Breakfast here is invariably “un desayuno típico” with “gallo pinto”, the national dish—beans, rice and spices mixed. It is usually served with eggs, natilla (sour cream) and fried plantains. It’s filling. And pretty tasty, really.
Food in Costa Rica is a bit of a shock after Mexico. I was prepared to eat a lot of rice, beans and chicken but I wasn’t expecting such basic foods to be expensive—and it is somewhat expensive, more than I remember.
Drinks are about the same price as in Canada (water and soft drinks at least). Breakfast is usually about $5, and dinner can be close to $10. Food in supermarkets is expensive too: $2 for a can of tuna, about the same for a pack of (non-imported) cookies. In bakeries, pastries are $1.5 and up.
This is not outrageous but food is more expensive than in Mexico and frankly, it’s not as good or as varied.
The alternative is junk food, such as chips, burgers, fried chicken, and ice cream. I couldn’t believe the number of fast-food joins in San José!
That last picture could have been anyway in the developed world!
I suspected that Costa Rica’s food would be less ‘colourful’ than Mexico’s food. Is it spicy?
What are plantains?
Eggs, rice and beans for breakfast? Sign me right up!
Not very spicy actually. But there is always a bottle of spicy sauce on the table!
I agree – that looks like Jackson square in Hamilton!
Does it? I need to visit Hamilton once!
Yum plantains !! Love them !! This food is making me hungry !
You have it in Africa to, right?
Yep !! You can find plantains sometimes in Carribean and/or Latino grocery stores
I love them… filling and tasty!