Where to eat in Costa Rica? Our picks!!
Costa Rica's Top places where you will enjoy the best from the best in the country.
Andiamo La, Santa Ana.
1. San José - Andiamo La (Italian)
One of the most elegant, popular and distinguished restaurants in the metropolitan area for its architecture. Their service is simply immaculate, exquisite dishes, plus an exceptional wine cellar add up to create a truly unique gastronomic experience. Andiamo La is a versatile place, where you can enjoy anything from an executive brunch, a family lunch or even a romantic date. Seafood, pizza, pasta and its grill are of the highest quality. Its flavor, its presentation and the quality of service remain unchanged since they founded the place. You can be sure that each visit will be always pleasant and delicious. Simply unmissable.
Santa Ana (506) 2282-7879 / Tres Ríos (506) 2272-1838
Facebook: www.facebook.com/andiamolacr
Instagram: @andiamolacr
Andiamo La, Santa Ana.
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Don Rufino, La Fortuna.
2. La Fortuna, Alajuela - Don Rufino
This is the best reason to leave your 5 star hotel in the beautiful city of La Fortuna and give yourself a true gastronomic feast. Don Rufino presents a wide range of elaborated dishes, prepared with local products of great quality. Rufino gives his diners so many options that his menu always changes and always surprises. Of the highlights of the restaurant is its perfectly prepared grilled meats: the New York steak with mushrooms is to die for. These culinary delicacies can be accompanied with one of the many fine wines Don Rufino has in his cellar. The service? Impeccable. All the staff is properly qualified to answer any questions about the menu and the wines with the best attitude, an attrition that is always appreciated and increasingly rare.
(506) 2479-9997
Facebook: www.facebook.com/donrufino
Instagram: @don_rufino
Don Rufino, La Fortuna
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Villa Deevena, Playa Negra, Guanacaste
3. Playa Negra, Guanacaste - Villa Deevena (French / seafood)
The Villa Deevena restaurant is a unique experience that seems created specifically to complement the informal and relaxed atmosphere of Playa Negra. The restaurant offers a varied menu of original dishes, prepared by the French chef Patrick Jamon, who worked for several years in the White House and then decided to retire in Costa Rica, fortunately for the locals. The menu includes fresh seafood, a very popular option for locals and foreigners to refresh the palate after a day at the beach. Its wine collection is spectacular, although it is not too big, it has the best of the best. An important detail that need to be mentioned is that they allow you to bring your own wine ( obviously you have to pay for the uncorking ), so you can enjoy dinner with it, something hard to find in Costa Rica. The service is truly warm and enjoyable, there is no better way of feeling comfortable while enjoying quality food.
(506) 2653-2328
Facebook: www.facebook.com/villadeevena
Instagram: @villadeevena
Villa Deevena, Playa Negra, Guanacaste
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Koji's, Santa Teresa
4. Santa Teresa, Guanacaste - Koji’s (Japanese)
Koji’s is a Japanese restaurant located at a key surfing point in the area, with a unique look and feel that makes it unforgettable, like the iconic candles placed in wine bottles on each table. They work with the freshest fish and seafood in the area, as well as vegetables, fruits and meats of local origin, guaranteeing a fresh and top quality product. So much so that they have been featured in reviews by the New York Times, Vogue and Lonely Planet, to name a few. In fact, it is the favorite restaurant of a very particular couple: Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen and her husband, 6-time Super Bowl winner, Tom Brady.
The service is from another world, all their waitresses are very qualified, they all speak many languages and share a very funny and special energy, very typical of the place. Live music is sometimes part of the night. There really is no excuse to miss the opportunity to experience this place when you visit Santa Teresa.
(506) 2640-0815
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kojisrestaurant
Instagram: @kojisrestaurant
Koji's, Santa Teresa
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La Pecora Nera, Puerto Viejo
5. Puerto Viejo, Limón - Pécora Nera (Italian)
La Pecora Nera (Italian for “black sheep”) has the luxury of opening its doors only for dinner, and it’s totally worth it. The best of authentic Italian cuisine served in a charming open-air restaurant, an unusual atmosphere on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. You will be personally attended by its chef and owner: Ilario, a very charismatic character who’s also really talented in the kitchen, do follow his recommendations.
The atmosphere of the place is something special, candles provide a romantic touch that can be complemented by the wide variety of wines. A true italian ristorante, in a very relaxed atmosphere,without a doubt something special. Easily one of the top 10 restaurants in Costa Rica. You can’t miss it!
(506) 2750-0490
www.facebook.com/La-pecora-nera-ristorante-1531576360427009/
Pecora Nera, Puerto Viejo
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Andiamo La, Santa Ana
1. San José - Andiamo La (Italiano)
Uno de los restaurantes más elegantes, populares y distinguidos del área metropolitana. La atmósfera que te acompaña nada mas subes las escalinata o rampa de acceso, te envuelve por completo para dejarte deleitar por la gastronomía y la arquitectura, dos de mis pasiones. Andiamo La es un lugar versátil, que se presta para disfrutar desde un almuerzo ejecutivo, un almuerzo en familia o una cita romántica.
Toda la materia prima es de la más alta calidad y se nota que nunca escatiman en tener la mejor materia prima del país. El sabor de sus platos, la presentación y el nivel del servicio se mantienen invariables desde que abrieron sus puertas al público. Puede estar seguro que cada visita siempre es agradable y deliciosa. Simplemente imperdible.
Santa Ana (506) 2282-7879 / Tres Ríos (506) 2272-1838
Facebook: www.facebook.com/andiamolacr
Instagram: @andiamolacr
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Don Rufino, La Fortuna
2. La Fortuna, Alajuela - Don Rufino
Es la mejor razón para salir de su hotel 5 estrellas en la bella ciudad de La Fortuna y darse un verdadero gusto gastronómico. Don Rufino presenta una amplia gama gastronómica elaborada, preparada con materia prima local de primera calidad. Rufino le da tantas opciones a sus comensales que su carta siempre cambia y siempre sorprende.
De lo más destacado que ofrece el restaurante son sus carnes a la parrilla perfectamente preparadas: el New York steak con hongos es para morirse. A estas exquisiteces culinarias las puede acompañar con uno de los tantos vinos de calidad que posee Don Rufino en su cava. ¿El servicio? Impecable. Todo el personal está debidamente preparado y calificado para atender cualquier consulta sobre el menú y los vinos con la mejor actitud, una atributo que siempre es apreciado y cada vez más poco frecuente.
(506) 2479-9997
Facebook: www.facebook.com/donrufino
Instagram: @don_rufino
Don Rufino, La Fortuna
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Villa Deveena, Playa Negra, Guanacaste
3. Playa Negra, Guanacaste - Villa Deevena (francés / mariscos)
El restaurante Villa Deevena es una experiencia al paladar que parece creada específicamente para complementarse con los gustos más exigentes dentro del ambiente informal y relajado de Playa Negra. El restaurante ofrece un menú variado de platos originales, preparados por el chef francés Patrick Jamon, quien trabajó por varios años en la Casa Blanca y decidió retirarse en Costa Rica, para fortuna para el país.
El menú incluye mariscos frescos, una opción muy apetecida para refrescar el paladar después de un día en la playa. Su colección de vinos es espectacular, si bien no es demasiado grande, posee lo mejor de lo mejor. Un detalle importante es que te permiten el descorche, para que disfrutes de la cena con tu propio vino, algo difícil de encontrar en Costa Rica. El servicio es verdaderamente cálido y ameno, no hay forma de no sentirse a gusto mientras se disfruta de comida de calidad.
(506) 2653-2328
Facebook: www.facebook.com/villadeevena
Instagram: @villadeevena
Deveena, Playa Negra, Guanacaste
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4. Santa Teresa, Guanacaste - Koji’s (japonés)
Koji’s es un restaurante japonés ubicado en el punto clave del surf de la zona, con un look and feel que lo hacen realmente único, como las icónicas velas en botellas de vino repartidas en cada mesa. Trabajan con los pescados y mariscos más frescos de la zona, así como verduras, frutas y carnes de origen local, garantizando un producto fresco y de primera calidad. Tanto es así que han sido mencionados en medios del peso de The New York Times, Vogue y Lonely Planet, por mencionar algunas.
De hecho, es el restaurante predilecto de una pareja particular: la super modelo brasileña Gisele Bundchen y su esposo, el 6 veces ganador del Super Bowl, Tom Brady. El servicio es de otro mundo, todas sus camareras están debidamente preparadas, manejan varios idiomas y proyectan una energía muy divertida y especial, muy típica del lugar. A veces hay música en vivo y las noches se pasan realmente bien. Realmente no hay excusa para dejar pasar la oportunidad de conocerlo cuando se visite Santa Teresa.
(506) 2640-0815
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kojisrestaurant
Instagram: @kojisrestaurant
Kojis
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Pecora Nera, Puerto Viejo
5. Puerto Viejo, Limón - Pécora Nera (Italiano)
La Pecora Nera (oveja negra en italiano) se da el lujo de abrir sus puertas únicamente para cenar, y vaya que vale la pena. Lo mejor de la auténtica cocina italiana servida en un encantador restaurante al aire libre, en un ambiente fuera de lo común en la costa caribeña de Costa Rica. Será atendido personalmente por el chef y propietario: Ilario, un personaje tan carismático como talentoso en la cocina, hágale caso a sus recomendaciones.
El ambiente del lugar es algo especial, decorado velas le da un toque romántico que puede complementar con la amplia variedad de vinos. Un restaurante sin pretensiones, en un ambiente relajado, pero sin lugar a dudas especial; fácilmente uno de los 10 mejores restaurantes de Costa Rica. No se lo puede perder.
(506) 2750-0490
www.facebook.com/La-pecora-nera-ristorante-1531576360427009/
Pecora Nera, Puerto Viejo
Tabacon, one of Costa Rica's top jewels
The Tabacón Gand Spa Thermal Resort is located in La Fortuna, a beautiful, small town 130kms (80miles) away from San José, in the Alajuela province
THE TABACÓN EXPERIENCE
Welcome to one of Central America's most relaxing resorts: Tabacón, home of Costa Rica's largest network of naturally flowing thermal mineral springs.
Just like in our previous blog post in Corcovado, I will share my personal experience with you.
People come from all over the world to relax in the healing warmth of the thermal springs, as the river that feeds those springs courses through a jungle dominated by the magnificent Arenal volcano, grumbling as though to remind visitors that the source of this wonder is much more powerful than them.
THE TRIP
But let's begin with 'getting there'. The Tabacón Gand Spa Thermal Resort is located in La Fortuna, a beautiful, small town 130kms (80miles) away from San José, in the Alajuela province. You can get there by car, in a small plane or even in a helicopter. But if you ask me, I'd tell you to drive there to get the most out of this multi-sensorial experience.
Is a 2.5 hour drive filled with breathtaking sights, once you leave San José you'll notice the green hills with dense clouds nested all across the road and cattle roaming around the mountains. On a clear day, you will definitely make a few stops to take some pictures. After that, the road begins to descend and merge across a tropical forest. The easiest way to describe it: you'll feel you just entered Jurassic Park. You know you're close to reach La Fortuna once you cross a large bridge, in a scenery that could easily be taken out of an Indiana Jones movie. I promise you, the whole journey is a show.
Once you arrive to La Fortuna, you'll see more movement, tourists, restaurants, and the typical church across the city park. This is where you'll have your first face to face encounter with the not-so-gentle giant: the mighty Arenal volcano. Tabacón is just 8kms (5miles) away.
THE SPRINGS
First off, expect the sounds and sights of the jungle at all times, native flora and fauna will flood your senses. It's amazing. They give you a white robe and slippers to walk around, in the middle of all these beautiful gardens, the feeling is really nice.
There are five different springs at Tabacón. Every pool is naturally heated: a thermal river (heated by the volcano) flows throughout the resort, the river pools in some places and trips over waterfalls in others. There is a cold river that flows through the resort as well, so you have cooler pools that contrast with the hot springs.
There's also a nice pool bar, where you can have some well-deserved drinks in the steaming water while watching amazing views from the volcano.
THE RESORT & SPA
In addition to the hot springs, Tabacón has a spa that offers lots of treatments, like full-body massages and volcanic mud wraps. This is probably the nicest spa I've ever been to. I mean, world class, in the middle of the jungle spa. You have to try it.
The suites are some of the country's finest. Most have a terrace, but in all of them you'll get either volcano or garden views. Hotel guests have access to an exclusive part of the resort. The hot springs and spa are close to the hotel, you can either walk from your room or take the resort's shuttle.
Believe me when I say this is the kind of experience everyone should have at least once in their lives.
LA EXPERIENCIA TABACÓN
Bienvenidos a uno de los centros turísticos más relajantes de América Central: Tabacón, hogar de la red de manantiales de aguas termales más grande de Costa Rica.
Al igual que en el blog anterior en Corcovado, compartiré con ustedes mi propia experiencia.
La gente viene de todas partes del mundo para relajarse en el calor curativo de las aguas termales, donde el río que alimenta estos manantiales recorre un bosque tropical dominado por el imponente volcán Arenal.
EL VIAJE
Comencemos por el viaje de ida. Tabacón está ubicado en La Fortuna, una hermosa ciudad a 130 km (80 millas) de San José, en la provincia de Alajuela. Se puede llegar en automóvil, avioneta o hasta en helicóptero. Pero si me preguntan, recomendaría hacer el viaje en auto para así aprovechar al máximo esta experiencia multisensorial.
Es un viaje de aproximadamente 2.5 horas, lleno de vistas impresionantes. Una vez fuera de San José, podrá observar las colinas cubiertas por densas nubes a lo largo de toda la carretera, mientras el ganado pasta tranquilamente. En un día despejado, definitivamente incluya algunas paradas para tomar fotos, la vista es impresionante.
Después de eso, el trayecto comienza a descender y poco a poco se asoma el inicio del bosque tropical. La forma más fácil de describirlo: se siente como estar en Jurassic Park por la densa y verde vegetación. Más adelante sabrá que está cerca de La Fortuna luego de cruzar un enorme puente, en un escenario que podría ser fácilmente tomado de una película de Indiana Jones. Todo el viaje es un espectáculo.
Una vez en La Fortuna, se aprecia mucho más movimiento, turistas, restaurantes y la típica iglesia en frente al parque del pueblo. Aquí es donde tendrá su primer encuentro cara a cara con el gigante, el poderoso volcán Arenal. Tabacón está a solo 8 km (5 millas) de distancia.
LAS TERMALES
Lo primero que se nota son los sonidos y las vistas de la selva tropical en todo momento, la flora y fauna nativas inundarán sus sentidos. Es asombroso.
Hay cinco manantiales diferentes en Tabacón. Todas las piscinas se calientan naturalmente gracias a un río termal (calentado por el volcán) que fluye a lo largo del complejo. También hay un río frío que regula la temperatura de las piscinas más frescas, que contrastan con las aguas termales.
Cuando llegas y pasas la recepción, te encuentras con la piscina principal y su barra, donde puedes disfrutar de tu bebida favorita sin salir de la propia piscina! Desde esa misma barra si miras a tu alrededor, te darás cuenta que el volcán Arenal domina el lugar, con una visual digna de un director de cine.
EL SPA
Además de las termales, Tabacón tiene EL SPA.
Para mi, esta parte del hotel necesitaría un blog completo, pero hay que tratar de ser práctico y resumido. Este es probablemente el mejor spa en el que he estado. Un oasis 5 estrellas de relajación corporal y mental en medio de la selva más profunda y bordeado por un río de aguas termales, no te lo puedes perder.
EL HOTEL
Las habitaciones del hotel las acaban de renovar en su totalidad, por lo que todas ellas cuentan un diseño actual y elegante. Por no hablar de los detalles: café Gourmet, incienso, aromatizador para las almohadas, frutas de bienvenida y todo ello con vistas siempre a la naturaleza.
En el resort te dan una cómoda bata blanca y zapatillas para usar, lo recomendable es usarlas para ir a las termales, de manera que el paseo por medio de la selva controlada, sea una experiencia todavía más surrealista e increíble.
Las aguas termales y el spa están cerca del hotel, puede caminar desde su habitación o tomar el servicio de traslado del hotel. Si te hospedas en el hotel, tienes acceso exclusivo a una zona solo para huéspedes.
Créanme cuando digo que este es el tipo de experiencia que todos deberían tener al menos una vez en sus vidas.
0.009% of Earth's surface with 5% of its biodiversity
What’s even more surprising is that a large part of that 5% biodiversity is found in a region of just 424 km2 (263 miles), in CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK, located southeast of the Osa Peninsula.
Travelling to Costa Rica without visiting Corcovado, would be like going to Paris and not going to the Eiffel tower.
It’s hard to explain, but Costa Rica ranks 129th in the world in terms of surface area. That is, 0.009% of the earth's surface. But if we measure it in terms of biodiversity, Costa Rica is on top of the list, with 5% of Earth’s biodiversity.
What’s even more surprising is that a large part of that 5% biodiversity is found in a region of just 424 km2 (263 miles), in CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK, located southeast of the Osa Peninsula.
Fortunately or unfortunately, there are very few people who take the time and sacrifice involved in reaching Corcovado. But once they do, none of them regret it and it's an experience that can change your life.
What is the Corcovado National Park?
The Corcovado National Park is one of the largest biodiversity reserves on the planet. A place where you can easily spot wildlife, from a jaguar to a tapir, anteaters, monkeys, birds of all kinds, etc.
It’s a close-to-impenetrable area and can only be accessed in the company of a local guide.
Planning and logistics
Like everything good in life, it takes time and effort.
I will describe my own experience, for someone who’s travelling to Costa Rica or someone who already lives here and has a car to enjoy the experience.
First, you need to get to Puerto Jiménez. Getting there from San José is a 6-hour drive, add to that a few stops along the way to rest and take some pictures.
Arriving to Puerto Jiménez
Once in Puerto Jiménez, you have to spend the night in one of the local cabins or hotels. My recommendation is not to think much about where to sleep that first night, this way you’ll get used to what’s coming.
The next day, an early rise, around 4 a.m. to meet with the local guide and driver previously hired. You’ll reach a point where the car can’t go on and you must walk from there. Since we decided to cover as much territory as possible without going back the same road, we hired someone to take our car from the starting point to the point of arrival.
Then we arrived to Karate beach and that's where the real experience begins!
From Karate beach to the La Sirena refuge there are 25 kms (15 miles). There, you’ll have time to experience and be amazed from the natural surroundings, with no more help than just a few bottles of water and you carry-on food.
Once you get to the shelter, you'll be surprised on how well organized it is, keep in mind you’ll need to have a reservation, due to the limited capacity it offers. There, you can enjoy a buffet-style dinner, a cold shower and a clean bed in bunk beds; all guests share the comfy space.
The next day you can enjoy and delve into the primary forest surrounding the refuge and keep delighting your senses with the many wonders that nature has to offer. Again, make sure you do this with your local guide. IT IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO GO AROUND THE PARK WITHOUT A GUIDE.
At 12:30 p.m. we headed to a place where a small boat picked us up, as if we were shipwrecked waiting for a rescue. Getting out of there is quite an experience, the captain is clearly used to breaking waves with the boat, but not us. You push against the open sea, so in most cases, the waves crash onto the boat getting everyone wet. But thanks to those waves, Costa Rica is one of the best known places in the world for surfing.
After one of the most impressive journeys of my life, going north from La Sirena, we arrived at a peaceful refuge called Drake Bay. There, the driver waits for us for our return to San José.
Why take the time to go to Corcovado?
Our daily struggles and routines often make us forget where we come from and what we really are.
It should be mandatory to go at least once in a lifetime to one of the world's natural reserves and experience a couple of days fully immersed in them, without anything else than what we can carry in a backpack plus a good mosquito repellent. The magnitude of what one is and what one lives, makes us really appreciate the important things in life.
Those who know me will probably ask themselves: "What is Iago doing in the middle of the jungle? He loves cars, collecting watches and live the life”
Well, that’s my point precisely, because if you don’t raise your foot off the accelerator and you take the time to look around, nothing makes sense.
But when you give yourself the opportunity, whether by chance or because you have planned it, to share, to experience and to coexist with nature, you realize just how big this is.
You feel different, you want different things and you love differently.
I invite you all to do it, whatever it takes, give yourself the time to try it. Whether it is walking barefoot on the lawn on a rainy day or daring to travel without any reservations. Many of you have probably done it, but many others have not even considered it. These are the first steps to start learning to remove the ties that the system dictates and start living differently.
BLUE ZONE
Blue Zones: specific regions of the world where its habitants live longer than the expected average (+100 years of age). The other 4 Blue Zones are: Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Icaria (Greece) and among the Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, California.
LIVING THE BLUE ZONE EXPERIENCE:
I’m really glad that my family and friends introduced me to this unique lifestyle, that although I could have obtained in essence, I wouldn’t have been able to materialize otherwise.
This is the type of experience that refreshes your soul. It makes you appreciate what’s really important in life, without giving up good gastronomy and a good cultural exchange. I can see how children who live according to this lifestyle are much more determined and smarter than those who live glued to an iPad.
After this experience, I was able to understand how the environment changes you, affects you and molds you. This is a clear example of how life is in Nicoya and why it is one of the 5 BLUE ZONES in the world.
WHAT IS A BLUE ZONE?
Nicoya, in Guanacaste, has a privileged climate and is one of the five zones in the world classified as Blue Zones: specific regions of the world where its habitants live longer than the expected average (+100 years of age). The other 4 Blue Zones are: Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Icaria (Greece) and among the Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, California.
Life expectancy is based on the local diet, climate and way of living. There is always a strong contact with nature and animals,and no trace of a sedentary life. Here families normally have their own crops, farms and cattle. Horseback riding is still one of the main means of transportation along with bicycles, and more recently motorbikes and cars.
BEFORE AND AFTER.
The truth is, when I first arrived in Costa Rica, I was a completely different person. Not in essence, but in form. I had more damage and evidently knew much less about the important things in life, about nature and the wonder of being able to enjoy and live with it.
The first time I arrived at my French family’s house in Costa Rica, I was amazed because I found something I had never seen before. I discovered luxuries I did not know of. To have a 360-degree view, a Bali-styled house made entirely of wood, which highlighted the greatness of the environment. There were no doors, no windows and no AC, but we had a house with a style that took over the essence of what is known as BLUE ZONE.
WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE THE BLUE ZONE LIFESTYLE
The beauty of this experience and the main thing we must understand is that having an expensive house or a cheap one will not affect the end result. The streets and the roads, the mountains, the beaches, the neighbors, the locals… they’re all the same for everyone. Wind and nature don’t make any distinctions. It is true though, that some will always live better than others even when they are in equal conditions, but that’s a matter of attitude and how to face life.
WHAT TYPE OF PROPERTIES CAN I FIND?
For all those who often ask themselves: how do you do it? Where is that? How much will it cost? How can I buy it? What do I need?
What really matters is invisible to what’s established by society.
There are still semi-virgin properties, where people with greatvision for a good quality of life have been building their houses. Where the roads are still dirt and vegetation take over the human imprint. Rather, it’s us humans who must learn to live in harmony and balance with nature, which we somehow come to alter and modify.
In the following images, you can see how one can build and develop housing in detail, right in the middle of a mountain with amazing ocean views.
A property like this, with running water and electricity, ready to capitalize your dream (and with the right contacts) can be on the $120,000 to $150,000 range. That’s 5,000 m2 (+16,000 ft2) in an organized "urbanization".
Once you own the property, it depends on the type of construction you want to build, from something modest (like awarm, cozy wooden cabin) to something much more detailed and elaborated, like the house in the photo, which was acquired several years ago for $2,5 million.
