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With an atmosphere as fun and funky as the luchadora (Mexican wrestler) legend for which it's named, everyone will have a great time and an even better meal at this Mexican cantina. A large garden strung with lights beckons to families, and the long bar is a great place to try some churros after your meal.
Nosara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Known For
- Gorgeous garden with kids' playground
- Taco Tuesday specials
- Jalapeño margaritas
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A romantic setting, ocean breezes, and a creative Italian menu make this the one of the most popular restaurants in Sámara. By day, rustic wooden tables are shaded by white sails strung between palms; by night, diners bask in the glow of white globe lamps and light-festooned trees. You can sit under a covered area or out on the sand. The soundtrack is trendy, and the food is good too. Gusto starts the morning at 8 with great espresso and croissants; the rest of the day, there are salads, burgers, Italian fries sprinkled with Parmesan and pepper, and, of course, pizzas. Service is efficient and executed with style. Menu prices do not include the obligatory 25% tax and service.
Sámara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Known For
- Tuna tartare
- Prosecco
- Toes-in-the-sand dining
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This hip beach café has exactly the kind of ambience one comes to Costa Rica for, with tables scattered along the beach amid palm and almond trees, hammocks swinging in the wind, palm fronds rustling, and surfers riding the glistening waves in front. Seating, or more precisely, lolling, is on reclining, African-style hardwood chairs, or at shaded tables. Along with fresh fruit smoothies, ultrathin vegetarian pizzas, and veggie soy burgers, the menu includes organic chicken and "responsible fish" (caught in nets that don't also trap turtles). Seared ahi tuna with sun-dried tomatoes and olive tapenade served on ciabatta bread is a winner, as are the ceviche, fish-and-chips, pesto pasta, and assorted salads. Mahi tacos are the latest addition to the menu, served with rice and beans.
At main entrance to Playa Avellanas, Playa Avellanas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Known For
- Ave and Ana the pigs, their mascots
- Great spot to camp out for the day
- Flatbread pizza, fresh-fruit smoothies, and organic meats
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For the freshest, tastiest, and most affordable seafood in town, make a beeline to this fish market and restaurant that also features the most entertaining chefs. A trio of cheerful Canadian expats shucks, slices, grills, and prepares fresh local oysters, sashimi, grilled fish fillets doused in ginger and sesame dressing, savory fish cakes, and refreshing ceviche. The velvety, flavorful fish pâté is addictive. Take a seat at the counter inside and enjoy the buzz and banter in the open kitchen, or sit at an umbrella-shaded table under palms in the courtyard. There are other restaurants in the Central Valley with the Product C name, but this is the true original.
Centro Commercial Playa Carmen, at Cruce, Santa Teresa, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Known For
- "candied" tuna with pineapple glaze
- Friday-night live music
- Ice-cold craft beer
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends. No dinner
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As if the breathtaking view high in the hills above Playas del Coco weren't enough (you may recognize it from its feature on the television series Restaurants on the Edge), the innovative menu at one of the few oyster bars in Costa Rica takes it a step further. Try the oysters raw or grilled or order the tuna nachos alongside a spicy ginger margarita or watermelon mojito. More creative dishes include avocado fries with chipotle dip, lobster grilled cheese, Korean beef tacos, and the ahi tuna sticky rice bowl. Come for happy hour from 1 to 3 and stay until the sun goes down. Reservations are recommended for sunset dining.
Rooftop of Chantel Suites, up hill in Vista Marina, Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Known For
- Fresh raw oysters, delivered Wednesday
- Tuna poke bowl
- 17 Monkey Head Brewing company beers on tap
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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The hammocks, palapas, pool, and beach here are open to the public, so take a dip, grab some beach food, and take in a sunset, all the while trying to spot some red macaws. Showers, toilets, tables, chairs, towels, and more are available for use with a $70 minimum food and beverage purchase.
Islita Beach, Punta Islita, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Known For
- Ubiquitous seafood, particularly whole red snapper
- Patacones
- Brick-oven pizza
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Vestiges of the original Swiss-French owners linger on at this bakery and alfresco eatery, open for breakfast and lunch. In addition to hearty sandwiches, the café serves burritos, bowls, and salads. It's a good place to cool off, and perk up, with a café frappé (espresso blended with bananas and ice cream). The adjoining bakery is great for take-out beach picnics, with French-style bread and an array of pastries and tarts, including chocolate mousse. There's free Wi-Fi.
Main road, on corner of Playa Guiones entrance, Nosara, Guanacaste, 50206, Costa Rica
Known For
- Lunch with a dip in the pool
- Bakery goodies like baguettes, tarts, and pastries
- Coffee and espresso
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Café closed Sun. No dinner
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The best perch along the Paseo de los Turistas is a table on the breezy veranda of this updated seafood and grill restaurant with a beach view. The menu is modern, with starters like salads, ceviches, and huge disks of patacones (fried, squashed platanos), served with frijoles and shredded beef. Along with the classic fish fillet grilled with butter and fresh garlic, there's a spicier option with a jalapeño and fresh tomato sauce, as well as tuna in teriyaki sauce and grilled salmon. Grilled beef and barbecue pork ribs will satisfy meat eaters. Save room for flan de coco, dense and creamy with toasted coconut and caramel sauce. This place has polished service, with friendly, attentive waiters.
Puntarenas, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Known For
- Sea bass ceviche
- Seafood grill
- South American, Italian, and Spanish wines
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Montezuma’s first natural-food restaurant is named after the chewy dried bananas made by the owners, who also own the upscale Ylang Ylang resort on the beach. This popular eatery serves the best vegetarian fare in town, including scrambled tofu for breakfast and excellent wraps, salads, fajitas, and spring rolls, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. You can enjoy a delicious Mocha Chiller, made with frozen yogurt, or a fruit smoothie made with local coconut milk. The homemade cakes and pies are scrumptious. The standout is the Chocolate Volcano, a mountain of ice cream atop cake, with a lava of chocolate sauce. For vegans, there's a nondairy chocolate mousse. A shaded garden terrace behind the restaurant is cool and pleasant, but bring mosquito repellent. A battalion of ceiling fans keeps the air moving in the spacious dining room decorated with murals of tropical beach scenes.
Main road, Montezuma, Puntarenas, 60111, Costa Rica
Known For
- Sandwich with chicken and patacones (smashed and fried plantains)
- Great people-watching
- Super breakfasts
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Literally, the coolest place in town is this blissfully air-conditioned ice-cream parlor with an array of refreshing Italian gelato flavors, cool fruit smoothies, and milk shakes. It's airy and bright, with large windows looking onto the main street and an outdoor terrace. Lavazza coffee is served, along with homemade Italian savories, including toasted panini and bruschetta. This air-conditioned space in town makes a welcome retreat from the heat.
Southeast corner of main street and beach road, Montezuma, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Known For
- A variety of gelatos to cool you off
- Good selection of panini
- Lavazza coffee
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Robin's is famous for homemade ice cream in an array of tempting flavors—the Mayan Chocolate is a standout—along with refreshing tropical-fruit sorbets. This casual patio café also serves breakfast all day and lunch and dinner options like overstuffed veggie quesadillas, pad thai rolls, and yummy vegan veggie burgers. Locals line up to buy the dense, fudgy brownies when they come out of the oven. Gluten-free brownies and cookies are also on offer.
Road to Playa Guiones, 25 m west of Banco Popular, Nosara, Guanacaste, 50206, Costa Rica
Known For
- Tasty sandwiches on home-baked bread
- Gluten-free options
- Fudgy brownies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, No credit cards
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This health hub in the heart of Samara has everything to make your vacation green and full of goodness. A juice bar, falafel stand, fitness center, and health-food store are just a few of the offerings. You can grab baked goods, fruits and veggies, jams, cheeses, and plenty of gluten-free and vegan goodies to go.
Sámara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Known For
- Healthy treats
- Homemade crafts
- Local and organic foods
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This modern glass building seems almost out of place on the road connecting Liberia to the coast. Filling a void in healthy cuisine, the restaurant serves wraps, salads, sushi, and sandwiches such as organic chicken with fresh basil. Vegetarians have plenty of options, including veggie skewers, orzo salad, spring rolls, asparagus soup, or a portobello sandwich. The bruschetta, tacos, and burgers are particularly delicious, while the seafood dishes are hit or miss. The prices are much higher than what you’ll find in central Liberia, but it’s a good stop for a quick bite.
Hwy. 21, on road to airport in front of Pájaro Azul, Liberia, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Known For
- Tasty bruschetta brought to every table
- A variety of vegetarian options
- Fresh juices
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
