A key determinant of whether you enjoy your vacation anywhere in the world (or not) is the variety and tastes of the local foods you experience.

Costa Rica, like a lot of other central and south American countries, has some well known specialities that you must try when visiting this fantastic country.

Top of the list is Gallo Pinto or beans and rice. This is a staple of the Costa Rican diet and on every menu whether breakfast, lunch or dinner.  It is also often referred to as the comida tipica and is delicious.

Next is Ceviche. Some people think it raw fish like sushi but this is not true as the fresh fish is cooked in juice of lemon whilst sitting in the fridge and cilantro and onions too. I love it and could eat it all day.

Empanadas are another typical food of Costa Rica. Made of either corn or maize, these round flat bread turnovers are filled with beans, cheese and maybe potatoes and meat.

For me, Costa Rica is about the fresh fish and wonderfully fresh fruits that are in abundance. They include papaya, mango, piña (pineapple), sandía (watermelon), melón (cantaloupe), moras (blackberries), limones (lemons), guayaba (guava), granadilla (passion fruit), and aguacates (avocados). Many of these are served plain or as a refresco, a blended drink with ice.

The best of these is pipa or coconut juice. It is a natural isotonic drink that is enriched with vitamins and minerals. Coconut juice has become a ‘super drink’ back in the UK and I can pick them straight off the palm trees!

Buen Provecho!

Dahlia Nahome is the Costa Rica editor for Wandering Educators.
As well as running her rental business, www.costaricanvacation.com  she also enjoys writing about and raising the profile of the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica and has work published on various travel blogs.
You may reach her at dahlia at costaricanvacation dot com.

IMAGE COURTESY OF http://peterkfitness.com/tag/coconut-water/