Costa Rica - The Food

While still in Costa Rica I hinted at doing a post on Tiko food. WARNING: this post may make your mouth water and your stomach ache for sustenance. We ate marvelously while we were there. Between our hotel's breakfast buffet, Christian brothers and sisters hosting us in their homes, and the occasional restaurant visit we were able to try many different local dishes.

Personally, breakfast is my favorite meal. The options for breakfast foods are quite diverse and enjoyable to my palate. Also, when I get up in the morning my stomach is almost always growling.

Breakfast

I was told that the breakfast buffet included in the room rate at our hotel would cost a person off the street  $15. This is expensive for Costa Rican standards but about on par with what one would expect at a breakfast buffet in the States.*

The Selection

Papaya, Pineapple, Watermelon, Ham, Cheese, Eggs with Fajitas, "Oatmeal" (have you ever had oatmeal made with cream and tapioca? you should!), Orange Juice

Waffle, Granola with Yogurt, Pineapple, Watermelon, Papaya, Sausage

Papaya, Watermelon, Pastry, Breakfast Potatoes, Pineapple, Huevos Rancheros, Cas Juice

Friends

So, you get the idea about breakfast: Eating fruit, outside.

Lunch

Typical lunches were done with families from the church that was hosting us. It's always an honor to be welcomed into homes of people I meet when traveling. It's such a better view into the culture and life than driving around and sitting in hotels and offices.

Fried "potatoes" in the center, see plate detail below

Heavily seasoned pork patty and the always present rice and beans

Rice, beans, meat/potatoes/carrots, fried plantains

I was so hungry this day I forgot to take a picture.
It was mashed potatoes, best chicken ever, rice, beans, flan for dessert

Cappuccino to wash it all down

Dinner

We ate out more for dinners and unfortunately didn't take pictures. Here is a sample of our hosted dinners.

Fish fillet, "potatoes," rice

Salad. Try adding fresh cilantro to your dinner salad.

Salad, TWO scoops of rice, black beans that look like Hershey's syrup

"The Cuban" and his wife
That is not beer, it's Ginger Ale

Cuban pulled pork and rice
NOTE: Canada Dry Bottle NOT BEER

After eating local fare for a week I typically get a desire for something American. I have no apologies for you purests out there:

McDonald's is pretty much the same all around the world.

* My use of the terms "American" or "America" has changed greatly since visiting Latin America. South Americans and Latin Americans also consider themselves "Americans" so when traveling in those areas referring to yourself as "American" who is from the United States does not convey. They will not know that you mean the United States or may be offended that you don't consider them to be "American" as well. This is quite different than what I have experienced in Europe and Asia. I always found them to assume "American" refers to a person from the United States.