Volcán Tenorio, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
Photo by Sterling Lanier on Unsplash
Costa Rica for vegan & vegetarian travelers
Costa Rica is a welcoming destination for vegan and vegetarian travelers, with fresh produce, rice and beans, and health-conscious dining widely available. Tourist areas and cities offer many plant-based options.
Costa Rica
Vegan Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)
Vegetarian Friendliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Best For: Rice & beans, fresh produce, eco cafés
Challenging Because: Meat stock in traditional dishes
🥗 What to Eat
- Vegetarian-friendly: Gallo pinto, veggie casados, plantains
- Vegan-friendly: Gallo pinto (ask no butter), bean stews, fruit plates
🚫 Watch Out For
- Chicken stock in rice
- Eggs added to gallo pinto
🗣️ Survival Phrases
- I am vegetarian: Soy vegetariano/a (soy veh-heh-tah-ree-ah-no/na)
- I am vegan: Soy vegano/a (soy veh-gah-no/na)
- No meat: Sin carne (seen KAR-neh)
🧭 Veggie Trip Tip
Eco-lodges and surf towns are extremely plant-based friendly.
Capital – San Jose 🇨🇷
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