Tortuguero Village
Ambient club music, Tibetan prayer flags and a river view give this trendy cafe a tranquil vibe. It’s a pleasant setting for pizzas, salads, cocktails and…
Must-see restaurants in Caribbean Coast
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Directly across from the bus stop, this authentic gelateria has up to 80 flavors on rotation, including non-dairy and vegan options. It's the perfect…
Tortuguero Village
Thanks to its predawn opening time, this is a good spot to pick up homemade banana bread, lemon-and-orange cake or cinnamon rolls before an early-morning…
Caribbean Coast
Right next to the dock, no-nonsense doña Amelia serves up fresh, tasty fish and meat casados, plus rice and beans cooked in a coconut Creole-style sauce…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
This bakery on Puerto Viejo's main drag draws a devoted following with its fabulous focaccia, along with slices of pizza, apple strudels, profiteroles and…
Puerto Limón
This macrobiotic grocery store sells healthy vegetarian foods, vitamins and some things made of soy.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
This local grocery store is ideal for budget travelers.
Caribbean Coast
The clutter of pick-up trucks out front is a clue that you've stumbled on this popular family eatery serving grilled fish, roasted meats and bocas (savory…
Southern Caribbean
This roadside cafe is a perfect place to break your bike ride along the coast and grab a quick chocolate fix in the process. Batidos, coffee and ice cream…
Tortuguero Village
Between the dock and the national park, this cozy log-cabin-like place will lure you in with the delicious smoky aroma of grilled chicken and pork ribs…
Cahuita
This humble spot on Cahuita's main street (a few hundred metres from the Kelly Creek national-park entrance) serves delicious, reasonably priced casados…
Caribbean Coast
This independent coffee, shake and smoothie shop has wrought-iron chairs and faux plants. The open-air patio is a good spot to eat breakfast or grab an…
Caribbean Coast
Simple dark-green-painted soda with an outdoor porch area and chunky wooden tables. The chef serves salchipapas (hot-dog-garnished Latin American french…
Puerto Limón
This simple lunch spot squeezes fresh fruit and blends it into smoothies (from US$2) of every color and flavor. It also serves less healthy antojeria …
Caribbean Coast
Situated 600m west of Taco Bell on the south side of the main highway, this popular soda (informal lunch counter) is a good bet for early breakfasts (rice…
Caribbean Coast
The small restaurant attached to Hotel Irdama serves breakfast and tasty casados (set meals), plus hamburgers, sandwiches and gallos (beans and rice).
Caribbean Coast
Bright-green soda a few hundred meters north of the boat landing, serving fresh-fruit smoothies, fried fish from the local area, various taco dishes, and…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Atmospherically lit with colorful paper globe lanterns, this place offers up something for everyone – Thai, Indian and Indonesian curries, sushi, pasta,…
Tortuguero Village
Recover from a hike in the park at this riverside soda, serving jugos (juices), burgers and casados. It’s about 200m north of the park entrance.
Puerto Limón
On the beach at Playa Bonita, Reina's has loud music, good vibes and plenty of mariscos (seafood) plus a laundry list of cocktails.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Those looking to eat cheaply will do well at this chain grocery store.
Southern Caribbean
After a hot jungle hike, you may think you're hallucinating when you see this place at the end of the road. It’s not a mirage, just a well-placed bar…
Southern Caribbean
If you must eat at the border, this place is your best bet. Pork, beef, chicken, snapper and patacones (fried plantains) are all on the menu. From the…
Southern Caribbean
A small restaurant near Cabinas El Piculino towards the bus station, with outdoor seating and tasty casados (beans, rice, vegetables, a small salad and a…
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
This sceney Mediterranean lounge and restaurant serves overpriced fresh pastas, tasty pizzas and fancy cocktails and has a romantic ambience. Its main…
Tortuguero Village
This little place on the north side of the soccer field dishes out flavorful local food, including pork chops, fish and well-spiced Caribbean chicken. It…
Southern Caribbean
Run by the helpful Carlos and Miriam, this busy restaurant adjacent to the bus stop serves breakfast, casados, chicken with rice, fried plantains and…
Caribbean Coast
Right in the middle of town, this soda serves up chicken wings and burgers and is a relaxed place to watch village life meander by.
Puerto Limón
It's not the prettiest of Costa Rican markets, but you can find sodas (and affordable knickknacks) here.
Caribbean Coast
This huge supermarket is 800m northeast of the bus terminal, along Guápiles' eastbound main street.
Puerto Limón
This huge supermarket, 200m north of the bus terminal, is useful for self-caterers.
