Eating and Drinking in Costa Rica

Why go

This dining guide is about where menu choices fit into a day. A casado gives you rice, beans, a protein and sides in one meal. A plato del día points to the day’s selection, while markets and sodas offer a way to sample fruit, drinks and smaller foods.

Useful to know

• Read the stated protein and sides before ordering a casado or plato del día.
• At a market, look for fruit and a sit-down snack counter if you want a lighter stop.
• For a fruit drink, ask whether it is mixed with water or milk.