My Travel Optimizer

Here are some of the ways that I save money on food when I am in Costa Rica. The first thing I do is avoid all North American franchise restaurants. They are very expensive. They cost even more than their North American counterparts. On a personal note I would not travel all that way just to eat at a Denny’s.

Many grocery stores in CR have a cafeteria inside. You can find great meals at low prices. Food is cheap in Costa Rica unless you are eating at the places that cater to gringos, Europeans or the Costa Rican upper class. While you are in the grocery stores you can check out some other good eats. Costa Ricans love tuna and they sell it in varieties that we do not have here. Their canned tuna can include vegetables and sauces to add flavor. Many cans have the lids that do not require a can opener. Its all super safe to eat by the way. You can also try out the black refried beans. You can buy them in squeeze packets with added sauces like Lizano(the bomb!).  Costa Rican food is not very spicy so you do not have to worry about burning your mouth.

Tortillas are everywhere and they are cheap. They are filling and a convenient way to eat your tuna or beans. Heart of Palm has started to catch on here in the States and if you like it you’ll be in heaven in Costa Rica because its cheap and delicious. There are also plantain chips and many excellent hot sauces and condiments. If you favor the exotic try the Pejiballe. It’s a fruit of the palm tree. Spread a little mayonnaise on them and you are good to go. I can’t get enough of them but its probably an acquired taste.

Costa Rica has great bakeries. There is a huge selection of breads, cakes and all sorts of other goodies. Ditto for the candy selection. It’s all very affordable, especially once you are out of a tourist area. Its one of the reasons I recommend renting a car. Load up on bread and pastries for a quick and easy breakfast.

You can find cheap eateries at bus stops and in city centers. Pipasa is a fried chicken stand and it’s very good. You will save a lot of money on food if you go to the small places that the locals frequent. Don’t be intimidated. Costa Ricans are good people and most will be amused to see a gringo or other foreigner in their establishment.

Another advantage of driving a car is being able to stop at the roadside fruit and vegetable stands. This is one of your best food deals. First off, Costa Rican produce is EXCELLENT. The rich volcanic soil is extremely fertile and yields great tasting fruits and vegetables. It’s the reason Costa Rican coffee is so good. You can load up on papayas, watermelons, cantaloupes, mangoes and other fruits for prices that are a complete steal compared to North American grocery stores.

A lot of restaurants in CR are pretty reasonably priced. We’ve had a fresh Snapper (caught that day) meal for two people for $20. That included the drinks (fruit shakes) and a table on a beach with a view of the setting sun. Look for the small eateries in the markets that you’ll find in city centers. Pull up a chair to the counter and order a meal for $3 or $4. You can ask for the casado (kha-sah-doe) which is a generic dish made of rice, beans, some type of meat and salad or vegetable.

While some hotels may have a cheap restaurant nearby I find the restaurants in the hotels to be pretty pricey.  They’re okay for a coffee but not a meal.

Oh yeah, ask for coffee. A lot of it. Its great and ridiculously cheap.

To sum up, look for cheap food in

1. Cafeterias in grocery stores
2. downtown marketplaces(indoors many times)
3. road side fruit stands
4. bus stop eateries
5. small cafe’s and restaurants in non-touristy areas

Avoid

1. American franchises or American themed restaurants
2. Malls(they have them down there)
3. Hotels

Be wary in tourist areas. Some restaurants close to attractions or points of transport will really try to stick it to you.

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Tags: Food