Must-see restaurants in Costa Rica
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…
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
At the corner of the soccer field, Restaurante El Parque offers a central location and big buffet, both of which make it popular with tour groups passing…
Monteverde & Around
This small restaurant at the entrance to the reserve has a decent variety of sandwiches, salads and traditional Costa Rican dishes. Like at most national…
Central Valley & Highlands
About 1km from the center of Atenas and within sight of the Monumento al Boyero, this open-air restaurant specializes in fried pork dishes, barbecue and…
Central Valley & Highlands
If you are desperate for a bite, Rosa prepares cheap, quick and satisfying local meals (mixed rice and fish, steak or chicken casados) from her simple…
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…
San José
This informal pastry shop has a wide variety of freshly baked, cavity-inducing goodies. The coffee is strong and it’s a sweet way to pass the time if you…
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…
Central Valley & Highlands
In the upstairs area of Fábrica de Carretas Eloy Alfaro, this soda serves up breakfasts, brunch and buffets.
Arenal & Northern Lowlands
Well-stocked and cheap, this is where you can buy all the snacks you need for your journey over the border. It’s two blocks north of the bus station.
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.
Central Valley & Highlands
Self-caterers can stock up on groceries at this supermarket next to the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto football stadium.
Puerto Limón
It's not the prettiest of Costa Rican markets, but you can find sodas (and affordable knickknacks) here.
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Self-caterers can stock up at this local market, located in Santa Teresa, 3km north of the T intersection.
Sarapiquí Valley
Self-caterers will find what they need at the local supermarket on the main road at the entrance to town.
Caribbean Coast
This huge supermarket is 800m northeast of the bus terminal, along Guápiles' eastbound main street.
Playa Tamarindo
There are several supermarkets around town, including this one conveniently close to the main drag.
Arenal & Around
If you need to pack a picnic, head to the grocery store across from the Parque Central.
Puerto Limón
This huge supermarket, 200m north of the bus terminal, is useful for self-caterers.
Northwestern Costa Rica
Stock up on snacks and water for your trip to Palo Verde, or wherever you are headed.
Playa Tamarindo
Get your provisions at this local supermarket, next to the Shrimp Hole snack shack.
Central Valley & Highlands
Decent grocery store with reasonable prices also sells sim cards.
