Costa Rican Food and Before-You-Go Tips
Half the pleasure of Manuel Antonio is at the table: gallo pinto at sunrise, ceviche by the sea, a mango batido after the park. This guide covers what to eat and where, and everything practical to know before you fly, from colones and tipping to plugs, rain and what to pack, from the team at ECOTICA.
Quick facts before you go
| Topic | The short answer |
|---|---|
| Currency | Costa Rican colón (₡, CRC). US dollars are accepted in most tourist places. |
| Cards | Accepted in most hotels and restaurants; carry small colones for buses, sodas and markets. |
| On restaurant bills | A 10% service charge set by law (Ley 4946) and 13% VAT (IVA). |
| Electricity | 120 V, 60 Hz; plug types A and B, the same as in the United States. |
| Time zone | Central Standard Time (UTC−6) all year; no daylight saving. |
| Emergencies | Dial 911. |
| Seasons on this coast | Drier from about mid-December to mid-April; green season with afternoon rain from about mid-April to mid-December (SINAC). |
| National park | Closed on Tuesdays; tickets sold online only (SINAC). |
| Entry rules | A valid passport and onward ticket; details depend on nationality. Check Costa Rica’s immigration office. |
What to eat: the dishes worth knowing
Costa Rican cooking is honest, fresh and generous. It is built on rice, beans, corn, plantain, fresh herbs and whatever the farm or the sea brought in that morning. Nothing is fiery; the heat, if you want it, comes from a bottle of chile sauce on the table. These are the dishes you will meet again and again, and the ones we hope you try.
Gallo pinto
The national breakfast. Rice and black beans are fried together with onion, sweet pepper and cilantro, often with a splash of salsa Lizano, the tangy brown sauce found on almost every Costa Rican table. It usually arrives with eggs, fried sweet plantain, tortillas or toast, a spoon of natilla (a mild sour cream) and a cup of local coffee. A plate of gallo pinto at sunrise, with toucans calling in the trees, is a very good start to a park day.
Casado
The everyday lunch. “Casado” means “married”, and the plate marries rice, beans, a simple salad, sweet plantain and a main of fish, chicken, pork or beef, sometimes with a picadillo (a finely chopped vegetable hash) on the side. It is filling, good value and the best way to taste home cooking at a soda. Vegetarian casados are easy to find.
Ceviche
On this coast, ceviche is a way of life. Fresh white fish is cut small and cured in lime juice with onion, cilantro and sweet pepper, then served cold with crackers or plantain chips. It is light, bright and perfect after a morning in the sun. Order it where fish moves quickly, such as busy seafood places in Quepos.
Patacones
Green plantain, sliced, fried, pressed flat and fried again until crisp. Patacones come as a side or a snack, usually with refried black beans, guacamole or pico de gallo for dipping. They are a happy order to share over a cold drink at sunset.
Olla de carne
A deeply comforting beef and vegetable soup. Chunks of beef simmer slowly with cassava (yuca), chayote, corn, potato, carrot and squash, and the soup is served with rice on the side. It is home cooking, often found at sodas on cooler, rainy days.
Tamales
Corn dough filled with pork or chicken, rice and vegetables, wrapped in plantain leaves and steamed. Tamales are a Christmas tradition in Costa Rica, when families gather to make dozens at a time, and you will see them at markets and bakeries during the holidays and beyond.
For the story behind these dishes, and the banana and coffee history of this coast, read our history and culture guide.
Tropical fruit, batidos, coffee and chocolate
Fruit you will want to try
The fruit here tastes the way fruit is supposed to taste. Beyond perfect pineapple, papaya, mango and banana, look for these at markets and on breakfast tables:
- Mamón chino (rambutan): a hairy red shell around sweet, translucent flesh, sold by the bunch in season.
- Guanábana (soursop): creamy and tangy, wonderful in a batido.
- Maracuyá (passion fruit): sharp and fragrant, often in juices and desserts.
- Cas: a small, sour guava relative that Costa Ricans love in juice.
- Carambola (star fruit) and pipa, a young green coconut opened with a machete so you can drink the water straight from the shell.
Batidos and frescos
A batido is fresh fruit blended with ice, either en agua (with water) or en leche (with milk). Order one with any casado; mango, strawberry, blackberry (mora), papaya and guanábana are classics. A “fresco natural” is a lighter fruit drink. Ask for less sugar (“con poquita azúcar”) if you prefer it lighter.
Coffee
Costa Rica grows high-quality Arabica coffee in its highland regions, and the industry is overseen by the national coffee institute (ICAFE). Here it is often brewed the traditional way in a chorreador, a cloth filter on a wooden stand. Good beans make a lovely gift to take home: buy whole beans, check the region and roast date on the bag, and ask for “grano entero” if you have a grinder at home.
Chocolate and vanilla
Cacao grows well in the warm, wet lowlands, and small farms near Quepos turn it into chocolate. On a farm tour you can see a pod split open, taste the sweet white pulp around the beans and learn how fermenting and roasting bring out the flavor. The Villa Vanilla spice farm, in the hills above Quepos, adds vanilla, true cinnamon and other spices to the story; see our waterfalls and day trips guide for details. Our concierge books chocolate, coffee and vanilla tours: request yours here.
Sodas, the Friday market, the marina and our own tables
Sodas: the heart of local food
A soda is a small, family-run diner, and it is where Costa Ricans eat. Expect a short menu on a board, a casado of the day, fresh batidos and friendly service. Quepos has plenty of them, and they cost less than the restaurants on the hill. Lunchtime is the best time to go, when the food is freshest.
The Quepos farmers market (feria)
The feria sets up next to the malecón in Quepos on Friday afternoons into the evening and on Saturday mornings (Pura Vida Traveling). You will find tropical fruit, vegetables, cheese, fresh fish, homemade spices, baked goods and prepared food. Go early on Saturday for the best produce, bring small bills in colones and a reusable bag, and try whatever fruit you do not recognize. Vendors are usually happy to give you a taste.
Seafood from the marina
Quepos is a fishing town, and many sport fishing charters leave from Marina Pez Vela. Fresh fish such as mahi-mahi (dorado) and tuna appear on menus all along the coast, and the marina has waterfront restaurants where you can eat looking at the boats. Our sport fishing guide explains the seasons and catch-and-release rules for billfish.
At ECOTICA
La POZA, our poolside restaurant and bar, is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for everyone, not only hotel guests, with happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. It is a lovely place to watch for monkeys and toucans while you eat, since much of the wildlife in this guide moves through our 10-acre reserve. In the evening, YOLO Social serves dinner and cocktails from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with live music every night and sports on big screens. Breakfast is included for ECOTICA guests. More evening ideas are in live music in Manuel Antonio.
Dietary needs
Costa Rican food is easy to adapt. Rice, beans, corn tortillas, plantain, fruit and vegetables are everyday ingredients, so vegetarian and gluten-free eating are simple, and vegan meals are easy once you ask. A few useful phrases:
- Soy vegetariano / vegetariana: I am vegetarian.
- Sin carne, sin lácteos: no meat, no dairy.
- Sin gluten: gluten-free.
- Soy alérgico / alérgica a…: I am allergic to…
With a serious allergy, carry a card in Spanish that names it, and check sauces and fried foods, which may share oil. Staying with us? Note your needs in the concierge request form and we will share them with the kitchen before you arrive.
Currency, cards, tipping and taxes
Colones and dollars
Costa Rica’s currency is the colón (₡, CRC). In Manuel Antonio and Quepos, US dollars are accepted in most tourist places, and cards work in most hotels and restaurants. Even so, carry some colones in small bills for the local bus, sodas, the farmers market and small shops. If you pay in dollars, change often comes back in colones, which is perfectly normal.
Cards and ATMs
Let your bank know you are traveling and bring a backup card. Quepos has banks with ATMs; using one inside or next to a bank during the day is the simplest choice. Most machines offer both colones and dollars. When a card terminal asks whether to charge in dollars or colones, choosing colones usually avoids an extra conversion by the merchant’s bank.
The 10% service charge and 13% VAT
Two numbers explain most restaurant bills in Costa Rica. A 10% service charge, called servicio, is set by law (Ley 4946) and goes to the staff. On top of that comes the 13% value-added tax, the IVA. Many menus show final prices with both included; others list prices before tax and service, so read the small print. Because service is already on the bill, an extra tip is optional, a thank-you rather than an obligation.
| Situation | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Restaurant bill | 10% service (servicio) and 13% VAT (IVA) are added or already included. Many menus show the final price; check before ordering. |
| Extra tip at a restaurant | Optional, since service is already on the bill. Leave a little more for something special if you like. |
| Tour guides and drivers | Not included in the price; a tip is a welcome thank-you for a great day. |
| Housekeeping and porters | Appreciated, at your discretion. |
| Taxis | Not expected. Rounding up is a kind gesture. |
| Sodas and market stalls | Cash in colones is easiest; small bills help. |
Tour prices change with the season, so we never quote them here. Ask our concierge for current prices on anything you would like to book.
Sun, rain, bugs and what to pack
Two seasons, both beautiful
On this stretch of the Pacific, the drier months run from about mid-December to mid-April, and the green season from about mid-April to mid-December (SINAC). The green season is when the forest is at its most lush and the waterfalls at their fullest. Mornings are often sunny, and the rain tends to arrive in the afternoon, so plan outdoor time early and keep afternoons for the pool, Jungle Spa or a long lunch. September and October bring fewer visitors (SINAC). Our season-by-season guide goes month by month.
Rainy-season tips
- Start the day early and book tours for the morning.
- Pack a dry bag and a spare pair of shoes; things take longer to dry.
- Keep a rainy-afternoon plan ready: a spa treatment, a chocolate or spice farm, or a movie-and-cocktail evening at YOLO Social.
- Allow extra time on the roads after heavy rain.
Sun
The tropical sun is strong even on cloudy days. The CDC suggests sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, protective clothing and limiting time outdoors in the middle of the day (CDC). Reapply after swimming, drink plenty of water and enjoy the beach in the softer light of morning and late afternoon.
Bugs
Mosquitoes are part of life in any rainforest, and a little preparation keeps them pleasant. The CDC recommends repellent with at least 20% DEET or another registered ingredient, plus long sleeves at dawn and dusk, to help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue (CDC). Screened rooms and a fan help at night.
What to pack
| Pack this | Why |
|---|---|
| Light, quick-dry clothes | Warm, humid days; things dry fast |
| Closed walking shoes | SINAC advises against sandals on park trails |
| Water shoes or strapped sandals | Waterfalls, river crossings, rocky beaches |
| Light rain jacket or poncho | Afternoon showers in the green season |
| Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses | Strong tropical sun, especially from late morning to mid-afternoon |
| Insect repellent | Mosquitoes, especially at dawn, dusk and after rain |
| Reusable water bottle | Hot days on trails; less plastic in protected areas |
| Dry bag or zip bags | Phones and passports on boats and at waterfalls |
| Swimsuits (two) | One can dry while you wear the other |
| Binoculars | Sloths, toucans and macaws high in the canopy |
| A light layer | Air-conditioned buses and flights, and breezy evenings |
| Passport and a copy | Park tickets are linked to the ID you book with |
Entry, health, phones and staying well
Entry requirements
Every visitor needs a valid, machine-readable passport and a return or onward ticket. How long your passport must remain valid, and whether you need a visa, depends on your nationality, so check the current rules with Costa Rica’s immigration office, the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, and your airline before you fly. Bring the same passport you used to book your national park tickets.
Health
The CDC recommends that travelers be up to date on routine vaccines and suggests hepatitis A vaccination for most visitors to Costa Rica; the full list is on the CDC Costa Rica page. A yellow fever certificate is needed only if you arrive from certain countries (CDC). Travel insurance that covers medical care is a smart, simple addition. Quepos has pharmacies for everyday needs.
Water
Tap water is treated in many Costa Rican towns, and many travelers drink it without trouble. If you have a sensitive stomach, ask your hotel what they recommend and choose filtered or bottled water. Refill a reusable bottle wherever you can. After heavy rain, the CDC advises caution with rivers and other freshwater that may be contaminated (CDC), so enjoy the clear waterfall pools and the sea on bright days.
Plugs and power
Costa Rica uses 120 V, 60 Hz power with type A and B plugs, the same as the United States and Canada. Visitors from Europe, the UK and elsewhere need a plug adapter, and should check that chargers accept 100–240 V (most phone and laptop chargers do).
Phones and internet
Most hotels, restaurants and cafés have Wi-Fi. For data on the road, you can buy a local prepaid SIM from one of the national carriers (kölbi, Claro or Liberty) at the airport or in town, use an eSIM, or check your home plan’s roaming. A local number makes it easy to message tour operators and drivers on WhatsApp, which is how much of Costa Rica communicates.
Feeling at home and safe
Manuel Antonio is a friendly, welcoming place, and a few everyday habits keep your trip carefree:
- Keep valuables with you or in your room safe, and leave nothing in view in a parked car, as SINAC itself recommends at its parks.
- Swim where it is calm, watch for flags and lifeguards where they are on duty, and ask locally about currents.
- Use licensed taxis (red, with a yellow triangle on the door) and wear something light-colored when walking the hill road after dark.
- Admire wildlife from a respectful distance and keep food out of reach. Our responsible wildlife watching guide explains why it matters.
For any emergency, call 911, the national emergency number for police, ambulance and fire. Hospitals, clinics, snake and ocean know-how are in our health and safety guide, and if an animal needs help, see wildlife rescue.
Planning ahead? Arrange a private airport transfer (US$195 each way for up to five people), book your tours or send any question to our concierge before you land.
Food and travel tips: questions and answers
Should I bring US dollars or colones to Manuel Antonio?
Both are useful. Dollars and cards are accepted in most tourist places, while small colones are easiest for buses, sodas and the farmers market.
Do I need to tip in Costa Rican restaurants?
A 10% service charge is already part of the bill by law, so an extra tip is optional. Tips for guides and drivers are a welcome thank-you.
Why is my restaurant bill higher than the menu price?
Some menus list prices before the 13% VAT (IVA) and the 10% service charge. Many show the final price; check the small print when you order.
Do I need a plug adapter in Costa Rica?
Not if your devices use US-style plugs: Costa Rica uses 120 V with type A and B sockets. Travelers from Europe and the UK should bring an adapter.
Can I drink the tap water in Manuel Antonio?
Many travelers do, since tap water is treated in many towns. If you have a sensitive stomach, ask your hotel and choose filtered water.
When is the Quepos farmers market?
Friday afternoons into the evening and Saturday mornings, next to the malecón in Quepos. Go early on Saturday for the best produce.
What should I eat first in Costa Rica?
Start with gallo pinto for breakfast, a casado at a soda for lunch and fresh ceviche by the sea. Add a mango or guanábana batido.
Is it easy to eat vegetarian or gluten-free?
Yes. Rice, beans, corn tortillas, plantain and fruit are everyday staples. Learn “sin carne” and “sin gluten”, and tell our concierge about any needs before you arrive.
What is the emergency number in Costa Rica?
Dial 911 for police, ambulance or fire anywhere in the country.
What do I need to enter Costa Rica?
A valid passport and a return or onward ticket. Visa rules and passport validity depend on your nationality, so check the Costa Rican immigration office before you travel.
Keep exploring
Keep exploring: plan your arrival with our getting here guide, map out your days with sample itineraries, pick a day out from waterfalls and day trips, get to know the national park, or return to the Manuel Antonio and Quepos travel guide.
Found an animal that needs help? Here is exactly what to do and who to call. For people, our health and safety guide keeps emergency numbers close at hand.
Arrive with everything ready
Tell us your dates and we will have the best of Manuel Antonio waiting for you before you land:
- Book your tours: Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist guide, boat trips, zip lines, rafting and more
- Reserve Jungle Spa: massages, couples treatments, facials and body rituals
- Airport transportation: a private transfer from San José, US$195 each way for up to 5 people
- Concierge requests: dinners, celebrations and anything special
- Stay at ECOTICA: check dates and rates for our bungalows and suites
Where our facts come from
- CDC – Travelers’ health: Costa Rica
- Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería – Visas (requisitos de ingreso)
- WorldStandards – Power plugs, sockets and mains voltage in Costa Rica
- SINAC – Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (clima y recomendaciones)
- Pura Vida Traveling – Quepos farmers market (feria) guide
Photos: Styves Exantus, pedro furtado, Armando Belsoj, Tito Zzzz, Marieth Díaz, Valeria Drozdova, DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ / Pexels.
