Food

To generalize a Costa Rican meal, one would certainly have to talk about black beans and rice (gallo pinto). This simple, standard dish, often referred to as comida tipica, is the backbone of Costa Rican cuisine.


Costa Rican food is generally quite healthy when coupled with an active lifestyle. Cheese and other dairy products are rarely utilized. Often served with a good portion of fruits or vegetables or both, the meals are very well rounded and generally high in fiber.

Common Dishes

Tortilla - name for either a small, thin corn tortilla, or an omellete
Tortilla de queso - a thick tortilla with cheese in the dough
Arreglados - greasy puff pastries made with meat
Tortas - sandwiches on buns
Arroz con polo - rice with chicken and vegetables
Gallos - meat, beans, or cheese between two tortillas
Masamorra - corn pudding
Natilla - sour cream of a relatively thin consistency
Palomitas de maíz - popcorn
Picadillo - sautéed vegetables sometimes with meat, served as a side dish
Tacos - meat and cabbage salad tucked into a tortilla
Tamal de elote - sweet corn tamales wrapped in corn husks
Tamales - cornmeal, often stuffed with pork or chicken, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled