Costa Rica Travel Guide

Central & South America #4 in Best Cheap Vacations in Central and South America

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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 – a type of savory fruit) 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 are 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. Taking a food tour in San José is a great way to get a taste for the country's unique markets and flavors.

Find the Best Restaurants in Costa Rica

#1
Casa Turire
#1 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (107)
$ - $$ | Central American, Costa Rican, International
South on 20km, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#2
Restaurante Rancho del Sapito
#2 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (188)
$ - $$ | Latin, Central American, Costa Rican
Coliblanco de Alvarado Carretera, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#3
La Estacion Tapas & Bistro
#3 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (76)
$ - $$ | Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean, Spanish
Avenida 16 In Front Of The Red Cross, Plaza Rojitas, Local No.16, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#4
Wok and Roll
#4 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (74)
$ - $$ | Japanese, Sushi, Asian, Chinese, Fusion
Calle 1, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#5
Don Porfi
#5 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (51)
$ - $$ | South American, Costa Rican
Carretera Al Volcan Turrialba 3 Km De La Ville, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#6
Adriano's Restaurante
#6 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (59)
$ - $$ | Central American, Costa Rican, Latin, European, Spanish, South American
Canada la Suiza 150 norte de la escuela de Canada Turrialba, Turrialba 6799 Costa Rica
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#7
Turrialtico
#7 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (64)
$ - $$ | Latin, Central American, Spanish
10, Turrialba 121-7150 Costa Rica
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#8
La Angostura
#8 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (27)
$ - $$ | South American, Costa Rican
Eslabon, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#9
Sitios Angostura
#9 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (17)
$ | Latin, Costa Rican, Spanish, South American
Sitio de Mata Pavones Camino a Siquirres Camino Al Hotel Tayutic, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#10
Rio
#10 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (38)
$ - $$ | Italian, Latin, Costa Rican, Pizza, Spanish
Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#11
Maracuya Cafe & Lunch
#11 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (13)
Calle 2 north of Av 10, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#12
Soda La U
#12 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (17)
$ | Costa Rican, Healthy, South American
10, Turrialba Costa Rica
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#13
Cafe Sunt
#13 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (10)
$ - $$ | Cafe
Plaza Arce - 100 Metros Estey y 50 Metros Norte Del Parque Central, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#14
Rancho de Jose
#14 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (23)
$ - $$ | Costa Rican
El Carmen, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#15
Carnitas Chani
#15 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (6)
$ - $$ | Barbecue
San Rafael de Santa Cruz, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#16
Rancho JSM
#16 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (8)
$ - $$ | International, Grill, South American, Costa Rican
Cruce De Angostura Frente Al Servicentro Jsm, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#17
Restaurante La Feria
#17 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (26)
$ - $$ | Central American, Costa Rican, International, Spanish
Avenida 4, Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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#18
Valle Verde Arte y Cafe
#18 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (14)
$ | Venezuelan, Costa Rican, South American
Carretera Hacia Siguires Sala De Maquina Del Ice, Hacienda Monteclaro, Turrialba 30506 Costa Rica
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#19
Aroma de Montana
#19 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (6)
$ - $$ | South American, Costa Rican
East from Bajo Pacuare, Tayutic 5 Km Road to Grano de Oro, Turrialba 7150 Costa Rica
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#20
Respira by Jose Mario
#20 of 45 Places to Eat in Turrialba
Tripadvisor (4)
$ | Healthy
Turrialba 30501 Costa Rica
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