Costa Rican Snacks

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Have you ever wondered about what kind of snacks they sell in Costa Rica? If you’re traveling there (or anywhere, for that matter) you’ll probably be wondering what kind of goodies you can nosh on in your free time. It’s okay–it’s human nature, and it’s fun to try new things.

Well, lucky for you, Costa Rica has some incredible munchies, so whenever it’s safe to travel back, you can support your local Costa Rican supermarket or pulperia and grab some of these delectable goodies:

Chiky Cookies

One of my all-time favorite snacks in Costa Rica are the famous Chiky cookies. They sold these cookies way back in 1984 when I went to Costa Rica the first time as an exchange student and they’re still one of the best-selling cookies (if not the best) in the country.

These cookies are pretty simple–a plain sugar cookie with one side dipped in chocolate–mmmm. Sometimes the simplest foods are the very best.

Of course, then Chiky got crafty and decided to experiment with different flavors. Over the years, they’ve come out with Chiky chocolate, strawberry, banana and chocolate-peanut.

More recently, they’ve released cappuccino, caramel, mint, dark chocolate Chikys shaped like soccer balls, Chiky chips, lemon flavor, Chiky wafer, thin & crispy Chiky and even orange Chiky. Many of these are seasonal and out for a limited time.

Chiky also released a Christmas flavor too, and in the last couple of weeks, Chiky released marshmallow (kind of like a Mallo-Mar) with sprinkles.

Oh Chiky, you’re so amazing. I even love the artwork on every package!

Chikys are manufactured by Pozuelo (who sell other scrumptious cookies) and I have to hand it to them–they’re always coming out with new flavors–usually for a limited time only, but it keeps the brand exciting.

Yipy Cookies

Another highly-addictive cookie product sold in Costa Rica is the Pozuelo Yipy wafer. These delights come in white chocolate (which are oddly satisfying, coming from someone who isn’t crazy about white chocolate), regular chocolate and orange flavored.

Not only are these a must-try, but they also make great gifts when you’re souvenir shopping at your local Costa Rican supermarket.

Cajeta de Leche and Coco

If you ever get a chance to try what’s called a “cajeta”, please do so. Cajeta is basically a sweet treat that’s similar to what we know as fudge. It’s often sold at neighborhood stores, or pulperias, and you’ll often find them wrapped in plastic hanging near the cash register.

Cajeta de leche is made from milk and sugar and it’s boiled down to a soft stage. Some recipes actually use the popular Dos Pinos Leche Pinito powdered milk instead and the result is a sweet, creamy, delectable treat that will knock your socks off.

Another variety of cajeta is coconut and it’s made the same way only grated coconut is added to the recipe until it’s thick. These treats are extremely sweet which is why they’re usually sold in small quantities.

Many times you’ll see coconut cajeta pressed into a crispy pastry circle and also sold in plastic.

You might also see sweetened coconut sold at the beach.

Guava Pastries

Why is it so hard to find guava jam here (at least in upstate New York)? And the Tricopilia slabs don’t count.

Anyway, whenever I’m in Costa Rica, I have to pick up guava jam empanada pastries. In Cartago, they’re readily available at the Super Despensa supermarket in the middle of town, and coffee shops often sell them, too.

There’s something so delicious about guava pastries with a good cup of coffee. Maybe it’s better they don’t sell the jam where I live because, to me, it’s a truly Costa Rican flavor.

Chips and Salty Snacks

If you really wanted to buy Doritos in Costa Rica you could, but I encourage you not to.

First, they’re really expensive since they’re imported, and second–why would you want to? You’re in Costa Rica after all and they have some great chips and salty snacks. Try something new and support Costa Rican brands while you’re there.

At the supermarket, snag a bag of chili and lime flavored Tronaditas, chili flavored sticks called Chirulitos or Bravos made by the company Tosty. Picaronas or Meneitos cheese snacks and others by Jack’s are also fun for snack time back at the hotel.

You can also try something even more different such as plantain or yucca chips. Grab a bag of corn bizcocho. Made from corn dough and formed into ring shapes, bizcocho is baked until it’s crisp and delicious.

The Candy Aisle

If you’ve just got to have your sweets in Costa Rica, make sure you hit up the supermarket candy aisle.

Tasty treats I recommend are the little Gallito Tapitas. These come in both plain and crispy and are wrapped in gold foil. They’re an easy and simple burst of chocolaty goodness and are also another remnant of 1984, so they’re sentimental to me.

For a little fun grab a box of Gallito Copetines, also known as Guaritos. These chocolate candies are filled with guaro, a liquor made in Costa Rica. And no, you won’t get drunk on these unless you eat lots, and lots, and lots….

Other contenders include Gallito Guayabitas, chocholate covered guava jelly and Gallito Morenitos, a milky caramel flavored hard candy. And, if you’re lucky and find a bag of “melcocha de natilla”, do yourself a favor and buy it. These rustic candies have a satisfying molasses flavor that’s incredibly delicious.

In Cartago, you might find another vintage melcocha by Tres Estrellas, and these have a tiny bit of coconut and are mouth-watering, as well.

Store-Bought Ice Cream

If you’ve ever been to Costa Rica, you’ve probably been to Pop’s ice cream. This chain is all over Costa Rica and has some very distinct flavors, especially its tropical fruit flavored sorbets, or “nieve”.

But what about store bought choices? If you love Pop’s, turns out they sell packed frozen treats in the grocery store, too!

Another ice cream to try is the Dos Pinos brand. This brand has been sold for decades in Costa Rica and also makes yogurt, cheese, milk and orange juice. It’s a terrific brand.

Costa Rica is always coming out with new flavors if ice cream and many are based on other treats I’ve already mentioned here. For example—drumroll–Chiky ice cream! I can’t wait to try this!

You’ll also find candy-themed ice cream such as Tapitas flavor.

So what does this mean for you and me? It means our diets are going down the drain.

Costa Rican Snacks Rock

Costa Rican snacks are constantly evolving. Chiky comes out with a few limited time only flavors per year, so it’s best to try them when you get the chance.

By all means, don’t come to Costa Rica and just snack out all the time, you’ve got plenty of tropical fruits to try as well as juices and Costa Rican cuisine, but when the urge to grab a snack or two (or three) comes knocking, you won’t be disappointed because Costa Rican snacks completely rock.

Do you have a favorite Costa Rican snack that has melted your heart? And how bad are you missing it right now? Let me know in the comments below!