Costa Rican Sodas

“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might better stay home.” —James Michener

When you visit Costa Rica and want a taste of good local food, you have to eat at a soda. Sodas are what Costa Ricans call restaurants that are usually small, family owned places that serve typical Costa Rican food at a very good price. Every town has a soda; you can find them everywhere, even on roads that seem to be in the middle of nowhere. Most of them hang a Pepsi or Imperial sign outside and are called something like “Soda Tipica”. It's where the locals eat.

Eating in a soda in Costa Rica is the best way to get a taste of true Costa Rican food and a glimpse into the life of a Tico (local). A typical menu at a soda includes: entradas (appetizers), casados, pasta, arrozes and platos fuertes. Platos fuertes are usually a whole fish, steak or other meat special of the day.