What to eat Costa Rica? culinary specialties and gastronomy

Restaurant opening hours are much the same as in France. But beware: in Costa Rica, we adapt to the rhythm of the sun, and some restaurants may close as early as 8pm. So be sure to ask before you go. In tourist areas, restaurants stay open until 10pm. Mealtimes in Costa Rica are also slightly different from those in France. Ticos generally rise and set with the sun. Rather early risers, Costa Ricans get up around 5-6am and then have a breakfast of champions, which is quite copious to say the least! A quick, light snack is quickly swallowed by midday. To round off the day, dinner starts at 5pm.

In Costa Rica, many small, popular restaurants, also known as sodas, are easy to spot thanks to their open construction on three or four sides. Most often covered in palm fronds or corrugated iron, these little establishments serve fresh, local food at low prices. They serve staples such as casado, gallo pinto or empanadas, and sometimes even daily specials. If you're lucky, you'll enjoy an extraordinary view of the beach, the forest or the mountains, but sometimes of the road... In any case, this is where the locals eat! And don't forget the pulperías, small shops - a bit like grocery stores in our villages! -where you can get something to eat. And if you want to save money and still feel full, try the casado, a complete meal in itself! It's a plate filled with white rice, meat or fish, black beans, plantains (fried or pan-fried) and a salad of tomatoes, fresh cabbage, carrots, red onions... all perfectly seasoned with lemon juice.

Tipping (la propina in Spanish) is not a common practice in Costa Rica. Even if North American culture, accustomed to this well-established practice, has exported the tipping reflex to Ticos. Service is generally included. If this is not the case and the service you receive warrants a tip, be aware that the average tipping percentage is between 5 and 10% for tour guides and between 15 and 20% in restaurants. Tips can be given in US dollars or Costa Rican colones. Tips in dollars are preferred (more stable than colones).

In Costa Rica, the most important meal of the day is breakfast. To build up your strength before setting off on your excursions, opt for Gallo Pinto! This typical dish is a mixture of rice and black beans, accompanied by plantain, eggs and cheese. You'll find it everywhere, in restaurants, sodas or on hotel buffets. In the countryside and among the working classes, breakfast tends to be burritos (kidney beans, cheese, omelette, wrapped in a wheat or corn tortilla ). And let's not forget coffee, the national beverage: Costa Ricans use a kind of sock as a filter, placed on a wooden stand.

Be careful where you smoke: smoking is prohibited in all restaurants. Costa Rica has a very strict smoking policy, even outdoors.

Most bars and clubs come alive on weekends, but the crowds don't usually leave until 10 or 11 pm. Once the party's underway, closing times vary widely. Some places close at 2 a.m., but others, such as beach clubs and other open-air structures, may close later.

If you're satisfied with the service, it's customary to tip the waiter 15-20%.

The minimum drinking age is 18.

In Costa Rica, it's customary to have "ladies' nights", a popular practice that guarantees ladies free entry to clubs and free drinks. For an aperitif, there's nothing better than a cocktail at sunset!

Smoking is not permitted in public places.