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Celebrating the Dining Culture of Costa Rica
Expat Traditional Holiday Meals Go Tico? Expats can beautifully combine traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas foods with Costa Rican influences by blending familiar holiday dishes with local ingredients and flavors. For Thanksgiving, incorporating Costa Rican staples...
Recipe of The Month – Ceviche
Costa Rican Ceviche: the cool, zesty bite of pura vidaCosta Rica has a way of turning simple moments into mini-adventures—morning surf followed by strong coffee, live marimba drifting from the plaza, scarlet macaws flashing through the canopy, and business chats that...
Superfoods – The Sweet Side of Sweet Potatoes
You won’t believe the nutritional value of these squiggly pinkish potatoes. Costa Rica runs on bright mornings and bold flavours—volcano walks before emails, marimba in the plaza after work, gallery nights, sportfishing weekends, and markets where growers greet you by...
Whole Fried Red Snapper (Pargo Rojo Frito): A Coastal Classic in Costa Rica
What is Whole Fried Red Snapper? Whole fried red snapper, known locally as Pargo Rojo Frito, is a beloved coastal dish where the fish is fried in its entirety until the skin turns golden and crisp, locking in the moist, tender flesh inside. It’s a culinary showpiece...
The Plantain Playbook: Costa Rica’s Favourite Fruit Gets the Star Treatment
What makes plantains a staple in Costa Rican kitchens? Plantains are essential in Costa Rican cooking because they’re affordable, versatile, and can be transformed into sweet or savoury dishes depending on their ripeness. You’ll find them on almost every table, from...
Recipe: Smash Tacos
[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]Quick, easy, and tasty! Try this for your next taco treat. Thank you John Brockmeier for sharing. From the Howler Magazine Facebook Group Recipe by Ereka Vetrini, support her sites at these links. Erika's Instagram...
Pineapple-infused Sweet and Sour Chicken: A Tropical Twist
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_column_text] Pineapple Sweet & Sour Chicken: A Crowd-Pleaser with Costa Rican Flair Costa Rica is all flavour and feeling—volcano views at breakfast, markets humming at noon, marimba at dusk. It’s a country where adventures shape...
Tamales at Your Table
Costa Rica is a country that loves a good gathering: sunrise surf and volcano treks, marimba in the plaza, gallery nights that spill into dinner, wildlife that steals the show, real estate chats over coffee, and businesses built on relationships. At the centre of so...
Cooking with Papaya
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] Papaya in Costa Rica: From Kitchen Staple to Culinary Secret Weapon Costa Rica is a place where volcano hikes meet sunset surf, where marimba music drifts across plazas and start-ups share the spotlight with eco-lodges....
Fire and Flavor: The Art of Costa Rican BBQ and Street Grilled Meats
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text] Costa Rican BBQ: Fire, Flavour and the Sabanero Spirit (#howlermag #howlermagazine) Costa Rica is where adventure meets appetite. Volcano hikes and...
Coffee and Chocolate: Who Can Resist?
Upon arriving in La Fortuna, the main town near Arenal Volcano, my husband, Vern, and I began exploring the area for things to do. I had seen a sign coming into town advertising coffee and chocolate tours. Well, who doesn’t love coffee...and chocolate? What a GREAT...
Recipe of The Month – Snapper a la Talla
Costa Rica tastes like adventure on a plate—surf mornings and volcano views, marimba in the plaza, scarlet macaws overhead, and a dinner table that blends coastal bounty with family tradition. Whether you come for wildlife, scout neighbourhoods for a real-estate move,...
A Sweet Celebration: Exploring Traditional Christmas Desserts Across Latin America
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]As the festive season approaches, the rich and diverse culinary traditions of Latin America come to the forefront, especially in the realm of desserts....
The Real Taste of Costa Rica “Chiliguaro”
Chiliguaro: Costa Rica’s Spicy National Shot (with roots, rituals and real-world examples) Costa Rica folds Adventures, Culture, Entertainment, wildlife, Real Estate, Business and Food into everyday life — and you can taste that mix in a tiny glass of chiliguaro. This...
Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) in Costa Rica: Taste, Trails & Trade
Costa Rica’s dragon fruit—known locally as pitaya—touches everything travellers and residents love about the country. You can chase adventures on backroads to sunlit trellis farms, feel the pulse of culture at feria markets, sip magenta mixers in beach-town...
Ahi Tuna: From “Wishing I Was Fishing” to Dinner Tonight
Ahi Tuna: From “Wishing I Was Fishing” to Dinner Tonight The Pacific wore that slate-blue glare that makes every ripple feel like a promise. A frigatebird cut low, the skipper eased the throttle, and the line began to sing. Thirty yards out—flash, thump, and a...
Green Mango with Chilero: A Zesty Costa Rican Favourite
What is green mango with chilero? Green mango with chilero is a classic Costa Rican street snack made from unripe mango slices topped with a vinegar-and-chilli mix. This tangy, spicy treat balances sourness from the mango with the heat of the chilero, creating a...
Cocina de la Abuela: Recipes with Roots
Traditional Costa Rican Recipes Passed Down Through Generations What are the most beloved traditional dishes from Costa Rican grandmothers? Costa Rican grandmothers have long preserved the country’s culinary soul through humble, nourishing meals. These recipes tell...
Rainforest to Recipe: Wild Flavours and Forgotten Foods of Costa Rica
What are Costa Rica’s hidden jungle ingredients? Costa Rica’s jungles hold a treasure chest of forgotten flavours that once nourished local communities long before supermarkets and modern menus. These include wild tubers, jungle fruits, native nuts, and herbs that...
Cooking with Red Snapper
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]The variety of ways to cook red snapper is an exciting topic for seafood lovers. Red snapper is a delicious and popular fish known for its firm texture and mild flavor. As a high school student with an interest in...
The Secret Life of Mamón Chino: From Farm to Fingers
f you've ever driven through Costa Rica in July or August, chances are you've spotted roadside vendors standing behind huge piles of spiky red fruit. Maybe you bought a plastic bag of them, bit into the soft flesh, and smiled at the burst of tart-sweet flavour. That’s...
Seasonal Sips: July’s Best Tropical Cocktails
Local bartenders share drink recipes that balance sun, humidity, and beachside bliss. What makes a perfect July cocktail in the tropics? A great July cocktail should be cooling, fruity, and easy to sip under the sun. The best drinks in Costa Rica during this time...
How to Eat a Cas Fruit Without Regretting It: Tricks to Tame Costa Rica’s Tart Treat
Cas fruit—sharp, tangy, and fiercely Costa Rican—is one of those local flavours that divides opinion. Some say it’s deliciously refreshing; others say it tastes like sour punishment in pulp form. The truth? It depends entirely on how you eat it. Prepared properly, cas...
The Dish That Smells Like Rain—and Tastes Like Childhood
Costa Rica’s Olla de Carne with Ñampi and Tacacos: A Bowl of Wet-Season Nostalgia When the first rains hit the Costa Rican countryside, something magical starts simmering in kitchens across the country. It’s not just food—it’s a memory steeped in steam and firewood....
Jungle Mushrooms—And the Chefs Who Can’t Get Enough
Costa Rica’s Rainy-Season Fungi Frenzy, From Gourmet Delights to Glow-in-the-Dark Oddities When Costa Rica’s skies open and the forest floor turns spongy, something strange and wonderful begins to stir—mushrooms. Not the sad white ones in plastic wrap. We're talking...
Food That Only Appears in Floods: Nature’s Secret Menu of the Wet Season
Flood season foods in Costa Rica When the rivers overflow and fields transform into shimmering lagoons, Costa Rica’s flood season reveals a little-known culinary bounty. It’s not just about survival—it’s about flavour, tradition, and knowing where to look when the...
Pejibaye: Costa Rica’s Nutrient-Packed Tropical Treasure
Pejibaye, also known as peach palm fruit, is a staple in Costa Rica and much of Central and South America. This small, brightly colored fruit might not look like much at first glance, but it is packed with flavor, nutrients, and history. Whether you encounter it at a...
A Taste of Tradition: The Magic of Picadillo de Papa
Picadillo de Papa – Savoury Potato Hash There are few dishes that capture the heart of Costa Rican home cooking like Picadillo de Papa. This comforting blend of potatoes, ground beef, and vegetables is more than just a meal—it’s a beloved tradition passed down through...
Pipas and Beyond: The Many Ways Costa Ricans Enjoy Coconut
There’s nothing quite like the satisfying thwack of a machete splitting open a fresh green coconut under the warm Costa Rican sun. Locally known as pipa fría, fresh coconut water is more than just a refreshing drink—it’s an essential part of the culture, a natural...
Fermented Favorites: Chicha and Other Traditional Central American Brews
The Ancient Art of Fermentation in Central America Fermentation has been an integral part of Central American culture for centuries, providing not only a method for preserving food and drinks but also a deeply rooted tradition in social and spiritual gatherings. Among...
Casado: The Ultimate Costa Rican Plate
If you’ve ever dined in Costa Rica, you’ve likely encountered the casado. This hearty dish is the ultimate representation of Costa Rican cuisine—a balanced, affordable, and flavorful meal that locals swear by. Whether you’re grabbing lunch at a small soda (a local...
A Guide to Costa Rica’s Most Unique Food Festivals
Costa Rica is a paradise for food lovers. Beyond the picture-perfect beaches, lush jungles, and abundant wildlife, this small but mighty country knows how to celebrate its culinary heritage. From mouthwatering pejibaye festivals to grand coffee celebrations, every...
Vigorón – Costa Rica’s Crispy Street Food with a History
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text] A Flavorful Bite of Costa Rican Tradition Vigorón isn’t just a snack—it’s a crunchy, flavorful piece of Costa Rican history wrapped in a banana leaf....
Agua de Sapo: Costa Rica’s Refreshing Sugarcane & Ginger Drink
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Agua de Sapo, or "Toad Water," might sound like a questionable choice at first, but don’t let the name fool you! This traditional Costa Rican drink is...
Fire and Flavor: The Art of Costa Rican BBQ and Street Grilled Meats
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica’s food culture is rich with bold flavors, and when it comes to grilled meats, the country takes things to the next level. Whether you’re...
Flavors of Costa Rica: A Culinary Journey Through Its Diverse Regions
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Embarking on a culinary tour of Costa Rica offers an enchanting blend of flavors that reflect its rich biodiversity and cultural diversity. This...