Best Carry-on Luggage of 2019

U.S. News rated the best carry-on luggage, considering recommendations from experts and consumers.

Lyn MettlerApril 3, 2019

The 11 Best Utah National Parks and Monuments to Visit

From birding to bouldering to boating, Utah's national parks have it all.

Zach WatsonApril 2, 2019

The 30 Best Zoos in the U.S.

Get an up-close look at wild creatures in natural settings at America's top animal parks.

Kyle McCarthyMarch 28, 2019

15 Scenic Train Rides to Add to Your Bucket List

Climb aboard these locomotives for jaw-dropping views.

Christine SmithMarch 26, 2019

13 Top Places to Visit in Tuscany, Italy

Ditch the crowded streets of Rome or Milan and head to Italy's picturesque countryside.

Lyn MettlerMarch 25, 2019

10 Excellent Educational Vacations for Families

Make sure your next getaway is both enjoyable and informative.

Holly JohnsonMarch 14, 2019