rating food i ate in costa rica 🇨🇷🌺
i ate sooo much food in costa rica and i absolutely loved a lot of the drinks and foods tried. personally i feel like there drinks were a lot better than the food so let’s talk about it! also i loved the country of costa rica and highly recommended traveling there!
let’s rate food!!
🍵matcha 2/10: it tasted like seaweed and you could taste that it wasn’t good quality matcha powder. i added sugar too and it still wasn’t good. the cafe was super cute and had great service!
🥣 açaí bowl 10/10: it was the best thing i ate on the trip! it was so good and tasted natural and full of fruit. it was also super aesthetically pleasing and it kept me wanting more! it was the same cafe as the matcha and it was sooo good!
🍉 fruit smoothies 10/10: you could tell it was just pure fruit and nothing extra. they had a lot of choices and all the smoothies we had were super good. it ’s from a restaurant called jardín tropical. service was really good and everyone was super nice!
🍚 rice with chicken and fries 6/10: the chicken was cooked into the rice. i personally didn’t like the seasoning that was used. the fries were okay but they were kind of hallowed out. overall the food was okay but i wouldn’t order it again. this was in the same restaurant as the fruit drinks and the service was very good. so i recommend ordering something else from the restaurant.
🍏apple pie 7/10: this was at a restaurant in the hotel we were at called papagayo. it was good food but the desserts were pretty generic. this was the best one we tried from the hotel in general. there’s definitely better apple pie but it’s not bad for the hotel. most of the desserts in the hotel were pretty bad but this one i would actually order it again.
🥥 coconut smoothie 10/10 or 4/10: i first had it with alcohol and it was super strong and you could barely taste the coconut. without alcohol it was honestly better because it taste super fruity and you can actually taste the coconut. if you really like drinking you would love this drink, but i personally like it without alcohol.
🍰 matcha cake 5/10: this was from the hotel again and it didn’t take like matcha at all. i don’t like cake that much and it just taste like a regular sponge cake. the ice cream wasn’t bad but I wouldn’t order this again.
🍝 cheese & shrimp ravioli 4/10: it didn’t taste that bad but it was anything special. there was also only 5 pieces of ravioli and shrimp. i don’t know if it was this dish but i got food poisoning or a stomach bug the next day. and i was sick for the next three days after i ate this. im also lactose intolerant so that could have something to do with it…
🍱 papagayo buffet 8/10: this was the best lunch place in the riu hotel and it was overall pretty good. they had a lot of variety and different food types. they also had dessert and fruit options. my plate is full of the best food options and the fried chicken is probably the best ive tried from the buffet. the rice is a little hard or grainy, but rice is based on personal taste. but lunch was always good at papagayo.
🌾 veggie fried rice 9/10: the rice was a lot better in this dish than the others ones in the hotel. it was honestly super good and the seasoning was perfect. i only wish they gave you more food from how good it was. highly recommend the japanese restaurant in the hotel.
🌺if you travel to costa rica try to go out and eat food in the city because it’s more authentic than the hotel food. the drinks were the highlight of the trip and the best parts of my meals!
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My Costa Rica trip was an absolute feast for the senses, and while my main article covered specific ratings, I wanted to dive deeper into some aspects that truly made the food experience unique, both good and bad! First off, let's talk about those incredible acai bowls (I think some people call them 'jungle bowls' too!). You literally can't visit Costa Rica without trying one. My 10/10 rating for the acai bowl wasn't just a fluke; it's because the fruit here is unbelievably fresh. Imagine a bowl packed with perfectly ripe strawberries, bananas, and a generous sprinkle of granola, sometimes even topped with dragon fruit or mango. The natural sweetness and vibrant flavors are just unmatched. I found that local cafes, especially those focused on health and wellness, are the best spots for these. They’re not just breakfast; they’re a refreshing meal that perfectly suits the tropical climate. And speaking of refreshing, the fruit smoothies were another highlight. Forget sugary syrups; in Costa Rica, a 'smoothie' means pure, blended fruit. I tried so many different combinations – from classic mango and papaya to more exotic choices like guanabana and passion fruit (maracuyá). They're perfect for hydrating after a day of exploring, and you can really taste the quality. My tip? Ask for a 'batido en agua' if you want it lighter, or 'batido en leche' for a creamier treat. These were a lifesaver! Now, about that iced matcha latte. My experience was a 2/10, tasting like seaweed, which was a real bummer. It made me realize that while Costa Rica excels in fresh produce, specialty items like high-quality matcha might be harder to find, especially outside of very specific, upscale coffee shops. If you're craving a unique drink, I'd highly recommend sticking to the local coffee (Costa Rican coffee is world-renowned!) or those incredible natural fruit juices. Don't be afraid to try a 'fresca' – it's a traditional fruit drink that's super refreshing. On a more serious note, my cheese and shrimp ravioli experience led to food poisoning, which was definitely a low point. It highlights the importance of being mindful about where you eat, especially when traveling. While hotel buffets like the Papagayo can offer convenience and variety (their fried chicken from the buffet was surprisingly good!), venturing out to local 'sodas' (small, family-run restaurants) often provides the most authentic and fresh meals. Look for places that are busy with locals – that's usually a good sign! Always opt for freshly cooked items, and if something doesn't look or smell right, it's better to be safe than sorry. My advice would be to embrace the local cuisine like Gallo Pinto (rice and beans, a breakfast staple) or a 'Casado' (a plate with rice, beans, salad, plantains, and your choice of meat or fish). These local dishes are not only delicious but often prepared with fresh, local ingredients, reducing the risk of issues. Overall, my food journey in Costa Rica was a mix of incredible highs and a few learning experiences. The freshest fruits and natural drinks are truly the stars, and exploring local eateries will give you the most memorable (and safest!) culinary adventures. Pura Vida!









