A taste of costa rica

Experience the culinary revolution taking over San José and discover the coffee plantations of the Central Valley with a Costa Rican road trip

In Costa Rica, the words pura vida (pure life) are less of an expression and more of a way of life. You might hear Ticos utter them as a greeting or an exclamation, but you could just as easily apply them to the country’s natural landscapes – a kaleidoscope of cloud forests and tropical beaches – and its food.

With San José going through a renaissance and Latin American cuisine firmly on the international map, Costa Rica is growing into a thriving foodie destination. A two-week-long road trip should give you plenty of time to eat your way from coast to coast. Here are some spots you shouldn’t miss:

San José

Old and new mingle in the capital’s vibrant streets. Head to Central Market and you’ll find stalls filled with artisan chocolates and barista coffee, as well as a soda (diner-style restaurant) in every corner. Here you can try gallo pinto (rice and beans) and casado (a version of rice and beans topped with meat or fish), two dishes that are the heart and soul of Costa Rican cuisine. Fancy something a little more upscale? Make your way downtown to meet the new-wave cafés and restaurants redefining the city’s food scene, serving up delights like sirloin steak in locally produced coffee sauce.

Beyond the capital

Once you’re done with San José, you could stop off at a coffee plantation in the nearby Central Valley to witness how the beans are produced. Fancy surfing? Guanacaste and Dominical on the Pacific coast are great spots to catch some waves – and sample the freshest white sea bass ceviche, of course. Wildlife enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast. Here you’ll find a thriving AfroCaribbean community and try dishes like rondón, a spicy coconut soup with yucca, sweet potato and the catch of the day.