Food

You thought you knew what a guava was until you heard of guayaba. But then, they threw in Guayabo. And guanabana? Why is this so confusing? Here’s how to tell the difference.

I discovered cilantro back in 1984 during my first visit to Costa Rica. I had never heard of it and surely had never seen it back home. Strangely, there was an entire mystery surrounding cilantro before I eventually figured out what it was, months after landing. It started when I noticed a flavor in some … Read more

Tamales are one of the many foods people assume are only Mexican, and that they’re the same everywhere. While Mexico has its version of tamales, the Costa Rica tamal is a little different. Here’s the scoop on this wonderfully delicious Costa Rican comfort food. Tamales at Christmas If you are ever lucky enough to be … Read more

  This post contains an affiliate link that I may earn a small commission from at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I have used myself and enjoy.   Salsa Lizano. You see it on almost every restaurant table in Costa Rica. That small brown bottle with the green and red logo. … Read more

I’m a true believer that almost anything tastes better when you fry it. Notice I didn’t say it’s better for you. It’s just better. In Costa Rica, these fried goodies taste a hundred times better than at home. The fish, the French fries, battered chicken, empanadas–you get the idea. And the smell is unbelievable. I’m … Read more

There’s no doubt about it—Costa Rica’s snacks are the best! Read all about the goodies you can find in your local Costa Rican supermarket from cookies to chips to ice cream. Happy snacking!