Costa Rica has many traditional and delicious foods and beverages. There is no better way to experience the culture than to go to a small family owned restaurant (soda), and order the local food and drink while engaging in conservation with Costa Ricans (in spanish!) Here are some must-haves from the Costa Rican cuisine. 
1. Christmas tamale - Tamales are dough made from corn with pork, spices, beans, vegetables, and rice boiled in a plantain leaf. Families typically make lots of tamales during the Christmas season.
2. Guaro - Sugarcane alcohol.
3. Casado - A typical, large and very inexpensive plate served at at local restaurants or ’sodas.’ Usually consists of rice, beans, meat or fish, salad, and platanos.
4. Coffee- Costa Rica produces some of the world’s best coffee.
5. Fruit and fruit juices - Banana, papayas, mangoes, mamonchinos, coconuts and an abundance of other locally grown fruits and their juices are a must have on a hot day.
6. Natilla - Sour cream like condiment, often served with gallo pinto.
7. Gallo Pinto - Rice and beans dish, made with onions, spices and herbs, typically served for breakfast.
8. Salsa Lazano - A bottled sauce with a unique taste, found at supermarkets
9. Platanos (fried ripened, yellow plantains) and Patacones (fried unripened, green plaintains)
10. Olla de Carne - Typical Costa Rica soup, made with large pieces of meats (beef) and vegetables (potatoes, plantains, ect).
