Pasta Traditions

• More than half of the pasta sold in Costa Rica features long shapes such as spaghetti or linguini. Another popular, traditional pasta dish is cannelloni, a tube-like pasta filled with meat, chicken, tuna, or cheese covered with egg and then fried. Children like pasta salads made with pasta shells and tuna!
• Pasta is usually consumed by Costa Ricans as a side dish. Only about 15% of the pasta served in the country is considered a main dish. Still, per capita consumption increased during the last decade, and Costa Ricans usually incorporate a pasta meal once a week. Annual per capita consumption is estimated to be near to 3.2 kg.
• Rice has always been the basis of local cuisine, but pasta has been positioned as a healthy alternative to diversify local eating habits.

Food Facts

• Costa Rican cuisine is based on rice and beans, plus vegetables such as cabbage, garlic, and tomatoes.
• Gallo pinto (“spotted rooster’) is the national dish of fried rice and beans. It is a common breakfast.
• Popular main dishes in Costa Rica are arroz guacho (sticky rice); higado en salsa (beef liver salsa); pozole (soup with chiles, pork, generic viagra and vegetables); papas con chorizo (chorizo sausage with potatoes); frito (pork stew); and ceviche.

Food Facts

• Life expectancy in Costa Rica is 77 years, and is one of the highest in the world.
• Many people in Costa Rica give coffee to babies (in their bottles) and young children.
• The sun rises and sets at around the same time every day of the year!