Cylver Carter
COSTA RICA
SAN JOS’E
WORD UP
2013
[TYPE
THE COMPANY ADDRESS]
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Resorts
THE
PRESERVE
AT LOS
ALTOS
National Park Backpackers, Costa Rica

THE PRESEVE AT LOS ALTOS
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


SAVE ON LUXURY 3 BEDROOM SUITS
$122 PER GUEST NIGHTLY
BEAUTIFUL RESORTS WITH SPACIOUS CONDOS AND INFINITY POOL

ISSIMO SUTIES-ALL ADULTS ROMANTIC RESORT AND SPA

Waterfront, Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica.
50% OFF AT UPSCALE ALL SUITES HOTEL
 JACUZZI IN EVERYROOM
 $71 PER GUEST NIGHTLY

TABACON GRAND SPA THERMAL RESORT La Fortuna, Costa Rica

 SAVE OVER 45% AT TOP RESORT
LUXURY RESORT WITH AMAZING VOLCANO VIEWS AND HOT SPRINGS
 PER GUEST $95 NIGHTLY

NOUNTAIN PARADISE HOTEL Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
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
 50% OFF SUITES WITH JACUZZI
JACUZZI IN EVERYROOM GREAT VIEWS OF THE VALCANO
 PER GUEST $49 NIGHTLY

HOTEL ARENAL SPRINFS RESOTS Arenal Volcano Road La Fortuna, Costa Rica

LUXURY RESORT AT THE BASE OF ARENAL VOLCANO
 WITH THE COST OF $77 PER GUEST NIGHTLY

THE SPRINGS RESORT AND SPA 142, Fortuna, Alajuela, Costa Rica
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

 LUXURY AT THE ARENAL VOLCANO
 LUXURY ARENAL VOLCANO RESORT
LUXURY RESORT HIGH ABOVE ARENAL VALLEY
THE COST IS $22 PER GUEST NIGHTLY
HOTEL MAGIC MOUNTAIN
Zeta trece, Alajuela, Costa Rica
 ARENAL VOLCANO
 SPECTACULAR VOLCANO VIEWS
 COST $35 PER GUEST NIGHTLY

RIU PALACE COSTA RICA Alajuela Canton, Costa Rica



LUXURY ALL INCLUSIVE
99-HOUR RIU RESORTS SALE SAVE 50 % COST $128 NIGHTLY PER GUEST
24 hour brand new all inclusive beach

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PARADOR RESORT AND SPA Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

WORLD TRAVEL AWARD WINNER FOR EXCELLENCE
 8 YEAR IN THE ROW TO OUTDOOR POORS
 THE COST IS $159 NIGHTLY PER GUEST
 ITS NEAR THE VALCANO
 AND GREAT SEVICES

LOS SUENOS MARRIOTT OCEAN AND GULF RESORT Puntarenas, Costa Rica


ALL INCLUSIVE
LUXURY BEACH FRONT RESORT CLOSE TO SAN JOSE AIRPORT


A LAKE NEAR THE RESORT
THE COST IS $150 PER GUEST AND NIGHTLY
Restaurants
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Resturante Grano de Oro
calle 30 Avenida 2y4 251 San José
 Great meals at grano de oro
 Romantic
 Beautiful
 Delicious
La Esquino de Buenos Aires
 San José
2255-3322
 Fantastic meal to end a great weekend bueno comida beat
foods ever in Costa Rica
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Pork Café
Park Café (San José; tel. 2290-6324): A former Michelin two-star chef has set up shop in
the interior patio garden of an old downtown mansion. The results are predictably
fabulous. The regularly changing menu here is always varied, creative, and fairly priced
Product-C
 Product-C (Santa Ana; tel. 2282-7767): This is just about my favorite seafood
restaurant in Costa Rica, and it's not even on the coast. Fresh fish is bought at the
Puntareanas docks around dawn every morning, and these folks even raise and harvest
their own oysters.
Ginger
Ginger (Playa Hermosa; tel. 2672-0041; www.gingercostarica.com): Serving an eclectic
mix of traditional and Pan Asian-influenced tapas, this sophisticated little joint is taking
this part of Guanacaste by storm. They've got a list of creative cocktails to match the
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inventive dishes
Mar y Sol
Mar y Sol (Playa Flamingo; tel. 2654-4151; www.marysolflamingo.com): In a beautiful
open-air dining room on a high hilltop with great views, the Catalan chef here serves
top-notch international fare
Dragonfly bar & Grill
 Dragonfly Bar & Grill (Tamarindo; tel. 2653-1506; www.dragonflybarandgrill.com):
Southwestern American and Pacific Rim fusion cuisines are the primary culinary
influences at this popular restaurant. Portions are large, service excellent, and prices
fair.
Lola’s
 Lola's (Playa Avellanas; tel. 2652-9097): With a perfect setting on the sand and
excellent hearty fare, this is one of the best beachfront restaurants in the country.
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Nectar
 Nectar (at Florblanca Resort, Santa Teresa; tel. 2640-0232): Guanacaste's best
boutique resort also has one of its best restaurants. The menu changes nightly but
always has a heavy Pan-Asian fusion flavor to it. The setting is romantic and subdued, in
an open-air space just steps from the sand.
Playa de los artistas
 Playa de los Artistas (Montezuma; tel. 2642-0920): This place has the perfect blend of
refined cuisine and beachside funkiness. There are only a few tables, so make sure you
get here early. Fresh, grilled seafood is served in oversize ceramic bowls and on large
wooden slabs lined with banana leaves.
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1. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Shrouded in clouds, the stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a unique air of mystery to it. A
distinctive mountain rainforest where the humidity is usually 100%, Monteverde is home to more than
3000 species of animals and plants.
Arenal Volcano National Park & La Fortuna
One of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica, the beautiful Arenal is indeed a sight to behold. Visit La
Fortuna, a tiny town near the base of the volcano and you will not regret the sheer beauty. While here
don’t forget to check out the marvelous Hot Springs, a tropical paradise where you can relax both your
mind and body.
Tamarindo, Playa Langosta & Playa Grande
Located along the north Pacific Coast, Tamarindo and its surrounding beaches are some
of the most easily accessible beach towns in the region. Boasting crystal clear turquoise
water and pristine weather, Tamarindo is one of the most popular tourist destinations for
good reason. Tamarindo has a little something to offer everyone. Whether a family is in
search of an adventurous getaway or a couple is looking to relax on their honeymoon,
this town has the amenities and serenity of several other destinationsin one locale
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4. Manuel Antonio & Manuel Antonio National Park
What this park lacks in size, it makes up for in the incredible wealth of attractions found
here. Stunning tropical beaches, an amazing array of birds and wildlife, rich dense
forestation, easy accessibility and a plethora of things to do, all make this park one of the
most popular tourist attractions in the country
Tortuguero National Park
A key turtle breeding ground in the Caribbean, the Tortuguero National Park is the habitat
and nesting ground of four of the eight species of marine turtles in the world. Known for
its meandering rivers and lovely lagoons, this area is also home to the endangered West
Indian manatee
Corcovado National Park & Drake Bay
Located on the gorgeous Osa Peninsula, the Corcovado National Park has been called
as one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Together with Drake Bay, this region has
become an ecotourism hot spot for those who want to be one with nature
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Santa Teresa & Mal Pais
The tiny beach village of Santa Teresa is located in the south of the Nicoya Peninsula,
almost at the tip, in north of the Puntarenas province. This beach is renowned worldwide
for some of the best surfing in the entire country. Private and secluded, Santa Teresa is
often described as "Paradise". Just next door to the south is Mal Pais a bit more spread
out with long beaches and reefs it is the perfect place to get away from it all
Montezuma
Lying on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, Montezuma was a small remote fishing
village until the 1980’s when it began to gain a repute of being an ideal budget location
for the nearby areas of the Cabo Blanco National Park, the Isla Tortuga and the Curu
Wildlife Reserve. Nowadays a popular hangout for young foreign travelers, who enjoy the
village’s laidback lifestyle, Montezuma is a carefree place with a mellow vibe
Puerto Viejo & Cahuita National Park
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica has a lot to offer. From world-class surfing, snorkeling and
diving among the many reefs in the blue waters, to mountain biking, horseback riding and
cultural visits to indigenous people. Nearby Cahuita National Park, protecting Costa
Rica’s largest and only coral reef, combines beautiful beaches with lush coastal
rainforests to provide a truly wonderful atmosphere to relax in
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Surfing Salsa Brava
The biggest break in Costa Rica, for expert surfers only and dangerous even then, Salsa Brava is named for the
heaping helping of 'sauce' it serves up on the sharp, shallow reef, continually collecting its debt of fun in broken skin,
boards and bones.
There are a couple of take-off points: newbies waiting around to catch the popular North Peak should keep in mind
that there are plenty of people in this town who gave up perks like mom's cooking and Wal-Mart just to surf this wave
regularly. Don't get in their way. In a sense, it was the Salsa Brava that swept Puerto Viejo into the relaxed limelight it
enjoys today.
Nosara & Playa Guiones
Nosara is a tranquil beach community, ideal for a surfer or nature lover's vacation.
Located where the turtles meet the monkeys, this serene unspoiled corner of Costa Rica
has enjoyed both the protection of the national park system, as well as the efforts of the
local citizens association that keep the beaches pristine and ensure hundreds of acres of
protected forest interspersed with small-scale development
Dance
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A place to dance can be found in every city and town, from San Jose’s modern discos to festive
dance halls in rural areas. Costa Ricans are very fond of tropical melodies, especially merengue,
salsa and cumbia; children learn the basic steps from an early age, and many Costa Ricans are
accomplished dancers. For a more traditional taste, folkloric dances like the Punto Guanacasteco
and La Cajeta depict colorful stories of a bygone era. They are often featured in holiday parades,
where the dancers twirl about in vibrant costumes.
Merengue
Merengue is one of the most popular Latin dances in Costa Rica – it can be heard in almost every
home, discotheque and radio station in the country. It has a two-step beat that features fast
footwork and swaying hips. The man leads and usually holds the woman by her waist and right
hand. Merengue is a tight dance, and couples move within a small circle; when steps are made in
any direction, they only traverse the space of a few feet. It’s easy to find somewhere to dance
merengue, but to give it a whirl at home, look for music from Grupo Mania, La Makina or Los
Hermanos Rosario.
Salsa
Another popular local dance, salsa originated in Cuba and was influenced by mambo, Guaguanco
and Afro-Caribbean beats. It blends quick steps with sensual movements in a three-step rhythm
danced over each four-beat measure. As in most Latin dances, the man leads holding one or both
of his partner’s hands. Experienced salsa dancers often employ complicated spins and intricate
steps, which add panache to their dance. Like merengue, it is easy to find a club that plays salsa
music; popular artists include Elvis Crespo, Celia Cruz and Salsa kids.
Cumbia
Originating in Colombia, cumbia is one of Costa Rica’s favorite tropical rythyms. Drums and other
percussion instruments create the pervasive cumbia beat, which plays out in a 4/4 rhythm structure
of long-short-short-long. Cumbia is typically danced to the Colombian music of the same name;
however, Costa Ricans make the cumbia all their own, dancing a cumbia beat to the steps of the
“swing criollo.” Swing criollo mixes elements of the Lindy hop and jive to create bouncing steps
and small kicks that are danced in a circle of complex footwork and fancy spins. This dance style is
very Costa Rican and a source of national pride. The Costa Rican song “Jugo de Pina” is one of
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the world’s most famous cumbia songs. Alberto Pacheco, Lucho Bermudez y Su Orquesta,
Lisandro Meza and Edmundo Arias are all popular cumbia artists.
Folkloric Dancing
Costa Rican folkloric dancing is a joy to watch, as each dance tells a story in its own melodious and
artistic way. The Punto Guanacasteco is the most easily recognized of traditional dances: as
marimbas tap out the beat, women two-step toward partners who try to seduce them.
A tamer dance is La Cajeta, which represents Costa Rican traditions of creating milk caramel
candy. Since the process could take days, families celebrated the culmination of candy making with
a house party. This was the ideal time for young people to meet, and so La Cajeta – named after
the caramel candy – represents the circumstances of this first meeting and the sweetness of young
love.
Costa Rica’s indigenous cultures are also rich with folkloric dances such as the Borucan Diablitos
dance. Every January, the Boruca celebrate the indigenous flight from – and in this version,
triumph over – the Spanish conquistadors, who are represented by a bull that loses to formidable
little demons. It is possible to view folkloric dancing year-round, but the best times are around the
Annexation of Guanacaste (July 25), during oxcart parades, or at other traditional festivals.
HISTORY
Costa Rica is situated in Central America and like most of the other countries in
the surrounding area; its history is deeply tied with that of Spain which used to
rule Costa Rica as a colony. However, Costa Rica still has its own identity when it
comes to clothing and this can be seen especially in the traditional clothing of
Costa Rica. Although today the vast majority of Costa Ricans wear the same
modern style clothes that everyone else in the world does, traditional clothing is
still worn in Costa Rica on special occasions
Clothing
Traditional Clothing for Women Costa Rica
For women in Costa Rica, traditional clothing consists of a dress tailored in a specific style to
include a few important characteristics. Firstly the traditional dresses worn by women in Costa
Rica on special occasions have thick and flamboyant ruffles protruding upwards and outwards
from the shoulders and there are no sleeves to cover the arms. The most popular colors for
traditional dresses in Costa Rica are all the bright colors including red, blue and yellow. Often,
traditional dress in Costa Rica for women will consist of a long skirt that reaches down to the
ankles made from shiny and colorful fabrics. From the waist upwards a plain white top is worn
and these two items are brought together by a bright red cloth that is wrapped around the waist
similar to a cummerbund. Often, a flower is artistically placed in the ear to top off this beautiful
traditional costume for women in Costa Rica.
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Traditional Clothing for Men Costa Rica
Traditional clothing for men in Costa Rica is simple yet elegant. Similar to the women,
a traditional Costa Rican costume for men consists of a cummerbund, usually red in
colour. This is accompanied by plain colored shirt and pants usually both white in color
although this can vary. In addition a traditional Costa Rican costume for men will also
include a straw cowboy type hat as well as a red scarf that is tied around the neck. On
a day to day basis, regular clothing in Costa Rica is more or less the same as you would
find in America, consists of t-shirts and pants. One interesting point about clothing in
Costa Rica is that despite the warm weather and tropical climate, men rarely walk
around wearing shorts but prefer to wear pants. Costa Ricans tend to only wear shorts
when going to the beach, although that doesn’t mean you should feel uncomfortable
wearing shorts while in Costa Rica.
Traditions
Costa Ricans, as people in other countries, are caught between old cultural
forces and new ones that influence especially its young inhabitants. Ticos as a
whole still respect conservative values, but they're starting to adopt several
American cultural traits. Even then, Costa Ricans still possess a unique identity
that distinguishes them from other places and even from their neighboring
countries.
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Ticos are pretty homogeneous racially and culturally speaking, since only 1% of
their population is considered to be Indian, and the other Black and Chinese
minorities aren't very numerous. A traveler going through Latin America will
notice the Ticos's relative "whiteness" when compared to the people of other
places. Ticos also have a very high level of education, and the literacy rate is
96%. Thus, Costa Ricans define themselves as unique and different from their
neighboring countries. Costa Ricans are still conservative when it comes to
family issues. Even though the amount of single-mother families is extremely
high, family ties are still very strong even in these types of households.
Traditions revolve around the family from the moment of birth to that of death.
Some immensely important family traditions are: baptisms, first communions,
engagement parties, weddings and funerals. These events are attended by the
extended family as well as by a large quantity of friends and their family
members. Also, most Costa Ricans still live at home until they are married, and
leaving the household to go to college or to gain independence is still very rare.
Traditions are also shaped by gender differences and the "machismo" system.
Men and women are expected to act differently from each other, and to respect
their roles. A large proportion of Costa Rican women are professionals and hold
important positions in both businesses and the government, but they still retain
some traits that are traditional and conservative.
Besides traditions that revolve around the family, there are also several
significant religious celebrations. The main religious events are: Easter Week or
Semana Santa , Christmas Week and August second, which is the celebration of
the Virgin of the Angels. Costa Rica is also different from other Latin American
countries, because it practices a "lukewarm" Catholicism that causes a strange
mixture of partying and religious celebration during these holidays. Also, the
Indian population is so small, that religious events don't offer a mixture of
Catholic and Indian practices; thus, Costa Rican processions, for example, aren't
as colorful as in Mexico or Guatemala.
For Easter Week, many people that live near the capital city of San Jose choose
to go to the beach; for them, Easter is mostly a time to relax and to have a good
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time. However, some people choose to stay at home and to join religious
celebrations that include masses and processions. Nearly everything shuts down
from Thursday to Monday, which is why it's a good idea to stock up on goods
before then, and to avoid traveling, since some transportation services also stop
completely. During the Christmas celebration and some days previous to New
Years, the same phenomenon occurs. A lot of people attend religious
celebrations held at churches or at homes (like rosary and prayer events that
offer large quantities of food and drink), while others choose to escape their
urban routines and go to the beach. Another religious celebration is the
pilgrimage to the Basilica de los Angeles in Cartago city, in honor of the Virgin of
the Angels. During this holiday many people walk to the city from all parts of the
country, in order to pay a "promise" to the Virgin (when she answered a prayer)
or to renew their faith. This event is incredible because of its magnitude and also
because some believers travel for days or even weeks in order to reach their
destination and to honor the Virgin. Even though some Costa Ricans decide to
party during religious celebrations, they still prefer to do it in the company of
their family, thus maintaining cultural and family unity. Ticos are extremely
friendly to foreigners, and once they've gotten to know you they'll invite you to
family gatherings and celebrations. After all, hospitality is probably the most
widespread tradition in Costa Rica
Music
Music is an integral part of most Latin American cultures and Costa Rica is
no exception. Many of Costa Rica's musical traditions date back to colonial
times, when the Spanish brought European rhythms to the country's
shores. Over time, Spanish beats harmonized with indigenous tempos to
create folkloric music unique to Costa Rica.
Today, in addition to the nation's proprietary genres, Costa Ricans enjoy
Latin, American and British contemporary rock. However, when it comes
to dancing, most prefer the traditional Latin rhythms of salsa, merengue,
cumbia, and bolero. On the weekends, discos and dance halls are packed,
as the typically conservative locals let loose and flirt wildly while dancing
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the night away. From classical to reggaeton, music is everywhere – in the
streets, homes, restaurants, bars, discos and theaters.
Folk Music
Costa Rican folk music is defined as traditional rhythms created by
everyday citizens, for the enjoyment of the masses. By definition, folk
music is imitated and evolves over the years. In Costa Rica, the four
powerhouses for folk music are Guanacaste, the Central Valley, Limon,
and San Isidro del General; these styles are known respectively as musica
guanacasteca, musica aldeana, musica limonense, and musica
generalena. Popular folk music from other areas of the country is
considered to copy these four principal styles.
Guanacaste
The rhythms of Guanacaste are an integral part of the nation's musical
heritage. Folkloric music from Guanacaste features Spanish, Nicaraguan,
Cuban, Panamanian and Colombian influences. It employs use of the
marimba, a type of large wooden xylophone, and encompasses many
styles – puntos, tambitos, callejeras, and parranderas are among the most
popular. Guanacaste's music is inseparably interwoven with the
region's dances, which incorporate old-world flourishes and
traditional costume; popular Guancastecan dances include the Punto
Guanacasteco and Los Amores de Laco.
Central Valley
The Central Valley's folk music has no known composers, but these
beautiful, Spanish-influenced melodies are known as "serenatas
campesinas," or peasant serenades. Batambas are a common type of
Central Valley folk music that feature guitarists and marimba players, and a
harmonic and irresistible beat. The Central Valley's traditional songs can be
easily identified, since each stanza continues for several counts longer than
the music. Two popular examples of "musica aldeana" are "Despierta nina"
(Wake up, child) and "No puede haber amor como el primero" (There can
be no love like the first).
Caribbean
There are four basic branches of Caribbean folkloric music, which is rooted
in the rhythms of Spain, the Central Valley, and the Caribbean islands. The
first type features comparsas, or lively bands that play during parades and
celebrations. The second form, known as sinkit, is a famed Costa Rican
musical genre that has base drums, snare drums, and clarinets. The third
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branch of Limon's musical heritage is known as "son," and is rooted in the
syncopated rhythms of Spain, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama and the
Dominican Republic. Finally, "Afrotica," also known as Afro-Costa Rican or
Afro-Limonese music, is the result of blending traditional Christian music
with the so-called profane sounds of plebeian Costa Rica.
San Isidro del General
San Isidro del General is a small city located in south-central Costa Rica.
Historically, this region was both physically and culturally separated from
the rest of Costa Rica, allowing for the emergence of unique folkloric
rhythms. Popular regional music includes Campera, a combination of
peasant music and creole beats; Tambito, an upbeat guitar tune; Southern
Son, which features a three-four meter with accents on the first and third
beats; and Tonadas, which are romantic songs inspired by local legends,
incorporating guitar, violin, accordion, and mandolin harmonies.
Classical Music
The National Symphony Orchestra (Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional) has
received international acclaim under the direction of its current conductor,
Chosei Komatsu. The Costa Rican Youth Symphony Orchestra, National
Symphony Choir – one of the first professional choirs in Central America –
and the Costa Rican Chamber Opera are also important fonts of the
nation's classical music. San Jose's National Theater hosts a variety of
concerts, from classical guitar to solo pianists and grand symphony
orchestras. Other venues of interest include the Teatro Mozart and the
Costa Rican and North American Cultural Center.
Jazz
Several jazz cafes and restaurants in and around the Escazu and San Jose
area are excellent options to watch new musicians play acoustic and jazz
sets. The nation's most famous jazz ensemble, Editus, has found
international acclaim and won a Grammy award in 2000 for Best Latin Pop
Presentation. To nurture the nation's burgeoning jazz scene, Costa Rica
hosts the semi-annual International Jazz Festival, which celebrates some
of the world's most talented musicians.
Calypso
Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad
among slaves who used the music as a means to communicate and tell
stories. In Costa Rica, Cahuita's Walter Ferguson is a popular calypso
musician whose songs include anecdotes about his childhood in poverty22
stricken Panama, and are an excellent illustration of Afro-Caribbean
culture.
Reggae
Reggae, which first developed in Jamaica in the 1960s, is very popular in
Costa Rica, especially along the Caribbean coast. Local artists include CSharp and Fuerza Dread, who perform at local bars like La Mochila, which
hosts Costa Rica Reggae Nites every Friday. In 2011, Damian Marley
honored Costa Rica as the only Central American country to make his tour
list. Reggaeton blends urban beats with Jamaican dancehall and Latin
rhythms to create Spanish-language songs popular among the nation's
teenagers and dance club regulars. Reggaeton is also the music of choice
for catchy ad campaigns and San Jose street music.
Tropical
Costa Rica's dance clubs boogie to the beats of merengue, salsa, cumbia
and other Latin American rhythms. Interestingly, while Costa Ricans dance
salsa and merengue in the traditional styles, they exchange the popular
Colombian-style cumbia dance steps for "swing criollo," or creole swing,
which features a series of hops and bouncing steps to accompany
cumbia's infectious beat.
Contemporary Costa Rican Musicians
Popular Costa Rican contemporary musicians include Ghandi, Cantares,
Balerom, Evolucion, Akasha, El Parque, Gaviota, Percance, and Debi
Nova. In August 2011, Malpais, one of Costa Rica's favorite bands,
suffered the loss of Fidel Gamboa, a founding member and lead singer.
Foods Very Good
o generalize a Costa Rican meal, one would certainly have to talk about black
beans and rice (gallo pinto). This simple, standard dish, often referred to
as comida tipica, is the backbone of Costa Rican cuisine. While many of the
dishes are still prepared with oils high in saturated fats, Costa Rican food is
generally quite healthy when coupled with an active lifestyle. Cheese and
other dairy products are rarely utilized. Often served with a good portion of
fruits or vegetables or both, the meals are very well rounded and generally
high in fiber.
Other factors in the Tico's healthy mealtime experience are their eating habits.
Firstly, Ticos do not eat in excess. Their modest proportions are much like the
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Europeans and smaller than that of the U.S. Secondly, Ticos make lunch the
main meal of the day. In fact, many employers will give an additional hour off
for a post-lunch casado. This convention will provide more energy during the
day when people need it, and less energy at night when it will likely be wasted
and converted to fat reserves.
San José possesses a broad spectrum of fare. On one hand, it is the center of
fine dining and international cuisine in Costa Rica; on the other, its streets and
markets are filled with sodas, or small restaurants that serve light meals and
snacks. Away from the big city, Ticos are less adventurous eaters, so the food
becomes more grounded in peasant culture and less varied.
Staples
As mentioned above, beans and rice is
the basic variable in almost all Costa
Rican cuisine. A typical meal is
thecasado, the name referring to the
eternal "marriage" of its components.
Consisting of rice and beans, meat or
fish, fried plantains, and a carrot,
tomato, and cabbage salad, this basic
and well-rounded meal strikes a good
nutritional balance.
The plantain, or plántano, is probably the quintenencial Tico snack. It has the
appearance of a large banana, but cannot be eaten raw. It is sweet and
delicious when fried or baked, and will often accompany most meals. When
sliced thinly and deep fried, the plantain becomes a crunchy snack like the
potato chip.
Arroz is a dish of fried rice which may be offered with chicken (pollo) or
shrimp (gambas). For breakfast, it is common to be served a hearty dish of
black beans and rice (gallo pinto) seasoned with onions and peppers,
accompanied by fried eggs, sour cream, and corn tortillas.
Soups and Stews
Olla de carne is a delicious stew made with beef, potatoes,
carrots, chayote(vegetable pear), plantains and yucca. Sopa negra is a simple
soup made with black beans. The hearty Sopa de mondongo is made with tripe
and vegetables. Guiso de maíz is a corn stew.
Vegetables and Fruit
Vegetables are utilized mostly in soups and stews, or, as a side dish of
a casadomeal, fresh cabbage, tomatoes, and carrots make up the typical salad.
Corn is one of the most favored vegetables, and it is usually prepared in the
form of tortillas and corn pancakes. Corn on the cob is sometimes
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roasted, elote esado, or boiled, elote cocinado. Empanadas are corn turnovers
filled with beans, cheese, and maybe potatoes and meat. And Patacones are
fried mashed plantains with a liberal sprinkling of salt.
Fruits found in Costa Rica include papaya,
mango, piña (pineapple), sandía(watermelon), melón (cantaloupe), moras (bl
ackberries), limones (lemons), guayaba(guava), granadilla (passion fruit),
and aguacates (avocados). Many of these are served plain or as a refresco, a
blended drink with ice.
Marañon is a curious fruit whose seed is the cashew. The skin of the fruit is
bitter, but the flesh delicious. Cashews must be roasted before they are
consumed; a raw cashew is poisonous.
Zapotes are a brown fruit resembling an oversized avocado in appearance and
texture. Unlike the avocado their pulp is very sweet and bright red-orange in
color.
Guanábanas (soursop) are textured, green football-sized fruits with white
fibrous flesh. Some eat the fruit plain, but most prefer it as a juice or with
milk.
Pipas (green coconuts) are extremely popular among Ticos. By chopping the
top with a machete and tapping the hollow core with a straw, you have a
refreshing drink.
The pejibaye, a relative of the coconut, is a bizarre fruit. It's flesh is thick and
fibrous, and resembles the taste of chestnut or pumpkin. They are usually
boiled in salt water, peeled, halved, pitted, then eaten.
The manzana de agua is a dark red, pear-shaped fruit that is full of juice and
quite refreshing.
The palmito (palm heart) is the inner core of a small palm tree and makes a
great delicacy as a cocktail.
Carambola (starfruit) is a yellow-green tender fruit that when cut across
makes slices that look like five-pointed stars. The taste is lightly sweet and
juicy.
Meats and Fish
Roast pork is the chief meat staple. Pork and chicken are often roasted over
coffee wood for a savory, smokey flavor. Steaks can be found at many
restaurants, and chewy is desirable. Ultra-fresh seafood is more readily
available near the coasts, though shrimp and lobster are offered throughout
most of the country. San José's fish of choice is sea bass, or corvina;
however, dorado, swordfish, and myriad others are available at the coastal
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resorts. As a common appetizer, Ceviche is a dish of raw fish marinated in
lemon juice with cilantro and onions.
Common Dishes and Condiments
Tortilla - name for either a small, thin corn tortilla, or an omellete
Tortilla de queso - a thick tortilla with cheese in the dough
Arreglados - greasy puff pastries made with meat
Tortas - sandwiches on buns
Arroz con polo - rice with chicken and vegetables
Gallos - meat, beans, or cheese between two tortillas
Masamorra - corn pudding
Natilla - sour cream of a relatively thin consistency
Palomitas de maíz - popcorn
Picadillo - sautéed vegetables sometimes with meat, served as a side dish
Tacos - meat and cabbage salad tucked into a tortilla
Tamal de elote - sweet corn tamales wrapped in corn husks
Tamales - cornmeal, often stuffed with pork or chicken, wrapped in banana
leaves and boiled
Deserts and Sweets
Cajeta de coco - a fudge made of coconut, tapa dulce, and orange peel Cono
capuchino - an ice cream cone dipped in chocolate
Melcochas - candies made from raw sugar
Milanes and tapitas - small, delicious, pure-chocolate candies
Tapa dulce - brown sugar, native to Costa Rica, sold in a solid form
Dulce de leche - a thick syrup made of sugar and milk
Tres leches - a three-layered custard flan, and the national desert
Breads and Baked Goods
Pan bon - a dark, sweet bread of Limon.
Pan de maíz - a thick, sweet bread made with corn.
Queque seco - pound cake
Tamal asado - sweet cornmeal cake
Torta chilena - a multi-layered pastry filled with dulce de leche
Drinks
Refrescos, made of blended fruit and ice, are very popular refreshments, and
are available at most corner stores and restaurants. A sweet and spicy
drink, horchatais made of roasted ground rice and cinnamon.
Beer is also a common drink among Ticos. Two local breweries, Bavaria and
Imperial, make light and crisp lager-style beers, perfect thirst-quencher for
the balmy, tropical climate. Wine is not very popular and is usually imported
and expensive. The working man's drink is guaro, a clear white spirit that
doesn't always appeal to visitors.
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Coffee is also an extremely popular and nationally-revered drink.
Caribbean Flavors
The Caribbean coast has its own unique cuisine, distinctive of the rest of the
nation. The dishes usually include coconut milk and more characteristic spices,
like ginger and curry. Roadside stalls sell a vast array of fruits: apples,
papayas, mangoes, bananas, pineapples, apricots, and melons. Coconuts are
widely used in the Caribbean. Grated coconut is used in many deserts and
cakes. Coconut milk is a staple used to bind other ingredients in recipes. Milk
is used in cheeses, such as the soft white queso blanco, which frequently finds
its way into deserts. The akee is a spongy yellow fruit native to Africa and
brought to the Caribbean by the English. It is boiled to produce something that
resembles scrambled eggs, then sautéed with salted cod. The patí is a spicy
meat pie resembling a turnover. Rondon ("rundown") consists of fish or meat
with yams, plantains, breadfruit, peppers and spices.
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